Monday 24 October 2011

think pink.

Anyone know the origin of 'think pink'? The phrase, not what it stands for in October. It was a song (and a God awful one) in Funny Face starring Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn and I'm guessing (I could be wrong) it caught on from there.


Around mid-September or so, for the past three years, women on Facebook have seemingly inappropriate and vague status messages, with the intention of 'spreading awareness about breast cancer' amongst their species (read this for the gist, this year's really took the cake) but in actuality, of bewildering their male friends who aren't smart enough to Google it in the first place. Which pretty much kills the purpose as men are prone to breast cancer too! (link)

Kuwait is all about pink this month. Seems every company and organization wants to do their bit, an hour outside and you'll see pink ribbons at least 50 times - pinned to someone's lapel, magazine covers, billboards, hoardings, malls (the Avenues for one), events, cinema screens prior to the movie etc. But is it really doing anything to spread awareness? Unless they're visually-challenged or live in a hole, most people should know what it represents. But do they bother educating themselves about this dreadful disease and signing up for check-ups? Or do they just shrug their shoulders and continue on their way as they catch a glimpse of something like this -

Ginormous pink ribbon at Discovery Mall in Kuwait City

I certainly hope not.
Read up. Get checked. But don't take your doctor's word for it no matter what his/her certifications are or how many of your relatives recommend him. The mother has a friend whose doctor misdiagnosed her with breast cancer. The biopsy said otherwise.
It would be a bigger tragedy to undergo treatment for cancer when you don't need it. ALWAYS get a second opinion, even a third - this doesn't necessarily have to be just for cancer, could be applicable for something trivial (in comparison), like a root canal or a tooth extraction o_O
Google has made available vast repositories of information right at your fingertips. With websites like WebMD and wrongdiagnosis (now bettermedicine), there can really be no excuse for anyone with a decent internet connection to remain ignorant of the possible outcome of symptoms they or someone they know may suffer from if they are unable to visit a doctor.

Get informed. You'll probably save yourself a lot of grief.

2 comments:

  1. "women on Facebook have seemingly inappropriate and vague status messages"

    me thinks there is a word missing there :P

    yes, unfortunately, much like the poppy seed, its become more of a commercial gig than raising awareness. Ive read articles on how you can give yourself a quick diagnosis, and fully concur with the idea of 2nd and 3rd opinions, for EVERYTHING, even mechanics and cars :)

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  2. I've read that line over and over - I dunno what word you mean. Maybe I'm just slow :P

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