In the Pink

If you watched any women's basketball today, you probably noticed that all the coaches were wearing pink in one form or another. It was a show of solidarity and support for one of the long time legends of women's college basketball, Kay Yow. It was also a show of support for women who have survived (or, sadly, not) breast cancer. Kay Yow has just returned to coaching her team after her third round with the disease.

I wonder why breast cancer gets such public support over all other forms of cancer. Today, I noticed that there is a company that sells a Pink Ribbon toothbrush. There are pink ribbon purses, and yogurts, and pretty much everything else. But, you don't see colon cancer toothbrushes.

Humans are the only creatures that look at breasts as anything other than a way to feed young. We define motherhood, womanhood, sexuality by breasts. Breasts are the most public of private parts. All of society claims some degree of ownership of women's breasts. Breasts are judged, they are displayed, they are propped up and faked.

But, even with all that, it is kinda interesting that a cancer that strikes mostly women gets so much concern and raises so much money for research and treatment. I can't decide if it's evidence of growing equality between the sexes, or if it's an outgrowth of seeing human women in need of being protected and taken care of. But, I guess in the long run, if women's lives are saved, what does it really matter?