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Kelly the Kitchen Kop

Are the Pink Ribbons a Scam?

81 Comments

*Amazon or other affiliate links may be included, see full disclosure after the post. I'm not a medical professional, so use anything you read here only as a starting point for your own research.

Could it be?  Are the pink ribbons a scam??!!

Have you ever wondered about the pink ribbons we see everywhere, especially on all the pink ribbon merchandise?  Could the whole thing be a big scam?  When you think about it, does the Susan B. Komen Foundation really understand breast cancer and what's important for preventing it or curing it, when they promote things like fast food and “KFC Buckets for the Cure“?!

And have you seen this:

Why did Komen for the Cure give Nancy Brinker a 64 percent raise? – Komen, already under fire for shrinking contributions for breast cancer research, paid its CEO $684,000 last year.

and this…

‘Pinkwashing' info from Wikipedia.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  By questioning the pink ribbon campaign, I mean no disrespect to those who have fought the breast cancer battle or those with loved ones who have done so.  As a matter of fact, my mom and more than one good friend are breast cancer survivors!

(Update:  likely it was the radiation treatment they used on Mom's original breast cancer that caused the stage 4 cancer throughout her body that came back and took her life just a few years later!  Here are my posts on that:  It's not benign and I've already had a run-in with the cancer doc and How do you say goodbye to your Mom?)

This meme is from @DavidAvocadoWolfe on FB many years ago:

So as with anything else, we need to question what we're giving and raising money for.

You may have seen this movie, Pink Ribbons, Inc., and the trailer is powerful.  (You have to watch that below, it's short.)  This is the DVD description on Amazon:

The ubiquitous pink ribbons of breast cancer philanthropy – and the hand-in-hand marketing of brands and products associated with that philanthropy– permeates our culture, providing assurance that we are engaged in a successful battle against this insidious disease. But the campaign obscures the reality and facts of breast cancer – more and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and face the same treatment options they did 40 years ago. Yet women are also the most influential market group, buying 80 percent of consumer products and making most major household purchasing decisions. So then who really benefits from the pink ribbon campaigns — the cause or the company? And what if the very companies and products that profit from their association have actually contributed to the problem?

In showing the real story of breast cancer and the lives of those who fight it, Pink Ribbons, Inc. reveals the co-opting of what marketing experts have labeled a “dream cause.”

Click here to get the full movie, Pink Ribbons, Inc…

Here are a few excerpts from the trailer:

The first ribbon was salmon colored, made by a woman named Charlotte Haley.  Estée Lauder came to her and said, ‘We love your ribbon and we want to make this a symbol of breast cancer.'  And Charlotte said, ‘No, that's about your bottom line.'  They said, ‘Well all we have to do if we want it is to change the ribbon:  pink.'”

“It is hypocrisy to use carcinogens in products and at the same time be raising money for a cure.” 

“It's almost like our disease is being used for people to profit.  And that's not okay.”

Read more details here:  Think Before You Pink.

Watch the trailer below and then tell us – what do you think, are the pink ribbons a scam?

By the way, a reader friend, Sharon, emailed me and made an even better point than I have:

The primary reason I will never get behind the “pink” campaign is because it is spearheaded by the Susan Komen foundation. The Komen foundation is also a huge supporter of Planned Parenthood, to whom they provide funds/grants that provide funding for abortions. It's always astounded me that a group that supports the ostensible saving of lives by research into “the cure” also supports genocide.“

Check out this shocking and wonderful 2019 update!!!

Have you seen my other posts on this topic?

More you might like:

Photo credit, Creative Commons, 2.0

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Comments

  1. Numi says

    For largely unknown factual information on the fraudulent ‘war on cancer’ and the breast cancer awareness movement do a search for “A Mammogram Letter The British Medical Journal Censored” by Rolf Hefti and scroll down to the afterword that addresses the ‘war on cancer’ and the pink ribbon movement.

