Concept by Helen Lynn.
This post content is published by FromPinktoPrevention, a new breast cancer campaign that exposes the barriers to achieving ‘primary prevention’ ie stopping the disease before it starts.
OCTOBER – BREAST CANCER PREVENTION/AWARENESS MONTH
In the forthcoming Breast Cancer Awareness Month we ask if you can remove the Pink Ribbon ‘Blindfold’ and ask the Breast Cancer Charities this BIG QUESTION:
WHY do they persist in refusing to acknowledge the role of environmental and occupational toxicants by ignoring decades of evidence up to the present day on the link between our lifelong (womb to grave) exposures to toxics and the escalating incidence of breast cancer?
Why do Breast Cancer Charities continue to focus solely on ‘lifestyle’ risk factors such as diet and exercise, while ignoring the potential 60% of breast cancer cases for which they have no explanation. What about the role of chemical, environmental and occupational exposures in this?
Better diagnostics and treatment is not mutually exclusive with looking at how our profoundly polluted environment, homes and workplaces impact on our bodies and health, while also taking into consideration the ‘precautionary principle’ – ie better safe than sorry.
The World Health Organisation states that prevention (which is not the same as early detection) offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. So why do we not see this reflected in our cancer plans and strategies? Why is primary prevention (stopping the disease before it starts) not equally addressed along with better treatment and care? Why are those with the power to influence decisions on breast cancer policy not acting on what we already know?
There are various actions you can take
- SIGN FromPinktoPrevention’s petition and spread the word.
- Write to your Breast Cancer Charity to ask them the big question. Please send us a copy of their response. See an example letter – this is suggested text only – please feel free to adapt and personalize.
- Sign up your organisation to our statement.
- Read the World Health Organisation Asturias Declaration.