October A Cruel Month for Some Breast Cancer Survivors

The month of October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while it is intended to bring attention to the cause, but as it grows there is an unexpected effect on many survivors. Doctors are seeing that while some of their patients appreciate the attention and awareness that it brings others find that it is distressing to have it brought back to their attention on a daily basis.

A trauma therapist out of Adelphi University in New York, Dr Deborah Serani, explains that the ‘anniversary effect’ is a time of year, often the time that a trauma has occurred, where feelings of anxiety and troubling thoughts can arise. This is in direct connection to the feelings that are connected with trauma. For those who are survivors of breast cancer find that the month of October “a re-traumatizing experience, and that it is bringing recollections of the time they were diagnosed, the treatments, and how they felt during those times.

Marketing Doesn’t Mirror Real Life

One of the other concerns is that the images used during the month are of survivors, people doing fun runs, and no way to show the reality of it all, with an avoidance of the fact that many do not survive. People aren’t seeing the harsh realities of it seen in the advertisements and are rallying behind false images that don’t represent how the survivors or those who are in treatment are truly feeling.

Then the month passes and the focus shifts back to regular and mundane things, leaving some feeling invisible and unnoticed. The co-founder of The Breasties nonprofit, Bri Majsiak describes how it can feel like companies are using it to go along with everyone else for the month, like any other seasonal event, and then moving right to thanksgiving.

Suggestions for Survivors to Get Through October

Some of the suggestions from survivors and the therapists and other doctors who work with them to get through October include taking a break from social media, giving yourself permission to attend or avoid awareness events, and share only what and when you feel comfortable with. There can be a lot of pressure to share your story and to attend the events, but it is your story to share only with the people that you want too, so if you want to share on your media and use your voice for everyone to hear you should, but if you’d rather share with only one or two people in a more intimate setting than you should follow what feels right to you.

To help other survivors, or if you aren’t a survivor and just want to help friends or family through, there are ways that you can change your interactions not only in October. It is important to respect the wants and preferences of others, to avoid making them feel compared to others or dismissed, avoid cute phrases that can feel out of place, and don’t share someone else’s story. Be selective of the stores and products you support, to ensure your money goes to where it is useful, items you will use, or just donate to an organization that helped your friend or loved one.