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Pink Ribbon Blues

How breast cancer culture undermines women's health

Health
“Period, End of Discussion?” Not So Fast

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on September 23, 2015

An interview on NPR’s Fresh Air yesterday between Terry Gross and Dr. Elisa Port, chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, touched upon breast cancer screening, cancer spread, surgical removal of a healthy breast, genetic testing, and general changes in treatment over the years. Unfortunately, it missed the boat on the most hot-button issue of all. Evidence.

An interview on NPR’s Fresh Air yesterday between Terry Gross and Dr. Elisa Port, chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, touched upon breast cancer screening, cancer spread, surgical removal of a healthy breast, genetic testing, and general changes in treatment over the years. Unfortunately, it missed the boat on the most hot-button issue of all. Evidence.

Cross-Cultural Psychology
Pink Ribbon Purge

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on May 3, 2015

I’ve been researching and writing about breast cancer for so many years that I’ve accumulated a plethora of pink-ribbon-themed items. I’m finished with the baggage. Taking control of my surroundings has been very freeing!

I’ve been researching and writing about breast cancer for so many years that I’ve accumulated a plethora of pink-ribbon-themed items. I’m finished with the baggage. Taking control of my surroundings has been very freeing!

Sex
Shaping Women's Lives: Our Bodies, Ourselves

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on March 30, 2015

"Our Bodies, Ourselves" is listed in the Library of Congress "Books That Shaped America.” Since its original publication more than 40 years ago, the book set a foundation for evidence-based, culturally appropriate information on women’s health, sexuality, and reproduction. Co-author Judy Norsigian says, “Gatekeepers no longer have the control they had in the past.”

"Our Bodies, Ourselves" is listed in the Library of Congress "Books That Shaped America.” Since its original publication more than 40 years ago, the book set a foundation for evidence-based, culturally appropriate information on women’s health, sexuality, and reproduction. Co-author Judy Norsigian says, “Gatekeepers no longer have the control they had in the past.”

Attention
The Unbearable Weight of the Pink Ribbon

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on March 2, 2015

Former writer for the L.A. Times Laurie Becklund, age 66, died on February 8th from metastatic breast cancer. As she lay dying, she wrote a scathing op-ed, published after her death, denouncing breast cancer 'awareness.' Indeed, most awareness campaigns overlook several key facts about breast cancer, facts that make a world of difference. #Metsmonday.

Former writer for the L.A. Times Laurie Becklund, age 66, died on February 8th from metastatic breast cancer. As she lay dying, she wrote a scathing op-ed, published after her death, denouncing breast cancer 'awareness.' Indeed, most awareness campaigns overlook several key facts about breast cancer, facts that make a world of difference. #Metsmonday.

Genetics
"Waiting for Cancer to Come"

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on January 9, 2015

"Waiting for Cancer to Come" weaves together women’s beliefs and experiences of genetic testing and its impact on their lives, families, and futures. The author shares detailed accounts of how women prepared for genetic testing, made sense of the results, and made decisions about what to do with the information and cope with the aftermath.

"Waiting for Cancer to Come" weaves together women’s beliefs and experiences of genetic testing and its impact on their lives, families, and futures. The author shares detailed accounts of how women prepared for genetic testing, made sense of the results, and made decisions about what to do with the information and cope with the aftermath.

Decision-Making
Independent Journalist Opts Out of Screening Mammograms

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on December 15, 2014

Independent journalist Christie Aschwanden explains in the Journal of the American Medical Association how she decided (without the help of her doctor) to opt out of screening mammograms, not just in her 40s but indefinitely.

Independent journalist Christie Aschwanden explains in the Journal of the American Medical Association how she decided (without the help of her doctor) to opt out of screening mammograms, not just in her 40s but indefinitely.

Fear
Why I Voted for a Frack Free Denton

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on November 26, 2014

Denton, TX became the first city in The Lone Star state to put a legal limit on what it will permit the gas and oil industry to do within its borders. As a sociologist, the lead up to the vote was fascinating. As a citizen and resident, it was scary to see a politically supported industry focus its attention so squarely on putting the kibosh on informed enfranchisement.