    Once you have read this set of solid factual information one or the other of the following will happen to you:

    “When people who are honestly mistaken learn the truth, they will either cease being mistaken, or cease being honest!” (Anonymous)

    Once you know that information you will never look at the cancer industry and orthodox medicine the same way because you have woken up to authentic reality rather than continuing to be hoodwinked by a fabricated fake reality. Or… you keep being dishonest and thereby contribute to the fake reality, the official lies, the destructive world.

    Reply

  3. Samia says

    It is also about the feminizing of men by forcing male sports teams, other groups, etc. to wear pink ribbons or other pink paraphernalia.

    Reply

  5. Jodi Mixon says

    Exactly: I cringe when I see the pink ribbon next to a toxic product placement. I embrace when I see a woman wear one.

    The ubiquitous pink ribbons of breast cancer philanthropy – and the hand-in-hand marketing of brands and products associated with that philanthropy– permeates our culture, providing assurance that we are engaged in a successful battle against this insidious disease. But the campaign obscures the reality and facts of breast cancer – more and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and face the same treatment options they did 40 years ago. Yet women are also the most influential market group, buying 80 percent of consumer products and making most major household purchasing decisions. So then who really benefits from the pink ribbon campaigns — the cause or the company? And what if the very companies and products that profit from their association have actually contributed to the problem?

    Reply

  6. Gail Littlejohn says

    It’s a big scam. They are all sitting back laughing all the way to the bank and already know the cure for cancer, but continue to rake in billions.

    Reply

  7. Laura Stollorz Schroeder says

    I also wonder why men’s cancer does not receive the same importance and popularity as the women’s breast cancer agenda.

    Reply

  9. Rachel Blauwkamp says

    They have the treatment for cancer but won’t tell you what it is because it doesn’t put $$$ in their pockets.

    Reply

  11. Cheryl Smith Tredway says

    As a breast cancer survivor myself I will never support the Komen foundation. Their hypocrisy in allowing grants to Planned Parenthood, an organization that pushes abortions that have been linked to breast cancer is beyond reason.

    Reply

  12. Rochelle Clark Waggoner says

    I am with you on the pink ribbons. I didn’t realize you are anti Planned Parehthood though. If you do your research on them like you do other things such as pink ribbons, you will find they provide much needed women’s health services. Just a few years ago, my daughter got much needed health care from them when no one else was available. It was a blessing to have them. This was not abortion services either. My daughter is gay, so not even about birth control. It was health care.

    Reply

  15. rusthawk says

    Two HUGE thumbs down on the Susan Komen foundation. There’s enough info out there on this group, easily found, that shows what they really are and what they really do. They’ll never get anything from me.

    Reply

  18. Maurreen Janovic says

    It is a huge scam. Another group playing on peoples sympathies and fears. So little of the money goes to research. And the research they do support is absolutely worthless. So many people running 5K’s or whatever to raise money for this organization that does nothing to help the ones with cancer. I won’t donate and i never buy anything with a pink ribbon on it. I would get behind an organization that helps people to find the reason behind their illness, i.e., cancer, but to collect money for bogus research is a total waste of my time, energy and money.

    Reply

  19. Danielle Levins says

    Complete scam, at this point it’s more of a brand like Kraft or any other big name brands, than it is a charity.

    Reply

  21. Kim Janak Norwood says

    I won’t donate to them as they get a pretty low rating from Charity Navigator. There’s better charities to donate to.

    Reply

  23. Jill-David Boman says

    Scam. I go out of my way to avoid buying anything connected to SGK. I would support REAL research that seeks to uncover and expose CAUSES of breast cancer (among which I believe are mammograms, which SGK heavily promotes), but SGK is just another cash cow for its own administrators and Pharma.

    Reply

  28. Mavis Megler says

    I think so! What started out as a selfless & well meaning cause has taken a very selfish attitude lately! A lot of charities are the same way!

    Reply

  29. Leesa Robinson says

    For me and my team we teach classes on wellness and prevention and discernment….joining the campaign of self-thinkers and people empowered by truth and wisdom and legit resources.

