The Problem With Pink-Ribbon Drives (Abstract Only)

ABSTRACT ONLY

Title: The Problem With Pink-Ribbon Drives

Author/Byline:  Caroline Bermudez

Publication: Chronicle of Philanthropy

Publication Date: November 28, 2010

A medical sociologist says that pink-ribbon drives to promote attention to breast cancer are not effective in combating the disease.

Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women’s Health

By Gayle A. Sulik

Gayle A. Sulik, a medical sociologist, says that pink-ribbon drives to promote attention to breast cancer are not effective in combating the disease, but instead divert attention way from the fact that the ailment is a public-health concern.

Based on eight years of observations, analysis of breast-cancer advertisements and awareness campaigns, and interviews with hundreds of breast-cancer experts, Ms. Sulik concludes that for all the coverage breast cancer receives, a cure still remains elusive and jumps in survival rates have been modest at best.

She is particularly critical of the charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which organizes walks and races that draw thousands of participants.

ABSTRACT ONLY

Breast Cancer Tales: The Inspirational vs. the Actual

Title: Breast Cancer Tales: The Inspirational vs. the Actual

Author: Abigail Zuger

Publication: New York Times

Publication Date: October 25, 2010

Before penicillin came along, syphilis was known in medical circles as “the great mimicker,” a stealthy disease able to mangle the human body in virtually all known ways. “Know syphilis and you know medicine,” professors would tell their students.

Exactly the same thing might be said of breast cancer these days — but not in the same circles. Rather, it is the social scientists who get to contemplate the full panorama of human reaction to disease by studying the fallout from a single one: all the shades of anguish and anger, the posturing, the politics and the cartloads of wishful thinking, all wrapped up in a big pink ribbon.

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