Denton, TX became the first city in The Lone Star state to put a legal limit on what it will permit the gas and oil industry to do within its borders. As a sociologist, the lead up to the vote was fascinating. As a citizen and resident, it was scary to see a politically supported industry focus its attention so squarely on putting the kibosh on informed enfranchisement.

Career
Rethinking Pink: How This Work Started, and Why It Continues

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on September 29, 2014

It all started with Cathy. Then after Rachel came into my life I knew the critical stance I had taken on the culture and industry surrounding breast cancer would keep going until meaningful change became a reality.

It all started with Cathy. Then after Rachel came into my life I knew the critical stance I had taken on the culture and industry surrounding breast cancer would keep going until meaningful change became a reality.

Race and Ethnicity
The Teal Before The Pink: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on September 2, 2014

Although September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month you won’t see the White House lighted in teal, store shelves lined with teal-colored products, or many schools attempting to raise awareness of the disease. Pink has been the color of choice when it comes to cause support.

Although September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month you won’t see the White House lighted in teal, store shelves lined with teal-colored products, or many schools attempting to raise awareness of the disease. Pink has been the color of choice when it comes to cause support.

Decision-Making
Decision-Making in the Midst of Medical Un/Certainty

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on August 7, 2014

When overtreatment enters the picture, public discussion tends to fracture as consumer choice butts heads with emerging evidence, existing protocols, embedded interests, and social forces. So it is with Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy (CPM) - the removal of both the breast where breast cancer cells have been found and the healthy breast on the other side.

When overtreatment enters the picture, public discussion tends to fracture as consumer choice butts heads with emerging evidence, existing protocols, embedded interests, and social forces. So it is with Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy (CPM) - the removal of both the breast where breast cancer cells have been found and the healthy breast on the other side.

Health
A Call For Elevated Science and Honorable Dialogue

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on July 10, 2014

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the possible retraction of two papers in an international medical journal, more than 500 people from 30 countries write an open letter to The BMJ.

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the possible retraction of two papers in an international medical journal, more than 500 people from 30 countries write an open letter to The BMJ.

Sex
Documenting the Invisible Scars of Breast Cancer Treatment

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on June 30, 2014

Some breast cancer treatments leave visible scars. Others, though common and devastating, are rendered invisible both by the medical frameworks that fail to document them and the public discussions that drown them out with rhetoric. Two taboo topics in breast cancer? sexuality and side effects. An anthropologist in Spain breaks the silence.

Some breast cancer treatments leave visible scars. Others, though common and devastating, are rendered invisible both by the medical frameworks that fail to document them and the public discussions that drown them out with rhetoric. Two taboo topics in breast cancer? sexuality and side effects. An anthropologist in Spain breaks the silence.

Media
Is This Science or Censorship?

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on May 30, 2014

There are two parts to this story. The first involves a scientific debate about new guidelines for prescribing cholesterol-lowering drugs. The second is about threats to that scientific debate, as an industry heavyweight in support of the guidelines holds court in mass media to demand retraction of two research articles that call for a more cautious approach.

There are two parts to this story. The first involves a scientific debate about new guidelines for prescribing cholesterol-lowering drugs. The second is about threats to that scientific debate, as an industry heavyweight in support of the guidelines holds court in mass media to demand retraction of two research articles that call for a more cautious approach.

Consumer Behavior
The Cause Marketing Dilemma

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on April 24, 2014

When a slogan is plastered on everything from fuzzy slippers to coffee mugs to promote solidarity and support a cause, consumers should consider five potential pitfalls in addition to mission match, company transparency, charity legitimacy, and the benefits of cutting out the middle-person to go straight to the source.

When a slogan is plastered on everything from fuzzy slippers to coffee mugs to promote solidarity and support a cause, consumers should consider five potential pitfalls in addition to mission match, company transparency, charity legitimacy, and the benefits of cutting out the middle-person to go straight to the source.