    Reply

  33. Trixie Grohman Ferguson says

    My mom also died of breast cancer and I will NOT support all this pink crap. I also refuse to be grammed. Insurance won’t pay for thermography so I guess it’s up to me and God to keep me well.

    Reply

    • Connie Georgacakes Lemmink says

      I do that, too. The bills are huge even with insurance and anyone undergoing mainstream treatment is spending a ton out of pocket.

      Reply

  37. Connie Georgacakes Lemmink says

    I lost my husband to cancer and do not support any of the huge money making cancer groups. More people today have cancer and we are no closer to a “cure” BECAUSE it is such a huge money maker. GREED is huge and not healthy.

    Reply

  38. Kathryn Hicks says

    Companies are ‘pinking’ junk food, cakes, yoghurts, soft drinks, and dozens of products that I wouldn’t dream of consuming and promoting them as a fund raiser – not as a ‘healthy’ fund raiser, but as a way to raise money for BC research. The products they are promoting are possibly part of the reason for the surge in various cancers and chronic illnesses – how can any thinking person believe that a pink label will suddenly make junk food or other unhealthful products suddenly OK? And as for ‘doing it for cancer research’ – most of the money goes to production and profit; only about 2-3cents in the $$ is donated to cancer research – if you want to really help cancer research, go without the junk and make a real donation.

    Reply

  40. Joseph Coppola IV says

    The pink ribbon scam. Ladies isn’t it nice to know how much society cares about breast cancer. We spend billions every year to keep searching for that magic cure. Actually it is like we are spending billions every year on pink ribbons to keep the secret of hope hidden. Burzynskimovie.com. Since the 70s people have known about a cure. The most promising and non toxic medicine ever. An absolute miracle in science. But it is not available. The pharmaceutical giants have the government in their pocket. Then they mislead the public with nonsense. Watch movie one and two. Then see how you can sleep.

    Reply

  41. Rosie says

    The Komen organization keeps telling women that the true cause(s) of breast cancer are still unknown (only “risk factors” are recognized), thus they need you to give them more money for breast cancer research. However, science has known for many years already what the most probable primary cause of breast cancer is: medical x-rays (read “The Mammogram Myth: The Independent Investigation Of Mammography The Medical Profession Doesn’t Want You To Know About” by Rolf Hefti. Also see https://www.TheMammogramMyth.com ). The entire pink ribbon hoopla and mammography is one big racket.

    Reply

  42. DS says

    I urge people to read the PhD diet book. It’s hard going at first, but if you want to prevent cancer, they have some very eye-opening things to say. In a sane world, this would be front page news, but it would sure cut down on the Cancer Business.

    Reply

  44. Brittany Ardito says

    Great article. This is the reason I quit giving to cancer charities and organizations a long time ago.

    Reply

  45. [email protected] says

    I thought I was perhaps the only one who was so critical of the pink ribbon campaign. I never thought I would see an internet article on this subject. Takes a lot of courage, Kelly! I also did not know there as a movie out. Cannot wait to see it and share. I am amazed that there are cancer survivors who are actually critical of it too, according to the trailer. We have breast cancer survivors in our family too, and it can be so personal to those who have gone through it but I totally agree with this pink ribbon campaign nonsense. For a long time now I have refused to support anything with a pink ribbon. They are barking down the wrong tree, in regards to cures and prevention. If you guys have not read Cancer: Step Outside the Box, you must! It is a thick book but totally comprehensive regarding the corruption of the Cancer Industry, and every natural cure you can think of, and how to implement it. And then how to prevent cancer. It is an amazing, amazing book. We have recommended it to so many customers who are suffering.

    Nickole

    Reply

    • Jeanmarie says

      There are a lot of us out here who are against pink washing! Thanks again, Kelly, for raising awareness.

