Pretty in Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and just in case you haven't noticed, there is a lot of hoopla, and ribbons, and garments, and apparel to remind us.

I've watched the silliness of pink golf clubs and golf balls on PGA pros, pink shoes and towels on NFL players, pink penalty flags in the pockets of the NFL referees—well, that one only lasted a week, since it caused so much confusion on the field—complete pink outfits on PGA golfer Ricky Fowler and even pink products, like 5-Hour Energy.

I won't apologize for making light of this farce.  After all, breast cancer, while a serious problem, is not as pervasive as prostate cancer in men, and which month is it that we herald Prostate Cancer Awareness?  And come to think of it, HOW do we show our support for PCA?  Baby blue golf clubs, NFL apparel, penalty flags, and  on and on?

Why can't we men have our own cause célèbre?  Is it really more important for the ladies to "save the ta-tas" than it is for men to ... (well, let's not get too graphic here)  The fact is, though, that prostate cancer kills about the same number of men as breast cancer kills women, yet breast cancer research and awareness gets four times as much funding as prostate cancer.

Hey, I've got an idea... lets make the prostate cancer awareness symbol a pair of blue walnuts.  After all, they always describe the prostate gland as being, "...about the size of a walnut."  What could be more American male than a pair of blue nuts?

While we're on the subject, why is it that, if breast cancer awareness is so important, the scheduling of mammograms has now been scaled back?  In case you're too busy (or lazy) to click on the link, here is a summary of the changes recommended by the USPSTF, a.k.a. United States Preventive Services Task Force:

• Routine screening of average-risk women should begin at age 50, not age 40.
• Routine screening should end at age 74.
• Women should get screening mammograms every two years instead of annually.
• Breast self-exams have little value, based on findings from several large studies.

That last one is really a bummer, because when it comes to palpating the breast, we guys are always more than happy to volunteer and assist.
 

I cannot leave the subject without one more piece of sarcastic humor.  Here is my favorite cartoon on the mammogram/manogram dilemma...

Okay, all kidding aside, do whatever it takes to get screened periodically for any form of cancer, but especially for these two killers.  Early detection is critical to cure rates.