Most cancers and diseases have awareness months or weeks tied to them, and while they can be good to fundraise or educate people about the disease, not all diseases get the same recognition, according to members of our audience.
These observances provide an opportunity for people to share their thoughts, experiences and hopes of bringing awareness to all different cancer types.
In a recent #CUREConnect post on social media, we asked our audience how they felt about cancer awareness months. Here’s what they had to say:
Education about a type of cancer every week…rare cancers get little to no exposure. VIPoma neuroendocrine, for example.” — Daphne S.
According to Cancer Research UK, one person in every 10 million are diagnosed with VIPoma every year. Since many individuals don’t typically get diagnosed with this rare cancer, it is less talked about compared to cancers that are much more common.
Similarly, another audience member stated, “There needs to be more awareness for all types of cancer. A month takes away from how significant this disease is. Cancer is a mystery and maybe.” — Instagram user, IGotThis610
One audience member, Fran S., discussed how all cancers deserve a month, alongside the unity that needs to form for every type of cancer.
“As a (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) survivor, I welcome a month for ALL cancers. It seems that breast cancer gets all the attention and money for research. We need to unite all cancers, make people aware of all of them How many people are aware that September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month?”
Breast cancer affects almost 300,000 individuals each year, according to the American Cancer Society. As this cancer is one of the most diagnosed, some believe it receives more recognition than those that aren’t as common.
Another audience member, Instagram member, liarayofsunshine, agreed.
“I think some cancers definitely need more awareness, and list of symptoms. Brain, ovarian, blood cancers, those are hard to find with testing, knowing signs could help someone get (diagnosed) sooner. As a (metastatic breast cancer) gal, I just try to educate my circle about breast cancer and (metastatic breast cancer).”
Marissa Holzer, a CURE® blogger and survivor, discussed how cancer awareness months can be triggering and uncomfortable for some patients, reminding them that they live with their diagnosis every day.
“’Pinktober’ is a month full of triggers and constant pink reminders that I’m living with incurable metastatic breast cancer. I would much prefer a metastatic breast cancer research month over early-stage awareness and cutesy slogans. Over 40,000 a year are dying from this disease and less than 5% of funds raised are directed to metastatic breast cancer research. Awareness is not the answer.”
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