You Don't Know What You Would Do

USA Today published an article titled, 'Preventative breast cancer surgery has some docs alarmed." The article informs readers about the growing trend of prophylactic mastectomies. The article didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. Young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to have their breast(s) removed. I had my first breast removed because the cancer was starting to spread inside of my breast. I had the second breast removed the next year. I don't regret my choice.

I am writing this post in response to the commenters on the USA Today website who are judging women who chose to remove a breast or two prophylactic-ly. Y'all suck. Until you have been diagnosed with cancer, don't mock or judge or know that you would never do what I and other women have done. You don't know what you would do.

Blue, Yellow, White, Nude, Whatever

Someone please explain to me how announcing the color of one's bra on Facebook is raising awareness of breast cancer. As someone who has had breast cancer, I actually find the activity offensive. And since last night, every time I log on to Facebook, I find another color posted as someone's status update, and get enraged all over again. Who comes up with these ideas?

On a personal note, I can't even where a normal bra yet. I wear white medical bras, which resemble sports bras, but clasp in the front. Very sexy. Very. Hopefully, my breasts will be able to handle wearing normal bras sometime soon, but I have no idea when. So even if I didn't have all of my pent-up anger towards cancer, I'd still feel left out right now because I can't wear a real bra. Thanks for reminding me, whoever you are who thought this bra color update was a good idea.

Maybe I am alone in my rage. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I am. I find most breast cancer awareness activities superficial. Why don't we discuss the causes of breast cancer and the effects of breast cancer on our persons and our society rather than wearing pink and feeling smug? Or posting the color of our bras? What the fuck does that do?