Breast Cancer Awareness Month Misleads

But perhaps its worst sin is that the information it's distributing to millions of women is simply not true. As we head into this year's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, some advocates are warning that it's important for well-meaning consumers to turn a critical eye to cause marketing before they whip out their credit cards. Some companies behind "breast cancer awareness" products barely raise anything at all for research. Others shill products products that actually contribute to breast cancer. And others fish for goodwill by spreading soothing misinformation that actually harms women.

The world's largest breast cancer charity used misleading statistics and deceptive statements about mammography to promote breast cancer awareness and screening, authors of an opinion piece asserted. Komen for the Cure suggested large differences in breast cancer survival among women who undergo screening mammography and those who do not. In doing so, the organization ignored "a growing and increasingly accepted body of evidence [showing] that although screening may reduce a woman's chance of dying from breast cancer by a small amount, it also causes major harms. Komen for the Cure issued a statement from Chandini Portteus, vice president of research, evaluation, and scientific programs. But Woloshin and Schwartz argued that the timing of breast cancer diagnosis has minimal impact on long-term survival, citing evidence that mammography reduces a year-old woman's year risk of dying of breast cancer from 0. Because screening finds cancers earlier, comparing survival between screened and unscreened women is hopelessly biased. The authors also faulted Komen's deception for emphasizing the benefits of mammography but making no mention of the possible risks.

Metrics details. Female breast cancer was the most diagnosed cancer in , with more than two million new cases worldwide. Access to scientifically correct information can assist patients in early detection or prevention of the disease.

Every October, the multi-billion-dollar "Cancer Industry" bombards us with pink ribbons on NFL fields, pink ribbon shoes, pink guns , police cars , wine bottles, and now, face masks — all in the name of breast cancer "awareness". This branding is not only unhelpful, but is actively harmful to its cause. This October, it is time to bring some awareness to the awareness industry. It comes as no surprise that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was originated by a multinational pharmaceutical company.