It's Not Just Me

Looks like I'm not the only one who takes exception to Breast Cancer: The Brand.

A few weeks ago, The New York Times launched a new health blog, "Well," by columnist Tara Parker-Pope. She recently put up a post called "Pick Your Pink Wisely," which addresses the fact that buying a pink-themed product this month may provide a lot less bang for your breast-cancer buck.

The post and accompanying comments are worthy of a read, and the links they contain merit a click. I'm also putting those links (corrected in one case) here, so that they're within easy reach:

• Breast Cancer Action's "Think Before You Pink," which outlines concerns about cause-related marketing in the world of breast cancer.


• BCA's list of six questions to ask before you buy a pink-beribboned product.


• Barbara Ehrenreich's landmark essay, "Welcome to Cancerland," originally published in Harper's in 2001 and reprinted on her website.

I'd heard about Ehrenreich's essay but didn't get to read it until now. I wish I'd known her back in 2001. I think we would have had a lot to talk about. Actually, I'm sure we still have a lot to talk about.