      Reply

  46. Nina says

    I stopped supporting the Komen Foundation when I found out they backed Planned Parenthood. I don’t believe in abortion and Planned Parenthood supports that!

    Reply

  47. Kari says

    Hi Kelly,

    First of all, I really enjoy your blog and the wealth of information that you make available. I like that you are out spoken (this is a good thing) and say what’s gets under your skin..well this subject is one that irks the heck out of me. I am a breast cancer survivor and was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I have chosen to fight naturally and I AM WINNING!!! I am blogging while going through this trail in life.
    Anyway, I no longer support these organizations as I did when I was diagnosed but my family, specifically my mother, continues to raise money yearly. We bump heads every year because of this.

    Here’s my formal rant on this subject: https://canceryoulose.com/2013/04/16/ugh-so-sick-and-tired-of-cancer/

    Reply

  48. Kathy says

    Morality issue of abortion aside, there is a connection between abortion and breast cancer which may account for why so many young women are getting breast cancer. Why would SGK give to PP if it really wanted to end cancer?

    Reply

    • Jen says

      This is false. There is no connection between abortion and breast cancer, and it is criminal for certain politicians to pass laws that require physicians to lie to their patients about this.

      Here is a quote from The American Cancer Society website:

      “Results from major prospective studies

      The largest, and probably the most reliable, study on this topic was done during the 1990s in Denmark, a country with very detailed medical records on all its citizens. In this study, all Danish women born between 1935 and 1978 (a total of 1.5 million women) were linked with the National Registry of Induced Abortions and with the Danish Cancer Registry. All of the information about their abortions and their breast cancer came from registries – it was very complete and was not influenced by recall bias.

      After adjusting for known breast cancer risk factors, the researchers found that induced abortion(s) had no overall effect on the risk of breast cancer. The size of this study and the manner in which it was done provide good evidence that induced abortion does not affect a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

      Another large, prospective study was reported on by Harvard researchers in 2007. This study included more than 100,000 women who were between the ages of 29 and 46 at the start of the study in 1993. These women were followed until 2003.

      Again, because they were asked about childbirths and abortions at the start of the study, recall bias was unlikely to be a problem. After adjusting for known breast cancer risk factors, the researchers found no link between either spontaneous or induced abortions and breast cancer.

      The California Teachers Study also reported on more than 100,000 women in 2008. Researchers asked the women in 1995 about past induced and spontaneous abortions. While the women were being followed in the study, more than 3,300 developed invasive breast cancer. There was no difference in breast cancer risk between the group who had either spontaneous or induced abortions and those who had not had an abortion.”

      Here is another quote from the same article:

      “In February 2003, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) held a workshop of more than 100 of the world’s leading experts who study pregnancy and breast cancer risk. The experts reviewed human and animal studies that looked at the link between pregnancy and breast cancer risk, including studies of induced and spontaneous abortions. Some of their findings were:

      • Breast cancer risk is increased for a short time after a full-term pregnancy (that is, a pregnancy that results in the birth of a living child).
      • Induced abortion is not linked to an increase in breast cancer risk.
      • Spontaneous abortion is not linked to an increase in breast cancer risk.”

      Here is the link if you’d like to read the whole article: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/is-abortion-linked-to-breast-cancer

      Reply

  49. Jeanmarie says

    Amen! Pink ribbons are about profit, exploiting the work of volunteers and the hopes of patients and survivors. It’s disgusting.

    Reply

  50. Tracey says

    Thank you for posting this! I have been personally affected by breast cancer as both my aunt and mom are survivors. I won’t buy into Pink Washing, won’t get mammograms (get thermography instead), won’t wear underwire bras, take Vitamin D daily, eat a real food diet. It’s about prevention. Preach it and spread the word! 🙂

    Reply

  51. Heather Mayfield says

    Thanks, Kelly for posting about this. It was one of your posts that made me decide not to get a screening mamogram in my mid 30’s. Thank you for sharing this side of the cancer story.

