10/06/2023
I’m calling everyone out with this one, especially fellow healthcare workers.
Let’s learn!
First, if you feel, act, or judge in any way that lessens the presence of women, stop with the breast cancer awareness crap because you’re part of the problem.
To continue learning, medical gaslighting is real. Women and people of color are the most likely to experience medical gaslighting. And, about 72% of women report they have experienced medical gaslighting. This is simply unacceptable by itself.
But let’s continue learning. It’s been proven that delays in diagnosis as short as 6 weeks can lead to more advanced disease progression of breast cancer.
Considering what’s been said, women and people of color aren’t properly listened to by medical professionals AND any delay in diagnosis as short as 6 weeks sharply increases the risk of later stage cancer. Sounds like a lose-lose situation unless we start listening to people and then have the audacity to believe them.
Some reasons people aren’t believed include: the fact that they’re not female, the fact that they’ve had relatively normal reproductive health, the fact that they have no known familial breast cancer, and the fact that they’re young. Quick fun fact: insurance can deny a mammogram screening if you’re not 45 years old or older. Many providers follow insurance guidelines in the way that they order tests and make decisions so if you’re under 45 and have no family history of breast cancer, you could be screwed. 🫠
Furthermore, it’s trendy to wear and share pink. And, it’s important to spread awareness- let’s not stop that. But, where’s the awareness for skin cancers? Malignant melanoma is the most likely cancer to metastasize to the breasts. Get your skin checked and get your healthy amount of sunlight and vitamins!
Did you also know that breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing breast cancer? So, the disgust you feel watching someone breastfeed is very anti-breast cancer awareness/Pink October. Ick. Condone and support your local and loved breastfeeders.
And, lastly, I have personally been more concerned about breast cancer since my own recent health issues. Being a proud itty bitty t***y member with no family history of breast cancer has made me feel invincible despite my advanced medical training. I, compared to most people, should have known better. But, the antibody that’s present in my blood reaping havoc on my neurological system is strongly associated with breast cancer. Without doing my own extensive research about breast cancers, I would have never known some of the fun facts I’ve shared with you all today. And, I hope my breast cancer awareness post actually taught you something new and truly made you more aware.
Devyn Grace Kangas
