A couple years ago there was a status going around that consisted of seemingly random colors. Turns out it was bra colors and it was supposed to raise awareness for breast cancer. This year's statuses consist of "I am ___ weeks and I'm craving _____." leading the reader to believe the poster is pregnant. But no, it's another 'secret' game that's again supposed to raise awareness. I don't get it. The bra color, ok, that makes some sense. After all, bras belong on breasts. But this new one...it just doesn't make sense to me.
In my opinion it would be far more effective just to say 'Hey ladies, do your breast check!" In fact, my current status is;
"Instead of playing this years breast cancer game I'm just going to say CHECK YOUR BREASTS! I feel that's more effective than some cryptic status. So, CHECK YOUR BOOBIES! See, now there's no confusion and no one thinks I'm pregnant again. Saying CHECK YOUR TATAS! makes more sense. In closing, CHECK YOUR HOOTERS!"
Makes more sense don't you think? I'm failing to see how making people think you're pregnant is going to raise their awareness of breast cancer. I get it, some people find it funny and think it's a fun thing to do. Okay, but it's not really raising cancer awareness is it? It's especially ineffective if people don't receive the memo that explains what it's really about.
There are some cancer patients and survivors who are actually offended by this 'game'. I read something recently in which a woman said its upsetting enough to be going through the hell that is cancer, the treatments that leave her sick and weak, losing her hair, the never ending medication. But then she sees people making it into a game and she's offended and more upset by it.
If you want to raise awareness for this horrible cancer, try just posting "Hey ladies, you should be doing your breast exams!' or maybe "Did you know about 1 in 8 women in America will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer? Check your breasts!" or "Breast Cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and death rates are higher than that of any other cancer. Do your breast exams ladies." Those kinds of things make more sense.
If you want to do more, here are some links:
Breastcancer.org
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Susan G. Komen
The Breast Cancer Society Inc.
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