October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - this we know because
for the next 31 days the colour pink is going to be difficult to
avoid.
In a commercial tradition going back to the mid-90s, anyone who
sells anything to women will be spraying it pink and promising to
donate a portion of the sale price to cancer charities.
Here at DIVA our email inboxes start filling up with what we
call "more weird pink cr*p" well in advance, giving us plenty of
time to delete pink hand-cream, pink lip-gloss, pink bras and (new
this year!) pink preserves.
It's not the cause we have a problem with, obviously. It's the
bizarre "pinkification" of the disease. Women are so identified
with their breasts, the thinking seems to be, that any threat to
them is a threat to their very femininity, which can only be
repaired by a copious application of that shade well known to
identify its wearer as female beyond any doubt… if you're a
four-year-old child.
Where does pinkification leave
men with breast cancer? Where does it leave those of us who
have spent our lifetimes resisting
the huge social pressure to be "girly" girls?
That said, there is nothing wrong with pink. It can be
flattering, fun to wear, shocking even. These snazzy,
limited-edition hi-tops in suede and mock-croc by Supra stood out
from the sea of pink in our inbox - not just because they're
bright, comfy and cool but because a whopping 50% of the £75 sale
price will go to breast cancer research. (Check out www.suprafootwear.com for
stockists.)
And lest the crucial message of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
should get lost in the pink mist - remember: it's easy to be breast
aware. Get to know what's normal for you (and any woman whose
breasts you may enjoy a close personal relationship with). If you
notice anything that feels or looks unusual (a lump, thickening,
puckering of the skin or discharge), see your GP straight away. For
more advice, click
here.
