Breast cancer is a real issue that affects all women around the world and it’s a little unsettling to know that a significant portion of people in the Asian community still find talk of women’s body parts to be taboo and an awkward subject matter altogether. Our writer feels differently and thinks that the issues are much bigger than our personal stance on sexuality and gender, therefore a proper education about women’s health is in order.
This week, Herman talks to Mediacorp celebrities, Sharon Au and Hossan Leong, celebrity blogger, Dawn Yang and Estee Lauder’s BCA 2011 Ambassadors about social awareness, interpersonal communication and women’s health. He also finds out the different terms ladies use to refer to their breasts.
About the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and Estee Lauder Companies
The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is a worldwide effort in over 70 countries that raises awareness about the importance of breast health and how early detection can save lives. Launched in 1992, it emphasizes the power of many millions of people joining together around the world with one voice to spread this all-important message.
Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in United States
From 1993 to October 2011, the campaign will have raised close to $50 million in contributions to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
---Interviews @ BCA 2011 Campaign---
Herman: Hi Hossan and Sharon, my name is Herman and I’m a writer at PopConversation. I understand that everyone here at the event tonight has an important message to convey to the public and I just so happen to have a blog that serves as a wonderful medium on which ideas can be spread in the form of text and images.
Please tell us more about the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness and the part that we have to play to keep our loved ones healthy and happy.
Hossan Leong: Breast cancer awareness is very important especially in a community like Singapore where a lot of people are shy and they hesitate to approach critical topics like this. I’d like to commend Estee Lauder for working with the Breast Cancer Foundation to support such a worthy cause and they’re lighting up the Singapore Flyer in pink to show Singaporeans that there is hope in curing and preventing breast cancer when you detect it early.
I’m here today to get the message out to everyone!
Singapore Flyer in Pink
Sharon Au: I wrote a pledge that said, “We will survive”. For me there shouldn’t be a difference between the people who have been afflicted with the disease and the non-suffers; I feel that we’re all interconnected and hence affected in one way or another.
When someone in our family gets sick, other members in the family also suffer just as much or maybe even more, therefore you could say that the effects of breast cancer are more far reaching than one would like to think and it concerns all families in Singapore. If everyone made a little effort to raise awareness about breast cancer, we’d all be better prepared to combat this ailment.
MediaCorp Artistes Sharon Au and Hossan Leong
---BCA 2011 Ambassadors---
Herman: Hi Ambassadors of BCA 2011, how does it feel to be championing this important social cause? Also, why do some Singaporeans find it difficult to have an open talk about tonight's topic?
Dawn Yang: I’m honoured to be invited to take on the role as an Ambassador, I’m more than happy to lend my time and my blog to support this meaningful cause that helps to save more lives.
I don’t think there’s anyway that one can skirt around the talk of breast cancer, you’d have to be very practical about it and tell them that it’s a serious discussion about one’s health and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about especially when it concerns your well being and your life ☺
X-Wen: It shouldn’t be that big of an issue, it is after all a natural body part of women. It also helps that I’m a really straightforward person ☺
Sylvia: Like X-Wen, I have no inhibitions about talking about female body parts, but being 18, I don’t think I’d talk to boys my age about it because they wouldn’t be mature enough to understand the gravity of the matter.
Suhana: I have a different take on things as I come from a more conservative family and we’re not as open to discussions about these issues, and as you would imagine, topics like puberty and sex are also challenging to put forth. You’d get a wierd look when you bring up things like that, so I figure that's why most people would choose to just keep quiet about it to avoid awkwardness.
Patricia: I agree with Suhana. I feel that a way around the matter would be to surround yourself with more open minded people, people that you can feel comfortable confiding in about more sensitive issues such as breasts and the health of your other more intimate female body parts.
Herman: On a lighter note, there’s literally over a hundred different ways you can refer to your breasts and I have poor vocabulary. How else do the ladies term their bosoms?
X-Wen: Melons
Sylvia: Boobs
Patricia: Boobs
Suhana: Ba dang dangs.
Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2011 Ambassadors
---End of Interviews @ BCA 2011 Campaign---
---Shoutouts---
Ms Noor Quek, President of Breast Cancer Foundation, Singapore
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---Image Credits---
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