Consumer Behavior
Kohl’s Cash for the Cure Pretties Up Breast Cancer

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on March 7, 2014

A Kohl’s-Komen campaign uses the breast cancer brand to create a cause marketing relationship that helps the company build a reputation as a good corporate citizen, deepen employee loyalty and increase sales. Does the partnership help the breast cancer cause and do any good for the real elephant in the room?

A Kohl’s-Komen campaign uses the breast cancer brand to create a cause marketing relationship that helps the company build a reputation as a good corporate citizen, deepen employee loyalty and increase sales. Does the partnership help the breast cancer cause and do any good for the real elephant in the room?

Anxiety
"A Breast Cancer Alphabet"

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on February 11, 2014

A straightforward, concise, and honest book that breathes new life into a breast cancer world too often drowning in symbolism, cliche, and product placement. Each letter shares a glimpse of how news executive Madhulika Sikka made sense of, and navigated, her breast cancer but also opens a new conversation about one of the most talked about diseases in American culture.

A straightforward, concise, and honest book that breathes new life into a breast cancer world too often drowning in symbolism, cliche, and product placement. Each letter shares a glimpse of how news executive Madhulika Sikka made sense of, and navigated, her breast cancer but also opens a new conversation about one of the most talked about diseases in American culture.

Ethics and Morality
Are There Ethics to Tweeting Your Illness?

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on January 15, 2014

There is a major kerfuffle in mass media right now about two journalists, and a blogger with metastatic breast cancer. Guardian columnist Emma Keller and her husband, former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller, wrote opinion pieces about Lisa Bonchek Adams, a woman living with metastatic breast cancer who writes about her life on her blog and via Twitter.

There is a major kerfuffle in mass media right now about two journalists, and a blogger with metastatic breast cancer. Guardian columnist Emma Keller and her husband, former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller, wrote opinion pieces about Lisa Bonchek Adams, a woman living with metastatic breast cancer who writes about her life on her blog and via Twitter.

Cognition
Amy Robach Story Spreads Heartfelt Misinformation

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on December 10, 2013

After Good Morning America's Amy Robach announced that her on-air mammogram got her a breast cancer diagnosis, the correspondent's “I got lucky by catching it early” so “every woman should get a mammogram" message spread like wildfire. Between the emotional story and the ongoing mammogram wars, plain truths about breast cancer (e.g. biology and evidence) keep getting lost.

After Good Morning America's Amy Robach announced that her on-air mammogram got her a breast cancer diagnosis, the correspondent's “I got lucky by catching it early” so “every woman should get a mammogram" message spread like wildfire. Between the emotional story and the ongoing mammogram wars, plain truths about breast cancer (e.g. biology and evidence) keep getting lost.

Health
The Mammogram Myth, Alive and Well on "Good Morning America"

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on November 14, 2013

Good Morning America's Amy Robach announced that the on-air mammogram she had as part of the show's breast cancer awareness promotion, ended up getting her a diagnosis. It remains to be seen whether the mammogram will make a life-saving difference, but the fanfare surrounding her diagnosis adds to the confusion about the potential benefits and harms of universal screening.

Good Morning America's Amy Robach announced that the on-air mammogram she had as part of the show's breast cancer awareness promotion, ended up getting her a diagnosis. It remains to be seen whether the mammogram will make a life-saving difference, but the fanfare surrounding her diagnosis adds to the confusion about the potential benefits and harms of universal screening.

Consumer Behavior
Cause Marketing Is Not Philanthropy

Gayle A. Sulik M.A., Ph.D. on October 27, 2013

The month of October fills the marketplace with pink-ribboned products and breast-cancer-awareness-themed events and fundraisers. Many people ask, “Where does the money go?” No one seems to know. In the midst of it all, cause marketing is cast as everything from the saving grace, the necessarily evil, to the pinkwashing pilferer. There is probably some truth to each.

The month of October fills the marketplace with pink-ribboned products and breast-cancer-awareness-themed events and fundraisers. Many people ask, “Where does the money go?” No one seems to know. In the midst of it all, cause marketing is cast as everything from the saving grace, the necessarily evil, to the pinkwashing pilferer. There is probably some truth to each.