Boobies

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer awareness month? I thought all summer was breast cancer awareness month as it seems to be featured on so many campaigns and fundraisers and pink ribbons are everywhere. Why is it that breast cancer gets so much publicity? You would think that breast cancer was the leading cancer in Canada, yet it is number 3 for new cases, and number 2 for deaths (in Canada). Do you know what number one is for new cases and for deaths? Anyone? Anyone at all?

If you guessed lung cancer you would be half right; lung cancer is number two for new cases and by far number one for deaths...so smokers PAY attention! Lung cancer is by FAR the most likely cancer to KILL you, yet people aren't as keen to raise money for it...there is no yellow stained ribbon on sale for lung cancer.

Number one for new cases though is prostate cancer. A cancer that only affects men. A cancer that is hard to self diagnose, although a blood test (PSA test) may help with early diagnoses...but you have to pay for it....although I don't think it is expensive. You would think the number ONE cancer in Canada would get more publicity, research and testing.

Another serious cancer in Canada? Colorectal cancer; a cancer that is evenly spread between men and women, and that is estimated to have almost as many new cases as there will be breast cancer, and almost double the deaths...but no brown ribbons for colorectal cancer.

So why is it that breast cancer gets so many more fund raisers and so much more publicity?

Is it because it seems like one of the more treatable/hopeful cancers, with the possibility of curing patients more likely? Everyone likes to back a winner...

Or is it because everyone likes boobies?

Is it human nature to want to save the women over the men? (Breast Cancer is the number 2 killer of women in Canada after lung cancer)

Or is it that the people that have the other types of cancer would rather not talk about it? That I can get too.

I personally would rather have a colon and lungs than a boob....and I am sure Rob would prefer a prostate, lungs and a colon over boobs too (they estimate 50 men will die of breast cancer in 2009 in Canada). Plus boobs can be rebuilt...not sure if the other three organs can be.

Perhaps the colon and prostate people need to come up with a cute mascot for their cause...so people won't feel they need to think about the body part itself.

We can have Colin Colon and Prostate Pete! And they can have large chested girl friends! That will get attention...it always comes back to the boobs.

Karen