Every October, we see the pink ribbons, the campaigns, the merchandise, and the inspirational survivor stories. Then November arrives, and suddenly, we move on to the next thing.
But breast cancer doesn’t end on October 31.
As a breast cancer survivor diagnosed in May 2016, I know that breast cancer is more than a pink ribbon. It’s a diagnosis that changes your life. It’s navigating treatment, dealing with uncertainty, and learning how to move forward in a body and a life that may never feel quite the same.
Here are three things we need to remember:
1. Breast cancer is not beautiful. The strength of survivors is worth celebrating, but we must not romanticize the pain, fear, and realities of the disease.
2. Breast cancer doesn’t take a break in November. People are still being diagnosed, undergoing treatment, recovering from surgery, and living with the long-term effects of cancer.
3. Awareness without action is not enough. We need year-round advocacy, education, access to quality healthcare, support for patients and survivors, and a willingness to have the difficult conversations.
As a survivor and advocate, I believe we must do better than wearing pink for 31 days and then moving on.
We cannot celebrate survivors in October and forget about them in November.
Breast cancer awareness is not seasonal. Neither should our compassion, commitment, or advocacy be.
Let’s make the conversation count all year long.
#BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerSurvivor #YearRoundAdvocacy #MelaninAndPinkRibbons
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