Response to Kushner…
by bobbyg
After reading Rose Kushner’s, If You’ve Thought About Breast Cancer, I thought to myself how this reading can be very useful to women and men who are concerned about the possibility breast cancer. Although the table of contents covers a wide range of steps, starting from seeing which doctor to post cancer treatment, the reading covers only up to reducing the risk of breast cancer. Interestingly this reading is formatted similar to a manual; it is organized in categories and outlines the necessary steps of seeing a doctor and what to do after a self examination.
I believe that Kushner provides a detailed account necessary for individuals who are: unaware of the seriousness of breast cancer, uninformed of how to deal with breast cancer or knowing somebody with breast cancer and in need of help. I did take up much information that I was previous unaware of. Although the reading is not much in length it does allow me to question whether there is further information that would also be of relevance to dealing with Breast Cancer.
What I found interesting from the reading was the section; Can healthy practices reduce breast cancer risk? Kushner provides some references to previous studies done on diet and breast cancer. I found this section interesting because not only does she focus on breast cancer she also informs the reader on questioning their own diets and exercise which is linked to many forms of cancer and heart diseases.
Hey Bobby,
I felt the same way after reading it. I had a hard time analyzing the text at first. After thinking about it, this pamphlet was produced in the late 1980s, and honestly, I don’t think much has changed ‘information wise’. So what is breast cancer ‘knowledge’ or ‘awareness’ actually doing? I recently read an article about contaminated sites (Vancouver specifically). Regulations weren’t made on toxins in soil, water contamination etc. until the 1970s. Companies who reviewed the site found links to toxins in soil and cancer in families. I think it would be interesting if further research was done on things in our daily lives and environment that can result in cancer, rather than 10km runs and reading pamphlets on how to check for lumps.
Yes, It is very interesting how she related ones own diet and breast cancer. She took it a step further in including other factors in as well.
Her writings are definitely informative, I personally learned a lot. And I liked how you said that it can also help individuals who are curious about the “possibility of it”.