Recently, celebrity reporter Guiliana Rancic announced that she was recently diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer. For those followings he public journey with infertility of her and her husband Bill Rancic (of "The Apprentice" fame), hopes were that this 3rd attempt with IVF would be the time that finally they would have their miracle. As a result of testing required by the infertility specialist, Guiliana found out that she has the early stages of Breast Cancer. She is only 37.
Improvements and developments in the media and communication have increased the knowledge and awareness of breast cancer and most recently diagnosis in younger women (those under the age of 40). Public figures like Guiliana Rancic, are bringing about the awareness of Breast Cancer into the public eye. Only now, with both her public struggles with infertility and now breast cancer are we seeing the pink ribbon of breast cancer and the teal ribbon of infertility awareness crossing. Why haven't we seen this before? Surely there were others who struggled with infertility and cancer! Why are people more apt to talking about cancer but not about infertility?
Studies have shown that women with infertility are at an increased risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancers although it's unknown if it's related to decreased or increased hormonal levels or progesterone and estrogen levels. Controversy still surrounds the risks of infertility medications and cancer as well. With this knowledge, why haven't ribbons crossed earlier? Because people aren't standing up and speaking about it.
There still seems to be an issue with individuals coming out about their struggle. People tend not to want to talk about infertility. But they will talk about their boobs. So if the reason is embarrassment, wouldn't it be just as embarrassing to talk about your boobs and cancer in said body parts? Possibly the cause of hesitation is because of a feeling of being flawed. While cancer is not generally something that one is born with, many people believe that they were born with infertility, even when that isn't the case. A man is more likely to stand up and talk about having testicular cancer but not to admitting to low sperm counts or erectile disfunction (no matter how many times a viagra commercial might make you try and think otherwise).
Why should we be embarrassed about our infertility? Are we afraid of the comments that will be made if people knew? Guess what? They are already talking and making comments...what's the difference. If we don't stand up and start talking about it we can't expect others to become aware and to stand up for us. But its not just our infertility...its our overall health. I found myself recently becoming so obsessed with things and overwhelmed with responsibilities and keeping myself busy that I ended up sick. Severe tonsilities (with a possiblity of Strep...the cultures are yet to be finished...) has now left me speechless in talk but not in my written genre!
Improvements and developments in the media and communication have increased the knowledge and awareness of breast cancer and most recently diagnosis in younger women (those under the age of 40). Public figures like Guiliana Rancic, are bringing about the awareness of Breast Cancer into the public eye. Only now, with both her public struggles with infertility and now breast cancer are we seeing the pink ribbon of breast cancer and the teal ribbon of infertility awareness crossing. Why haven't we seen this before? Surely there were others who struggled with infertility and cancer! Why are people more apt to talking about cancer but not about infertility?
Studies have shown that women with infertility are at an increased risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancers although it's unknown if it's related to decreased or increased hormonal levels or progesterone and estrogen levels. Controversy still surrounds the risks of infertility medications and cancer as well. With this knowledge, why haven't ribbons crossed earlier? Because people aren't standing up and speaking about it.
There still seems to be an issue with individuals coming out about their struggle. People tend not to want to talk about infertility. But they will talk about their boobs. So if the reason is embarrassment, wouldn't it be just as embarrassing to talk about your boobs and cancer in said body parts? Possibly the cause of hesitation is because of a feeling of being flawed. While cancer is not generally something that one is born with, many people believe that they were born with infertility, even when that isn't the case. A man is more likely to stand up and talk about having testicular cancer but not to admitting to low sperm counts or erectile disfunction (no matter how many times a viagra commercial might make you try and think otherwise).
Why should we be embarrassed about our infertility? Are we afraid of the comments that will be made if people knew? Guess what? They are already talking and making comments...what's the difference. If we don't stand up and start talking about it we can't expect others to become aware and to stand up for us. But its not just our infertility...its our overall health. I found myself recently becoming so obsessed with things and overwhelmed with responsibilities and keeping myself busy that I ended up sick. Severe tonsilities (with a possiblity of Strep...the cultures are yet to be finished...) has now left me speechless in talk but not in my written genre!
Take care of your health. You are the only "you" that "you" have.
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