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This Is Why I Don’t Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Why I Don't Support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Why I don’t support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Why I Don't Support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Sweater: Madewell (old), similar here ($69.50) and here ($88)
Wide-Leg Pants: Uniqlo (old), similar here ($59.99)
White Boots: Franco Sarto ($89.99)
Bag: Moda Luxe ($80, get extra 20% off with code RACHML20)
Sunglasses: Sunglass Warehouse

Don’t Support Breast Cancer Awareness

It’s October which means it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM). But you want to know something? I don’t support breast cancer awareness. I know it might sound strange that someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer doesn’t support breast cancer awareness. You’d think without question that I would be all for it.

Many of us breast cancer thrivers and survivors actually support something else. Something far more important than breast cancer awareness. I support breast cancer research. This means I want to support organizations that put a majority of their donations towards advanced research, better treatments, helping cancer patients and ultimately finding a cure to breast cancer.

Why I Don't Support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Why I Don’t Support Awareness

I don’t support awareness because we all know that breast cancer exists. It is the most common cancer among women. Spreading awareness will not save lives. Maybe it is me being selfish, but I want an organization to cure me so that my husband and I no longer live in fear.

And to be honest, I can spread awareness without donating money. Part of me doesn’t understand why some nonprofit organizations need money for awareness or need money to tell people to do a self breast exam and/or get a mammogram. Or even better, that they know how to ‘prevent cancer’. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

Let me tell you, if there was a way to prevent cancer…. no one would get cancer. Unfortunately, I met all the requirements to avoid/lessen the risk of getting cancer. I basically had an incredibly small chance of getting cancer, and guess what… I got cancer. And it made me realize that ‘awareness’ organizations did not help and will not help. So it got me thinking, how about we help those who have cancer… ya know after malignant tumors are discovered from self-exams, mammograms, ultrasounds, and scans. We want to stop worrying about our lives or treatments that changed our quality of life.

Facts About Breast Cancer

I’ll admit that before I had breast cancer, I was not aware of the severity. Maybe because I was not fully educated about this disease. And hopefully these facts help you understand it better too.

  • Breast Cancer is more aggressive with young adults (unfortunately, I fall in that category)
  • There are several different types of breast cancer – breast cancer is a general term to categorize the cancer.
  • 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer
  • 1 in 3 women with breast cancer will metastasize (doesn’t matter if original diagnosis was a stage 1, 2, or 3).
  • Metastized breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread outside of the breast. This is immediately diagnosed as stage 4 breast cancer.
  • Stage 4 Breast Cancer (metastasized breast cancer) is terminal.
  • About 5-10% of breast cancer cases are due to genetic mutations (I do not fall in this category either. Despite being tested for 6 gene mutations).

Here is a visual to get a better understanding of the severity of stage 4 breast cancer.

What I Support

Can you now see why I don’t support breast cancer awareness? It is more about advanced research, better treatment options, and finding a cure. The 1 in 3 chance to metastasize are huge odds that I wish didn’t exist. Unfortunately, I’ve known too many women around my age that have metastasized and I have friends that passed away from Stage 4 breast cancer. It’s a hard journey and an unfair one. None of these women deserved it. I’ve cried for them and selfishly for myself. Their journey feels all too real. And with my scare a couple weeks ago, it ignited my passion to find a cure.

Why I Don't Support Breast Cancer Awareness. Why I Don't Support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Who To Support

When I mentioned about finding the right breast cancer organization, many of you asked me to share which ones I currently support.

What I look for in an organization is where does the money go (advanced research or supporting cancer patients) and how much of their donated money goes towards their cause. Below is a list of organizations I love to support. Of course, I’m open to supporting more!

Please know that this is my opinion regarding breast cancer awareness. My perspective changed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I do hope that whatever organization you do support to just be mindful where the money is going, how the money is going to be used, and that ultimately the money you will donate is doing good.

xo RD

 

 

Comments

  1. Jillian says

    Thank you so much for sharing your empowering story and shedding light on this. I totally agree that we should be raising funds for research, rather than just talking about it. You’ve journeyed through so much and you’re such a light for women who are going through the same thing,
    XO Jillian
    http://www.cupofcharisma.com

    Reply

  3. Cathy says

    I’m sorry you went through this. While research is the most important thing we should support when it comes to breast cancer, awareness does help get the word out to people who don’t have access to regular healthcare so they can learn how to early detect.

