Pink toilet paper, pink candy, pink sneakers, pink drill bits and a pink bucket of chicken.... all in the name of Breast Cancer Awareness.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Pinktober or Breast Cancer Industry Month. Walk into any pharmacy, grocery or hardware store and you will find a endless array of pink ribboned merchandise. Unfortunately, these pink ribbon initiatives benefit the corporation's bottom line rather than the women who are at risk of or living with breast cancer. The corporations capitalize on the pink ribbon to promote a perception of being part of the solution to the cancer epidemic. What is even more discouraging is that some of the Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbon products contain carcinogenic pollutants that are actually harmful to our health. How can a corporation that proudly promotes itself as a champion in the fight against breast cancer refuse to remove cancer-causing substances from its products?
This practice is referred to as Pink Washing.
The reality is that women are aware of breast cancer. You will be hard pressed to find a woman who has not been affected by breast cancer - whether it be personally or with a mother, sister, coworker or friend. More emphasis needs to be placed on improving cancer prevention, treatment, and management.
At ORESTA, we believe that no woman should ever compromise her health for beauty. We oppose pink washing and only support companies that manufacture healthy beauty products.
We have established the ORESTA Cancer Care Initiative to support women undergoing cancer treatment with what we do best: pampering with healthy beauty. Throughout the year, we are committed to pampering one woman every month who is undergoing cancer treatment with a complimentary ORESTA organic facial.
Education is key to breast health. Learn more about breast health, breast cancer prevention and how to reduce the risk of breast cancer, by visiting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation website. They have developed a very helpful tool to create your own personalized breast health plan, including tips on nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle choices. The CBCF recommends that earth-friendly is often breast-friendly and that exposure to chemicals in our environment and everyday products that we use in our homes may increase our risk of breast cancer.