Why We Don't Support the WEBC
Montreal's third Weekend to End Breast Cancer is nearly here and many
of us will be approached by well-meaning friends and acquaintances to be
sponsors for the event, advertised as raising funds to cure breast
cancer.
BCAM is understandably concerned about the best possible treatment for
the growing numbers of women diagnosed with breast cancer. On the other
hand, we feel strongly that more money must be devoted to investigation
of the environmental effects of toxins in our food, air, water,
household cleaning products and cosmetics if we are to stop what is
rapidly becoming epidemic.
We know that more than 95% of funds raised by big events like the Run
For The Cure and the Weekend To End Breast Cancer is earmarked for
building, equipping or updating cancer treatment centers. This leaves a
very small amount that might be used for research into the primary
causes of breast cancer — which is where BCAM believes much more money
should be spent.
Too often, when we talk about causes of the disease, women themselves
are made to take the blame: we're told that we eat the wrong foods or
don't exercise enough, or drink too much alcohol. This tendency to blame
the victims, coupled with the grossly unequal distribution of research
dollars, means very little money for research into the root causes of
the disease. The carcinogens in our air, water and food are often an
afterthought in Canadian cancer messages, as are the serious hazards in
our homes and workplaces.
On the positive side, an event we can support is the Run, Walk and Roll
for Cancer Prevention held this year in Ottawa, London, and Windsor (see http://www.stopcancer.org/rwr07/index.html). Staged to draw attention to the need for
primary prevention, it is also supported by The Saunders-Matthey Cancer
Prevention Coalition.
In short, while we realize that treating and curing breast cancer are
important goals, we are trying to raise awareness of the causes of
breast cancer so that this disease can be stopped before it starts.