    XOXO
    Cathy

    Reply

  4. sarah lindner says

    Wow, what an inspiring post! I couldn’t agree more that we need to start supporting and funding for Breast Cancer research not just aweareness. Thank you for sharing and taking us along on your journey.

    P.S. Your outfit is fabulous!!

    xoxo Sarah

    Reply

  7. Kim says

    I agree with this post so much. I 100% think we should be focusing on the research and not just making people aware. We all know about breast cancer, but how can we help! Thank you for sharing your story!

    xoxo,
    Kim

    Reply

  8. anorence says

    Hi, I’m really sorry about your breast cancer. My mum has a brain cancer so I can completely understand your opinion about breast cancer awareness…
    I send you a lot of love (and I really love your outfit)

    Xxx

    Reply

  9. rebecca says

    I had not thought about this from this angle before and I totally see where you are coming from!!! Gorgeous photos and you go girl for kicking cancer <3

    Reply

  11. Valerie says

    This is such a great post! I totally agree with your views in which more funding needs to be towards better treatment and finding a cure. Also thank you so much for including these cancer facts…we all definitely need to understand them better! Thank you for sharing your story!

    http://roadesque.com

    Reply

  12. Jenn says

    Thanks so much for sharing! You raise a very good point Rach! You know how passionate and invested I am in cancer research 🙌🏾.The process is slow and the medical advances thus far, feel so small and frustrating. Meanwhile what can we do? On a global scale, I think there is definitely still a great need for funds across the continuums of care-in breast cancer research AND including the areas of cancer awareness, early detection & treatment in the USA and more so, in countries with low incomes, poor health initiatives and poor health literary. Unfortunately, even in the USA, not all of us know what breast cancer is, not really. It’s mind blowing but some of my patients have surprised me! This demographic still need access to reliable information and most importantly free mammograms and screening these funds provide for detection/ diagnosis to get these folks on their treatment path and hopefully someday, a cure. But YES to cancer research and also removing the stigma behind clinics research!!Love your strength and grace through your cancer journey! Always so inspiring.💕

    Reply

    • Hi Jenn, thank you so much for you sharing your knowledge and helping me understand & become more aware of countries with low incomes! This is the kind of information I like to learn and I really appreciate you taking the time to educate me! You are an amazing person and amazing at what you do!

      Reply

  15. Laura || Walking in Memphis in High Heels says

    This is truly a great way to explain why you’re not supporting BCA. But you’re right, we need more research, money going to research. I’ve supported the American Cancer Society always, it’s how I know it’ll go towards research and be used for good. Thank you for sharing this <3

    Reply

  17. Gentry says

    As someone who had breast cancer your perspective is really interesting and definitely gave me pause for thought! Thank you for speaking up about how you feel! It is very insightful!

    Reply

  18. Em says

    Thanks for sharing form this perspective – it’s not something I would have ever thought about but you have great points! Thanks again for opening up and sharing! xx

    Reply

  19. Laura says

    I totally agree that we need to start supporting and funding Breast Cancer research not just awareness. I so appreciate you sharing your story and your knowledge!!

    xo, Laura

    Reply

  24. Jessica says

    You have raised really good points here dear. And I couldn’t agree more. Breast cancer is so prevalent right now. We need the cure asap. So yes, let’s support institution that actually does the research and development of these treatments. Thanks for sharing this dear.

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

    Reply

  25. Jamaria Johnson says

    I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us on this platform. It’s important for us to be well informed. Xo

    Reply

  26. Lyddiegal says

    I think you are right to not support breast cancer awareness. Awareness isn’t saving any lives. And people need to be very careful who they donate too, I think a lot of places are not very reputable and only a small fraction of the donation actually gets to those it can help.
    Chic on the Cheap

    Reply

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