The Breast Cancer Consortium, Gathering Momentum
The Breast Cancer Consortium formed in October 2012 with a group of professionals committed to research and social change. In the few months of our existence, we have already seen important change in the breast cancer landscape.
- The documentary, “Pink Ribbons Inc.” blazes the international and national trails, with panels of experts discussing how to do things differently.
- News stories point out the overselling of survival statistics and screening tests, the need to overcome barriers and fix cancer care, and how little federal research goes to prevention and environmental causes.
- Social media elevates the power of doctor-patient collaborations and the need for change.
- Metastatic disease gets some additional attention and research support.
- The Supreme Court, with activists and scientists together leading the charge, hears oral arguments about patenting the so-called “breast cancer genes.”
- The New York Times Magazine features a 9-page cover story on the limitations of the “feel-good” war on breast cancer. An unprecedented investigation in mass media about what’s missing in breast cancer advocacy, awareness, and research.
These are important inroads. And yet…the pink culture and industry keeps on keeping on. The commercialization of breast cancer and heightened focus on superficial awareness campaigns continue to serve the status quo and those standing to profit from the disease. The realities of cancer and survivorship are sidelined. We continue to see our friends and colleagues facing diagnoses, recurrences, and the difficulties of making medical decisions in the midst of scientific uncertainty. So we, too, will keep on keeping on.
I hope you will check out BCC’s website, essays, and materials. If you like what you see, please forward our newsletter to your colleagues and friends. If you have any questions for us or ideas about how the Breast Cancer Consortium can help you and your communities to change the breast cancer paradigm, please contact us by emailing me at gayle.sulik@breastcancerconsortium.net.
Onwards and Upwards!
Gayle A. Sulik, PhD (founder and executive director)
