Why is there so much emphasis on Breast Cancer when there are deadlier cancers for women?

Answer 1

Maybe b/c it is one of the more common ones that is highly passed down from generation to generation.

Answer 2

Breast cancer is never actually considered 'cured', because it can return at any time - even years after diagnosis and treatment. That doesn't mean breast cancer is never cured, just that it's not possible to say for sure whether someone who's had breast cancer is cured. The term 'no evidence of disease' (NED) is used instead. No, breast cancer is not moe easily cured or treated than other cancers. And yes, people di of it. In the US an average of 112 women a day (that's one evey 15 minutes) die from breast cancer; in the UK that average is 33 a day. UT there are more breast caner survivors than ever before, and if breast cancer is found in its early stages the prognosis can be very good. Even when it's not caught early, the outcome can be good; I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer over 6 years ago. I had surgery, chemo, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. I am currently fit and well with no sign of cancer.

Answer 3

I suppose because it's more prevalent than any other female cancer.

I have thought about this, too. My mom is recovering from chemo after stage IV Ovarian cancer and after her diagnosis I found out that it is not only the deadliest form of female cancers but also the most difficult to detect. Sometimes I wondered (in anger) if some of the money going towards breast cancer research should/could be going to another form of cancer that could really use some newer detection advancements. But really, ALL forms of cancers need to be looked into and researched and have better ways of detection.

That being said, people want to support the cause of things that have touched their lives directly, and since breast cancer is so prevalent then more power to the people who donate money and support the cause. Any time or money dedicated to finding treatments for ANY type of cancer is a good thing. My husband's mom died from breast cancer at 35.

Answer 4

Apparently because society values breasts more than ovaries, and femininity more than survival. It's awful to say, but it's a sexier disease. It's also a snowball effect - when one company makes breast cancer its mission, all the other companies fall in line. It's makes them look good, and they'd look bad if they didn't. It'll be AIDS next, although it likely won't create as much hysteria, since AIDS is more invisible here (whereas breasts are everywhere!). Here's an interesting site, called "Think Before You Pink":

http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org/

Anyway, you've raised a question that many people don't. The fact is, in a consumerist society, breast cancer is a product just like anything else. If it weren't, there'd be more focus on environmental/pollution factors, chemicals in cosmetics, research, and other forms of female cancers - rather than "awareness", lapel pins, and shopping.

Best of luck & happy consciousness-raising!

Answer 5

I used to work in cancer research and I have heard that something like 70% of money raised for cancer research goes to breast cancer research. I don't know if that figure is true but breast cancer is by far the best supported.

Lung cancer actually kills more women every year than breast cancer. However since its so heavily linked to smoking I think it gets a lot less public sympathy. Sorry but thats true. Also there are a lot of breast cancer survivors out there to tell their stories. Sadly there are far fewer lung cancer survivors and apparently its often a disease people don't own up to.

My mum survived aggressive breast cancer so I welcome any breast cancer publicity and fundraising!. The campaigns have made a massive difference in raising awareness of self-checking etc which is probably why breast cancers are getting detected earlier and earlier and survival rates are increasing :)

However it would be good to see other health matters get as much press and money. For example (in australia) more men die of prostate cancer than women die of breast cancer every year. But it receives a lot less funding for research.

Also as women we are more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than breast cancer. but I wonder how many women know that and worry about their heart as much as they worry about breast cancer?

Answer 6

I noticed more awareness being grouth up about HPV which is more common than breast cancer. There are hundreds of strains of the vorus and 18 lead to cancer and they can be caught early with proper regular yearly testing...
In one year I went from fine to having cancer. I spent three years and countless surgeries and finally had to have a hysterectomy and lymph nodes removed...and to think..it could have been prevented!

I took the risk of my life by having children before they removed everything..I was lucky.

They should inform people that you can get the HPV virus passed to you EVEN if you use a condom!!!!! I was by no means promiscuous and thought that I was safe....but go figure...should be tellingTHAT to the kids in school! Also the earlier in life as girl has sex (under full physical maturness...about 18 to 21) increases your risk extremely!!!

Maybe that would slow down those teenagers. Tell them it is their choice...cancer, no kids, or have sex now!

Answer 7

It is a huge Woman's issue. Even though men can get breast cancer, it is seen as a woman's disease, so it is a popular issue to support. Also, when a woman has breast cancer, it effects her sexuality, her "womaness" especially if she has to have a mastectomy.
It does seem like it has been over-exploited though. You can never tell what charity or organization all the "pink ribbon" paraphernalia really benefits. It is a good issue to support, but other killers such as lung cancer and heart disease also deserve attention.
*stepping off of soapbox*

Answer 8

Because breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women.

Or do you think It might be wise to place more emphasis on a more rare and obscure form of cancer?

Actually, I would be happy to see more emphasis on cancer being completely eleminated in women. (And Men)

Darryl S.

Answer 9

Because the number one cancer of women is lung cancer which is caused *most* of the time from smoking... therefore, the women could prevent that...

and breast cancer is not so preventable as lung cancer... plus, it tends to be genetic.

Answer 10

Lung cancer is now more prevalent than breast cancer. (You've come a long way, baby!) However, the emphasis is because breast cancer is more easily detectable and treatable, but not easily prevented. Lung cancer is preventable (largely) if people would quit smoking.