    The recent Stand Up campaign really gets me right now as well. If I spend at least $10 a one cent donation is made. What kind of donation is that! They make 2-3% ,but donate a penny.

    Reply

    • KitchenKop says

      Hi Heather,

      Your statement freaks me out:

      “It was one of your posts that made me decide not to get a screening mammogram in my mid 30′s.”

      While I certainly wouldn’t have gotten a screening mamm. in my 30’s either, please don’t make any major decisions like that only on what you read here or on what I say, there’s too much I don’t know! Hopefully you did tons of other research, too. 🙂

      Kel

      Reply

  52. Liz says

    What bothers me most is that the Susan B. Komen Foundation works with Planned Parenthood — if I remember correctly, they even get some of their funding from them. I won’t support any organization, no matter how great the cause, that advocates abortion.

    Reply

    • DS says

      Amen amen to that. My stand against abortion is my FIRST reason for not supporting them. But I also agree with Rich Z’s comments and Heather’s. Kombucha and Vitamin D and breastfeeding and not eating JUNK or putting junky stuff on my skin will do more to protect me from cancer than supporting any stupid pink ribbon. It bothers me that I can’t wear a color I particularly like without looking like I support what I consider to be a rip-off organization.

      Reply

    • Jeanmarie says

      Planned Parenthood doesn’t “advocate” abortion. They provide a range of women’s health-care services, with the emphasis on preventive medicine, breast exams, health checkups, birth control, etc. Abortions are only about 3% of the services they provide. No one is hoping to increase the number of abortions, only to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies. Sex education and birth control availability are the front line for that. (“Abstinence only” sex ed has not proven to be effective, but only increases teen pregnancy rates.) If you don’t want an abortion, don’t get one, but please don’t make it unavailable for those that need it. It’s not “cheap birth control,” it’s part of a range of medical care options that are appropriate and necessary under various circumstances, including sometimes saving the mothers life in a high-risk pregnancy. OK, end of soapbox speech.

      Interesting how the Susan G. Komen Foundation is slammed from all directions now. They lost a tremendous amount of public support and fundraising last year when it became public that they had slashed their funding for Planned Parenthood.

      “Since 2007, Komen has granted money to pay for 170,000 clinical breast exams and 6,400 mammogram referrals via the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In Jan. 2012, the foundation announced that it would no longer be funding PPFA allegedly due to pressure from pro-life advocates who objected to the health centers ties to abortion. (For the record, abortions only account for 3 percent of the organization’s total services.)” Source: https://bit.ly/1ba2rms)

      Now others are criticizing them for previously having worked with PP, even though they were directly funding preventive health care, not abortions. The result is that fewer women of limited means are getting their mammograms and other health checkups and able to obtain birth control. Many women are in relationships with domineering men who try to control their fertility, or who cannot afford, whether physically or financially, additional children. Or maybe they want to space their children. Being able to prevent an unwanted pregnancy is a blessing.

      Reply

      • KitchenKop says

        Hi Jeanmarie!
        While I disagree with some of what you said (taking someone’s life shouldn’t be available to anyone), I do agree that it’s very interesting how they’re getting heat from both sides. First they withdrew funding from PP and I was one of many who cheered. Then they caved almost right away and back-pedaled. Being wishy-washy just to keep everyone happy is a sure way to lose respect from both sides.
        Kel

        Reply

      • Nina says

        Jeanmarie,
        There are other organizations besides Planned Parenthood that can help girls when they need it. Crisis Pregnancy Center, church groups and National Right to life Organization. Lot’s of other choices besides ending the life of an innocent baby!

        Reply

        • Jen says

          Nina, Jeanmarie has pointed out that 97% of what Planned Parenthood does is preventative women’s health care. I doubt that right to life organizations and churches are going to provide breast exams, health check-ups, yearly PAP exams and birth control for low income women who are not pregnant, and have no other means of obtaining these services.

