No Pink Ribbons: Why You Shouldn't Don Pink for Beast Cancer Awareness Month

I know: Not cool, right? But hear me out.

The pink ribbon campaign is one of the most prominent and well-funded awareness efforts globally, with enormous resources directed toward advertising, product branding, and events. But what is being done to go after breast cancer’s root causes?

I am not talking about fundraising for cancer research, here. and I won’t beleaguer the argument that Big Pharma and Big Chemical and Big Ag are all in bed with the Big Three market shares (BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street) that benefit hugely from both sides of the problem (first, by owning the retailers that make, sell and infuse the carcinogenic chemicals into our foods and medicines, and second, by owning the companies that “treat” the cancer it all causes).

I am talking about spending time on finding out what to do, and how to go about, not getting cancer in the first place.

Everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. But I estimate that more than a billion dollars and millions of hours are spent on those little pink ribbons campaigns, annually (which I will detail below). And I think that time and money could be better spent on, say, lobbying for simply getting the poisons and carcinogens that cause and contribute to breast cancer out of the realm of human contact (I’ll also explain that part, too).

First, here’s the rundown of what we eat, do, and experience that causes and exacerbates breast cancer:

1. Chemicals

• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs): These chemicals can interfere with hormone function and have been linked to breast cancer. Common EDCs include:

  • Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in plastics, canned food linings, and receipts.

  • Phthalates: Found in plastics, personal care products, and some fragrances.

  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Once widely used in electrical equipment, PCBs can still be found in the environment and accumulate in animal fat.

  • Pesticides: Chemicals like DDT (banned in many countries but persistent in the environment) and others that act as EDCs.

  • Dioxins: Byproducts of industrial processes that can accumulate in fatty tissues.

• Heavy Metals:

  • Cadmium: Found in cigarette smoke, certain fertilizers, and some industrial settings, cadmium exposure has been linked to breast cancer.

2. Medications

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Used by women to manage menopausal symptoms, certain types of HRT (especially combined estrogen-progesterone therapy) are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

• Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control Pills): Long-term use of certain types of hormonal contraceptives can slightly increase breast cancer risk, especially in younger women.

• Diethylstilbestrol (DES): A synthetic estrogen given to pregnant women between the 1940s and 1970s to prevent miscarriage, which has been linked to breast cancer in both the women who took it and their daughters.

3. Foods and Dietary Factors

• Alcohol: Regular consumption of alcohol is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer. Even moderate drinking (1 drink per day) can increase the risk.

• High-Fat Diet: Diets high in saturated fats and trans fats are linked to an increased risk, possibly due to their effects on hormone levels or inflammation.

• Processed Meats: Some studies have found an association between the consumption of processed meats (like bacon, sausages, and hot dogs) and an increased risk of breast cancer.

• Excessive Sugar: High sugar intake, especially in the form of sugary beverages, may promote inflammation and obesity, both of which are risk factors for breast cancer.

• Obesity: Being overweight or obese, especially after menopause, increases the risk of breast cancer. Fat tissue produces estrogen, and excess estrogen can promote the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells.

4. Radiation Exposure

• Ionizing radiation: Exposure to radiation, such as from medical imaging (X-rays, CT scans) or radiation therapy for other cancers, especially at a young age, can increase breast cancer risk.

• Environmental Radiation: Exposure to radiation from nuclear accidents or weapons testing can also increase risk.

5. Lifestyle Factors

• Smoking: Tobacco contains carcinogenic chemicals that can increase the risk of breast cancer, particularly in premenopausal women.

• Lack of Physical Activity: Sedentary lifestyles are linked to higher risk, as regular exercise helps regulate hormone levels and body weight.

6. Other Substances

• Hormonal Cosmetics: Some personal care products, such as creams containing estrogen or placenta-based ingredients, may contribute to hormone imbalance.

• Parabens: Preservatives found in cosmetics and personal care products that can mimic estrogen in the body, although the risk connection is still debated.

7. Genetic Factors

While neither a chemical nor substance, mutations in certain genes (like BRCA1 and BRCA2) can significantly increase breast cancer risk. People with these mutations may be more sensitive to environmental triggers.

And, just so that I have it said, here are several steps to lower the risk of breast cancer:

• Reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking.

• Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

• Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.

• Minimizing exposure to known harmful chemicals, including EDCs, by using natural products when possible and avoiding unnecessary medications or hormone therapies unless medically required.

The Cost

Now that that’s out of the way, here is the rundown of costs - in both time and money - that are attributed to “getting the word out about breast cancer”:

1. Advertising and Marketing Costs

• Corporate Advertising Campaigns: Large corporations such as Estée Lauder, Avon, and Susan G. Komen invest millions annually in promoting breast cancer awareness. Advertising costs include television, radio, online, print ads, and sponsorship of sports teams and events. For example:

  • Television and Radio Ads: National campaigns can cost millions. A 30-second national TV spot can range from $100,000 to more than $1 million, depending on the network and timing.

  • Social Media Campaigns: Many companies allocate significant budgets to social media advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Estimates for large campaigns can range from $500,000 to several million dollars, depending on reach and platform usage.

  • Print Ads: Magazines, newspapers, and billboards are commonly used, and costs can vary. A national magazine ad can cost $100,000 or more.

Overall, estimates suggest that hundreds of millions of dollars may be spent collectively by corporations on breast cancer awareness advertising during October.

