Speak Out 11/6/16

Cancer support

I am so very disappointed in SEMO athletics, local hospitals, and the community of Cape Girardeau for once again buying into the hype of the various versions of “Pink it Up” this past month. I have lost family members to breast cancer and am female. It’s a horrible disease. However, all cancers are horrible, and SEMO athletics, this community, and our culture at large do a great disservice to those who have lost their battle to cancers other than breast cancer. Breast cancer isn’t even the No. 1 killer. Not by a very long shot. Lung & bronchial cancer results in about four times as many deaths annually as breast cancer; the second most deadly type is colorectal. ... Unless the city is going to recognize all the various cancers with “navy blue it up” and “green it up” and so on, it should NOT participate in anything in which the community is “pinked up”. Just support Stand Up To Cancer or the American Cancer Society and recognize those who have died as a result of all cancers, not just breast cancer.