October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month – The Unexpected Negative Impact on Many Survivors

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while it is intended to bring attention to the cause, there is an unexpected effect on many survivors as it grows. 

Doctors recognize that while some of their patients appreciate the attention and awareness it brings, others find it distressing to have it brought to their attention daily.

A trauma therapist out of Adelphi University in New York, Dr. Deborah Serani, explains that the ‘anniversary effect’ is a time of year where feelings of anxiety and troubling thoughts can arise. This is in direct connection to the emotions that are connected with trauma. 

For some of those who are breast cancer survivors find October “a re-traumatizing experience, bringing recollections of the time they were diagnosed, the treatments, and how they felt during those times.

Marketing Doesn’t Mirror Real Life

Another concern is that the images used during the month are of survivors, people doing fun runs, and no way to show the reality of it all, avoiding the fact that many do not survive. 

People aren’t seeing the harsh realities of it seen in the advertisements and are rallying behind false images that don’t represent how the survivors or those in treatment are genuinely feeling. Then the month passes, and the focus shifts back to ordinary and mundane tasks, leaving some feeling invisible and unnoticed. 

The co-founder of The Breasties nonprofit, Bri Majsiak describes how it can feel like companies are using it to go along with everyone else for the month, like any other seasonal event, and then moving right to thanksgiving.

Suggestions for Survivors to Get Through October

Some suggestions from survivors, therapists and doctors to get through October include:

• Take a break from social media, 
• Give yourself permission to attend or avoid awareness events, 
• Share only what and when you feel comfortable.

There can be a lot of pressure to share your story and to attend the events. Still, it is your story to share only with the people that you want too, so if you’re going to share on your media and use your voice for everyone to hear, you should, but if you’d instead share with only one or two people in a more intimate setting than you should follow what feels right to you.

To help other survivors, or if you aren’t a survivor and want to help friends or family through, there are ways that you can change your interactions not only in October:

• It is essential to respect the wants and preferences of others, 
• Avoid making them feel compared to others or dismissed, 
• Avoid cute phrases that can feel out of place, 
• Don’t share someone else’s story. 
• Be selective of the stores and products you support to ensure your money goes to where it is beneficial, 
• Donate to an organization that helped your friend or loved one.