2. Social Media and Influencer Promotion

• Social Media Presence: Many organizations rely on free social media platforms to promote the pink ribbon and breast cancer awareness. Time and money are spent on creating content, managing accounts, and working with influencers. Larger organizations may spend between $50,000 to $1 million or more on social media promotion annually.

• Influencer Partnerships: Influencers often promote awareness for free or for a fee, depending on their reach. Companies and charities may spend $5,000 to $100,000 per influencer, depending on their follower count.

3. News Spots and Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

• PSAs on Television and Radio: Public service announcements for breast cancer awareness often run during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. These spots are typically donated by media companies, but the production costs (filming, editing, and distributing) can add up. For a national PSA, this might cost $100,000 to $500,000 to produce.

• News Coverage: Many news outlets feature segments on breast cancer awareness for free as part of their public service. The value of such coverage is difficult to quantify but could be worth millions of dollars based on air time.

4. Making and Distributing Pink Ribbons and Related Merchandise

• Pink Ribbons: Manufacturing the ribbons themselves is relatively low-cost, but distributing millions of them worldwide can be expensive.

  • A bulk order of ribbons might cost $0.10 to $0.50 per ribbon depending on material and volume. Organizations distribute millions of these, and large-scale production could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.

• Other Pink Ribbon Merchandise: Items like bumper stickers, pins, clothing, and wristbands also carry the pink ribbon. Large retailers sell these items and donate proceeds to breast cancer research. Manufacturing and distributing such items can cost millions of dollars annually.

  • Pins and Stickers: High-quality enamel pins may cost $1 to $5 each to produce, while stickers are cheaper at around $0.25 to $1 per unit.

  • Clothing and Merchandise: Branded T-shirts, water bottles, and other items can be more costly, ranging from $10 to $50 per item to produce and sell.

5. Event Organization and Fundraising

• Walks and Runs (e.g., Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure): Major fundraising events cost millions to organize, including permits, security, staffing, and promotional materials. Large events can run into several million dollars for a single major city event.

• Fundraisers and Galas: Charity galas and other events held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month often have substantial budgets, with catering, venue rental, and promotional costs.

6. Volunteer and Staff Time

• Time Investment: Beyond monetary costs, significant time is spent by volunteers and staff members to raise awareness. Volunteers may donate thousands of hours through advocacy, organizing events, distributing pink ribbons, and spreading the word via social media and local networks.

7. Collective Industry Efforts

• The beauty, fashion, and sports industries are major contributors. Brands like Ralph Lauren, NFL, and others dedicate advertising resources to promote pink ribbon products, with significant budgets attached. It is estimated that corporate partnerships alone contribute hundreds of millions in overall efforts, encompassing both direct donations and promotional expenditures.

General Estimate of Costs

While precise data is not always available, estimates suggest that the collective expenditure for promoting breast cancer awareness (including advertising, merchandise, and related activities) likely exceeds $1 billion annually when all global efforts are considered. This includes:

• Large corporate campaigns and sponsorships: $100 million or more.

• Pink ribbon production and distribution: $50 million or more.

• Event organizing and fundraising: $200 million or more.

• Social media and influencer campaigns: $50 million to $100 million or more.

• Volunteer and unpaid advocacy efforts: immeasurable but contributing to the overall reach.

Time Spent

Millions of hours are donated by volunteers, organizations, and employees to organize events, manage campaigns, and advocate for awareness. Large corporations also allocate significant staff time for marketing, advertising, and public relations efforts during the month of October.

The Harm

With all of this focus on support and fundraising huge amounts of money, it is abundantly clear that we have the motivation to get out and do something about breast cancer, and the “awareness” that supposedly does some whimsical thing to thwart it. But there is a collective of organizations and efforts that have long been underway attacking the root issues and causes of breast cancer. They are being overlooked by this well-spring of misguided focus.

There is, however, plenty of time to realign that focus on a better option.

The Alternative

If you’re really serious about donating or contributing to causes that actually do some good in the fight against cancer, here are a few good organizations already on the warpath against the Big Corporates and Big Agencies who are literally killing us for profit.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) (https://www.wcrf.org) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) (https://www.ewg.org/) are among the most well-known advocacy groups focusing on the reduction of toxic chemicals in everyday products. They publish research related to food safety, cosmetics, water quality, and household products, pushing for cleaner, safer alternatives and better labeling of potentially harmful ingredients.

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) (https://www.bcpp.org/), formerly the Breast Cancer Fund, works to reduce exposure to environmental toxins, especially those linked to breast cancer with a focus on public health, environmental justice, and corporate accountability.

The National coalition, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (https://saferchemicals.org/), seeks to protect families by targeting hazardous chemicals in our lives, and by advocating for stronger health and safety standards.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) (https://www.nrdc.org/), the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) (https://www.ceh.org/), the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) (https://www.panna.org/), and the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) are all a part of an international network fighting to remove known carcinogens like glyphosate (found in weed killers), PFAS (found in non-stick coatings), and other known contributors from regular use.

Problems and Solutions

A mentor once told me, “Don’t bring me a problem. Bring me a problem and at least two possible solutions.” His name was Dr. Owen Smith. He was a good man who died of a brain tumor. I hope that, by way of this passage, I have sounded that advice into the ears of people willing to come up with better solutions than pink ribbons for a problem that affects everyone.

Image by Cyle O’Donnell using DALL-E

Sources:

https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/breast-cancer/index.cfm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hormone-replacement-therapy/about/pac-20385096

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/bisphenol-a.html

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet

https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/breast-cancer/