          Reply

        • Nina says

          Jen, I agree that it’s good that a group helps with breast exams, PAP exams and birth control. My problem is that they promote abortions. That 3% you talk about is a major concern of mine. Sorry can’t be sold on Planned Parenthood!!

          Reply

  53. Rich Z says

    AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Let’s be real cancer is a terrible disease- it kills people. Pink this and pink that will not create a cure. Facts: since organizations like Komen and American Cancer Society are non-profits they are required by law to file documents that clearly shows how much of every dollar you give goes to overhead and “research”. Organizations like this are nothing more than exploiters of emotions. They promote “awareness” – we are aware but we don’t do anything about it until it is too late. Some of these organizations give less than 35 cents on the dollar to finding a cure. Look for your self. There is money in sickness. Race for a cure? Race for more money to build more hospitals, more pharma research for drugs, prolonging disease. My mom and others close to me died of cancer I know. If there were a cure the healthcare economy would collapse. Look around and see what is growing- sickness! Are pink ribbons a scam- YES just like all other scams that play on emotions and vulnerabilities of people at their worse points.

    Reply

  55. Michelle says

    i work in medical research as an administrator, and that’s why I don’t give to any organization like that. And I’m not saying that the money is misspent or anything – though I am sure that it happens at times. But the way grants by these organizations are structured, any research being done is actually subsidized by the tax-payer, since most of the organizations that do research get funding from the federal government and a lot of them are government related schools.

    Reply

  56. PrimalParkGirl says

    Great to see you writing about this – I saw it last year and hassled all my friends to watch it!

    The interviews in the film are incredibly compelling and brilliantly highlight the links between unhealthy products (e.g. over-processed dairy) and their manipulative, cynical ‘health-washing’ via pink ribbons on the label and miniscule donations to charity.

    Reply

  57. Heather says

    My Mom died of breast cancer, and I don’t do pink ribbons. I’m not generally outspoken about it, because I don’t want to hurt feelings within my family, but the pink ribbon thing is scam. Where, for example is the “pink ribbon” org that is shouting from the rooftops that women need to get their vitamin D levels where they should be? Or telling young women that the longer they breastfeed their babies, the more that helps prevent breast cancer?

    (BTW, Kel, we are out on our land, camping, just got electricity and internet up yesterday. We have a pig and assorted poultry, and a Highland bull and bred heifer to pick up next weekend, so we will have raw milk of our own in the spring. Next is to enclose a spring for water, dig a hole in the side of a hill for a shipping container pantry, and get a house up before it snows. 🙂 )

    Reply

    • KitchenKop says

      Heather, you wild and crazy girl! 🙂 I’m happy for you, because I know this is what you wanted, but wow. I’m so happy that I’m going to walk into my bedroom and crawl into my bed to sleep in a few minutes, LOL! Keep me posted and take pictures remember!!!

      Kel

      Reply

  58. Suzanne says

    Agreed! Additionally, cancer is another disease of nutrition just like heart disease (for most people), diabetes, and most others. Thermography is a much better test than mammography. Unfortunately, GE makes all of the mammo machines so thermography is unpaid for by insurance companies.

    Reply

  59. Sharon says

    Yes, it’s one of the biggest scams ever. Just follow the $$$. All that unnecessary testing, mammography is causing much more damage than what they’re telling you. Every time you get a mammography on yearly basis, you increase your chances of getting cancer! Follow a good high fat/moderate protein/low-carb diet (not low-fat – big failure), moderate exercise, use a water distiller, along with nutritional supplements – Vit D-3, krill/fish oil, Vit C, Resveratrol, other anti-oxidants, minerals and iodine and you’ll live a healthy life!

    Reply

  60. Lynn says

    Major YAYS for you for putting yourself out there to challenge this whole ball of nonsense -the-emperor-has-no-clothes folderal. Instead of following along like sheep to the slaughter, women need to realize that the whole breast cancer thing is a vast, major, mega-bucks industry. It is NOT about saving lives. It is about making money. And about CAUSING cancer with mammography.

    Reply

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