There are many strengths as well as weaknesses to the “mainstream breast cancer culture” which have caused different views on what is best by activists and feminists. The weaknesses come from many aspects but start mainly with the message women are given. The strengths have come from people meaning well, banding together and the combination of perspectives. Overall, this mix of views and take on the disease has caused a complexity to the culture.

            To start off, there are many weaknesses to the current “mainstream breast cancer culture”. These come from the message that the culture portrays to the symbol the institutions categorize everything into. The message that the culture portrays is that if you get mammograms on time and you are vigilant enough you will not get cancer or if you do you will be able to fix it. The problem with this way of thinking is that this way doesn’t work for everyone. Women can detect the disease early and still die from the treatments or get diagnosed with such an aggressive kind that there is nothing else the doctors can do for them (Daily Motion 2017). On the other hand, most people assume that if your cancer gets to a certain point you are basically just waiting to die. This is especially true for stage four cancer but is just the opposite of what women should be doing (Daily Motion 2017). Women should be banding together during this time to support each other and living life. Another weakness that this culture has created is the dominant symbol of the pink ribbon. This ribbon has stopped looking at people as people, only as the ribbon. It further demonstrates that women should continue to make themselves look pretty while they are sick and refrain from getting angry or upset. It encourages them to become complacent with the social, political, economic, and environmental policies in place (Ley 2009). Finally, many companies use the mainstream culture to sell their products and then donate hardly any money to the charity or use most of it for advertising (Ley 2009). They use this opportunity to grow their business instead of really helping people.  

            Contrastingly, there are some strengths to the current mainstream culture. The strengths start with people meaning well and wanting to help. Even though eco-feminists think that we should be focusing more on the environment and not on the pink ribbon or walk for life, both have given women more resources and support. The eco-feminist view provides an intensive, thought-provoking, and fresh perspective on how women are getting cancer, while the mainstream culture provides hope, support, and sisterhood. So, based on how you want to approach cancer, or what you want to support you have options. Another strength is that the movement is now so large their voice is usually heard, and the health issue has been made a priority. This has helped make sure that the research going into this health issue is always taken care of.

            To conclude, there are both strengths and weaknesses to the “mainstream breast cancer culture”. The difference of opinions between the mainstream and eco-feminists has helped provide wider support, answers, and approaches. Additionally, they have a powerful voice and it is heard often. The weakness includes the wrong message, categorization, and corrupt business. I think it is important to point out as well that the more we focus on this issue and look at it from different perspectives the more progress that we make.

1. Ley, Barbara. “The Cultural Politics of Sisterhood.” From Pink to Green: Disease Prevention and the Environmental Breast Cancer Movement, Rutgers University Press, 2009.

2. Videos, Documentary and Educational, director. Pink Ribbons. Dailymotion, Dailymotion, 3 Aug. 2017, www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vqdad.