October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month nationally, with the focus on women being advised to do self exams or get a screening.
THIS SUMMER, the movie Barbie was all the rage, with women young and younger coming to theaters dressed in pink. But this month, it’s time for Barbie to move over. It’s men who will be in pink, for a special purpose.
Brian Gibson, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society’s Northeast Region, which includes Northwest Ohio, explained, “We want to bring awareness of breast cancer so that women between 40 and 44 and who have a history of breast cancer in their families get breast exams, and that women aged 45 and up get mammograms. We want to bring the issue of breast cancer into the forefront of their lives.
“The hope is all about making sure at the very least women do a self-examination to make sure everything still feels normal, and that there are not any sort of bumps or masses that they might feel on their breasts,” Gibson said.
He said breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide as of 2020. Nationally, he quoted figures of about 290,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. He added that of that number, about 3,000 are men—who, yes, can get breast cancer, too.
Gibson added some good news, that the death rate from breast cancer dropped 42 percent from 1989 to 2019 because of early detection through increased awareness and mammography screenings as well as advances in treatment.
Some of that improved treatment has been the result of ongoing research, thanks to grants. “As of January 2023,” he said, “the American Cancer Society is investing $78.1 million in breast-cancer-specific research through 160 grants.” Gibson added that there are active research grants at the University of Toledo Medical Center.
Among the highlights for the month-long emphasis on a serious subject is something with a bit of whimsey—a campaign called Men Wear Pink, the color associated with breast cancer awareness. “I go out into the community to reach out to guys who are leaders to encourage them to jump on board the campaign to bring awareness to breast cancer,” Gibson said. “These leaders who participate will wear a symbolic item that’s pink, like a pin, socks, a tie, or a pink suit.”
The idea is for the pink item to trigger a conversation about breast cancer awareness.
“Years ago, guys wouldn’t wear pink—it just wasn’t a color they’d wear,” he said. “But now guys have come on board because it’s fun and there’s a great message tied to it, and it’s helped raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research.”
The Men Wear Pink campaign in Toledo is chaired by Brad Hirsch, general manager of Hollywood Casino Toledo. Hirsch said the casino has a tradition of supporting Men Wear Pink. Through collection boxes and the sale of pink ribbons and pink polo shirts, the casino last year raised $6,400 from customers and its team members, he said. “We’re looking to beat that this year,” he added. “The team takes pride in giving back to the community.”
“All the credit goes to Brian,” Hirsch said of Gibson. “He mobilizes people who are passionate about the cause.”
There’s a personal side to Hirsch’s involvement. “My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was a boy,” he said. “I remember when I was growing up her telling me how scary it was. Now, she’s a breast cancer survivor. She’s doing great.”
That speaks to the overall mission of the American Cancer Society, which Gibson explained is to “improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.” Gibson said anyone who wants more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month or cancer issues in general can visit the society’s website, cancer.org, which he said has a live chat room, or phone 800-227-2345, which is staffed every day around the clock.
And those women and girls who went to see Barbie can wear their pink outfits again.
Dennis Bova is a freelance writer and editor. ✲
