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Monday, Nov 02nd 2009
Should Breast Self-Exams be Shown on TV?
I'm a bit uncomfortable with something I just came across on the Internet. It's about a television station in Washington D.C. airing an actual breast self-exam, with real demonstrations done by real women.
And some parental watchdog groups don't like it much.
You know what? I'm uncomfortable. NOT with the fact that this is being shown on television - but instead, with the fact that the television station is being accused by some as trying to boost their ratings, since this two-part series is being aired during the fall sweeps. Some are calling it a "ratings stunt."
Well, breast cancer awareness month happens to fall in the Fall. That's one thing. And another thing? So many women are uncomfortable with, or don't know how, to examine their own breasts...and I think many would be grateful to see a live demonstration. What's important, too, is that one of the women doing the demonstration is a woman who discovered her own breast cancer by a self-exam. Along with that are interviews with two very public women dealing with breast cancer, one of them being Elizabeth Edwards.
So, I'm curious: what do you think? Does this offend you...or do you applaud the television station for helping women?
You may also like to read:
Questions to Ask at Your Breast Exam
Overcoming the Fear of Breast Cancer
Comments
Nov 04, 2009 00:Nov 12 | Frugal Kiwi said
Do we still have to be Pilgrims?
Honestly, the prudishness of American culture is exhausting. A breast, a foot, a nose, they are all just parts of the body.
Nov 03, 2009 16:Nov 4 | Stephanie - Wasabimon said
Nov 03, 2009 11:Nov 11 | Meredith Resnick - The Writer's [Inner] Journey said
Why is it okay to talk about
Why is it okay to talk about curing breast cancer and merchandise the heck out of the cause but not okay to show a tasteful video of how to perform a self exam?
Nov 03, 2009 09:Nov 9 | Susan Johnston said
Whatever the TV station's
Whatever the TV station's real intentions, showing a breast self-exam could save lives, so that's reason enough for me. And it's ridiculous that people would take offense from that!
Nov 03, 2009 08:Nov 8 | Katherine Lewis said
We are such prudes in this
We are such prudes in this country. In Europe this would never be a controversy. And even if people do tune in for prurient reasons, who cares? The program may also save a life. (or a boob!)
Nov 02, 2009 21:Nov 9 | Alisa Bowman said
breast health
I think our country is way too obsessed with breasts. It's okay for them to be hanging out on a beach, but not okay to be in a tight T shirt in Hooters. It's okay in an evening gown, but it's not okay in other settings. They are just a body part. I, for one, would love to see a self exam just like I'd like to see real pictures of skin cancer. Because I never know if I am doing my own the correct way.
Nov 02, 2009 18:Nov 6 | ReadyMom said
I can see I'll veer from the
I can see I'll veer from the majority here, but why is it that you can't demonstrate or explain how to do a breast self exam without showing disrobed women? And to be a bit cynical, I wonder if there isn't something to that story about the series running during sweeps. I have a hard time believing that a local news station is doing this just as a service to women without any thought to the ratings boost.
My thought is the best way to have a real understanding about how to do an exam is to talk to your health care provider and go through it together, which I did recently. My grandmother had breast cancer, so I try to be proactive.
Nov 02, 2009 20:Nov 8 | Sheryl said
Brave of you to take another
Brave of you to take another stance, ReadyMom. I'm almost always willing to weigh both sides of a story (I'm a Libra, after all - the scales) but this time I just can't. I'd like to think that their intentions are true and responsible. Most health care providers simply don't take the time out to teach BSE; if yours does, then you have someone really special.
I'm so glad you are proactive with your breast health!
Nov 02, 2009 17:Nov 5 | Sheryl said
Wardrobe malfunction - how
Wardrobe malfunction - how funny!
Yes, cleavage on tv is encouraged, and not this...outrageous.
Nov 02, 2009 17:Nov 5 | Sheryl said
Wardrobe malfunction - how
Wardrobe malfunction - how funny!
Yes, cleavage on tv is encouraged, and not this...outrageous.
Nov 02, 2009 11:Nov 11 | Vera Marie Badertscher said
Nov 02, 2009 11:Nov 11 | Jennifer Margulis said
Yes, show it on TV
I think things like breast exams and home birth ABSOLUTELY SHOULD be shown on TV. Women are not just sexual objects and their breasts aren't only for the bedroom. The TV station is doing the right thing and helping to empower women to be more healthy. The people criticizing them are wrong.
Nov 02, 2009 10:Nov 10 | ruth pennebaker said
breast exams
I'm a little confused. It's OK to focus on women's cleavage when it's sexy, but not when it's to save lives? Oh, please.
Nov 02, 2009 10:Nov 10 | marthaandme said
Interesting isn't it, that
Interesting isn't it, that some medical organization (I can't remember it was ACOG or another) now recommends AGAINST doing self-exams. How crazy is that? I agree with you about this. It seems to me it's information women need to have.
Nov 02, 2009 10:Nov 10 | Sheryl said
Yes, Alexandra, I
Yes, Alexandra, I wholeheartedly agree. It's taking censorship a little too far, without any type of consideration as to how this can benefit millions of women.
Nov 02, 2009 10:Nov 10 | Alexandra said
Breast exam demonstration on TV
If more people knew how to do the breast exam, they might catch the cancer earlier. I applaud this television station. How ridiculous to impose a sexual connotation to a lesson on self-examination!
