“Pinkwashing – verb 1. the sale of items containing known carcinogens, while marketing these products in support of breast cancer awareness 2. also, capitalizing on the promotion of breast cancer prevention when only concerned about bottom line profit margin.”
Raising awareness for breast cancer research and prevention is important, I applaud companies that raise real funds. HOWEVER, isn’t it horrendously hypocritical of certain companies to sell products with ingredients that have been shown to CAUSE BREAST CANCER?!
That’s right, they use ingredients that are mammary carcinogens, or carcinogenic contaminants that behave as endocrine disrupting compounds in our bodies, causing hormonal imbalance. As the Gerson Institute calls it, ‘carcinogens for the cure.’ True that.
It’s said that Evelyn Lauder’s dream was to end breast cancer. Why doesn’t the company jump off the breast cancer awareness bandwagon and honor her memory by reformulating their products WITHOUT harmful cancer causing ingredients?! Pinkwasing at its finest. And Estee Lauder is by no means the only company guilty of this. Most of them are… L’Oreal, Proctor & Gamble are major culprits. How do they sleep at night?!
I am truly puzzled by Avon’s part in all of this. They raise millions with their walk, have created a “Center of Excellence” in breast care and claim the mission of the Avon Comprehensive Breast Care Program at San Francisco General Hospital is to ‘provide comprehensive breast care, education and research in a compassionate and culturally sensitive environment.’
WHY, then, do their products contain MANY known CARCINOGENS??!! The Avon 2 in 1 Cleanser is a NINE on the EWG database & has TEN carcinogens. Does that make any sense to you?! Insane.
Interested in a site that actually helps patients? Various companies offer patients free items such as scarves, make up, house cleaning, hats, wigs, etc. Breast cancer survivor Bethany Kandell created Breatcancerfreebies.com where patients can go to find items they can receive. You can make a donation on the site as well.
Cure Diva is another helpful site where patients and survivors can find support, answers, advice and more to help navigate them through the process… “a stylish feminine environment… here to revolutionize the lifestyle of women coping with breast cancer and it’s after effects.”
A direct donation is of course the best way to give back but if you’d like to shop, stay away from the carcinogens and be cautious about what you buy, many products don’t give up much of their ‘proceeds’. Take “Promise Me” perfume, for instance, the Susan G. Komen foundation sold this a couple years ago for $59 a bottle, but it’s estimated that only $1.31 of that retail price actually went to funding breast cancer research. Plus, it contained known carcinogens! WTF?!
Don’t just be aware, PREVENT cancer. The best way to prevent any cancer is by making the healthy lifestyles choices I wrote about a few weeks ago.
Do yourself and all breast cancer patients and survivors a favor and stay away from personal care products that pinkwash and contain cancer causing ingredients. Try safe brands like Ava Anderson Non Toxic.
Women’s Voices For The Earth offers good tips on how to avoid being pinkwashed.
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