Pink Ribbons, Inc

This post pertains to Earthling information. In 2011, a documentary entitled, Pink Ribbons, Inc. was released. If you are interested in science and economics, it’s more than worth your time.

It raises many different points, as well as questions concerning capitalism’s role in breast cancer. This documentary bravely includes parties from both sides of the fence. It points out the fact that many research companies do not share information as they are studying, so there are large gapsin our understanding of the disease, in spite of the amount of funds donated to the cause. In fact, more women get breast cancer now than they did in 1940. The documentary suggests that plastic may be a contributing factor.

It also shows how companies are capitalizing on the disease. Some release pink products, yet only donate a small percentage to the cause. In fact, many of these companies sell products containing carcinogens. It also tells the story of the original creator of the breast cancer ribbon, the meaning behind it, and her refusal to capitalize off of the cause.

  The documentary cleverly points out how the PR surrounding events have turned it in to a more consumer friendly disease. This is not helpful in the actual education process surrounding the disease. In fact, it can make those with advanced stages of the disease feel alienated. It even goes so far as to suggest that women need to get angry, without violence, in order to force programs to be more proactive in the prevention of the disease.

Reference: Pink Ribbons, Inc. (2011), directed by Lea Pool; written by Nancy Guerin, Patricia

Kearns, and Lea Pool.