We are repeatedly reminded and taught about all different types of cancer as we grow up. We learn that some can be obviously avoided but, on the other hand, how many can we really evade?

Thousands of ads in magazines, TV and many other places remind us cancer is still out there and there is no true cure for it. So what do we do as a society? We bring more awareness and educate people on what they should do if they are ever faced with cancer.

My problem does not fall exactly with the promotion of cancer awareness, but what does bother me the most is that, although several months of the year are dedicated to concentrate on different types of cancer, the one that gets the absolute most attention seems to be breast cancer.  

I am very aware that both men and women can get breast cancer, and it is absolutely non-preventable. I get it. And I support all that has to do with breast cancer. But if I see one more ribbon on the campus, whether it is on a hat or a book bag, I might go crazy.

Do not get me wrong, or think I am some heartless individual who does not appreciate the dedication breast cancer gets for one month out of the year. However, I am frustrated that it seems if one was not fully directed by another form of cancer, no one really knows or cares about the other types of cancer.

Breast cancer is not the only cancer that has a month dedicated to it, but the general population probably does not know this because the others just do not seem as important.

For example, ovarian cancer has a month devoted to bringing awareness to women around the world. However, I have never heard of it until now, which is unfortunate. It is known to be the silent killer in women, meaning that, unlike breast cancer, there is really no way to fully detect ovarian cancer ahead of time. If one gets breast cancer they can possibly feel a lump forming in their tissue.

It is just frustrating to know so many people in the world are dealing with so many other forms of cancer such as prostate, colon and liver, but yet the one that gets the most advertising, the most 5k walks and is the most well-known around the world especially in America is breast cancer.

Lung cancer kills twice as many women around the world as breast cancer. Yet, breast cancer is still the number one cancer that pops into people’s minds when they think of any form of cancer. I know very well that lung cancer is preventable, but does that mean it lacks importance? Cancer is cancer, and it kills millions of people every year, so if we are going to give attention to one form of cancer we should give it to all, regardless of the cause of the cancer.

All cancer is a serious matter whether a person caused it or it was through genetics. I just want an equal focus on all cancers out there. Even if that means cutting breast cancer awareness month to just a week, so other cancers get equal attention and consideration. It seems pretty reasonable to me, because all in all, cancer is cancer, no matter what its kind.