After Ruth has her mastectomy, she’s struck by how few breast cancer survivors will talk about their stories (“Breast cancer is taboo. There’s a stigma associated with it.”) Why do you think this was? Do you think it’s still the case today? What has changed in the years since Ruth was diagnosed with cancer, and what, do you think, hasn’t?
So I thought on this overnight and here is my take - we as a whole are not very comfortable talking about serious illnesses. Sure, people sit around comparing aches and pains and talk about what medications they are on but typically a serious illness, especially cancer, is not something we discuss even now. I think cancer has a certain stigma to it, like what did you do to cause this - you must not have taken care of yourself very well! In addition, often people with cancer are seen as fragile or weak, or incapable of doing their jobs. Luckily survival rates have gone up significantly (recent studies indicate survival has gone up 34% from 1991 to 2021) so that is good. I think cancer is still a personal and very taboo subject.
At the time Ruth had her mastectomy, women didn’t feel comfortable discussing their stories. I think today, more women (and men) share their experiences. I wish there was more prevention than we have, and a cure. Also it would be helpful if insurance would totally cover the total testing.
I think more women especially are talking about their experiences. I met a woman the other day who was very frank about her mastectomy. Her being so open about it surprised me, but I was pleased she was willing to talk to me about it.
The lack of candor probably harkens back to the day when some believed that those who were sick were being punished by a deity. The other thing that might be at play is that many people don’t know what to say to someone who’s experienced tragedy. As a result they shy away from those folks (just when those afflicted need support). So some might be reluctant to talk about a cancer diagnosis because they fear their friends will desert them.
I agree with @Victoria_B, we don’t talk about serious illness. Not only is it seen as a weakness, somehow it is believed to be something that can “be caught” if we talk about it.
Recently, there was a serious diagnosis in my family. When I told my friend, she did not respond. Nothing! Then she changed the topic. After a few weeks, I brought it up and asked why she did that.
This was tough for me, but in a way it woke me up, that I too need to be more open to talking about serious health concerns.
I do think having more female doctors has made a difference. Women’s health is considered to be a topic. I remember my mother going through menopause and it being sluffed off as not valid concerns.
Also, I love how the wording has changed, women are no longer a cancer victim but instead we state cancer survivor! Way to go!
I think that women are more comfortable discussing breast cancer now than in Ruth Handler’s day. Many women have led the fight to have breast cancer recognized and discussed openly. And now NFL players wear pink shoes to support the fight against breast cancer! We have come a long way.
I agree…thankfully, it is no longer taboo to talk about breast cancer. I was a lingerie buyer from 1972-1975 during the time that there were not many options for women who had mastectomies. I brought in a surgeon to educate my sales staff and was able to find a bra and pad that looked very much like what Ruth created. In 2018, I had a mastectomy…today there are many more options than Ruth was faced with. I applaud her for her strength, drive & l leadership in giving up on Barbie & not giving up on a re-start in her career with Nearly New. Love this strong woman & reading about her amazing career path.
Yes, there has been one change since Ruth had her mastectomy. There is more awareness of Women’s Health issues. Alert! The rest of my post is rather long.
However, decades after men wore pink t-shirts and bumper stickers saying “Save the Ta-Tas”, we are in between the Awareness and Acceptance Stages. The third stage of change — ACTION! — is not happening as it would if this were a male health issue. (Breast Cancer only occurs in 1% of U.S. males.)
The reason is there’s a huge gap in funding research for Women’s Health issues vs Men’s. For more info if my post interests you, this is the best idea for real Action.
https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/12/to-advance-womens-health-research-nih-should-form-new-institute-and-congress-should-appropriate-new-funding-says-report
I agree with many of the above responses. People do discuss their more minor aches and pains, but when it comes to the C word, they don’t always want to discuss it with everyone. It becomes a more personal subject, and one that people want to keep private. When my mother suffered from breast cancer many years ago, I don’t recall the topic being taboo, just that people didn’t know what to say or how to respond.
Back then people didn’t really talk about cancer of any kind. Now people are much more open about sharing their stories. I think a lot of women have avoided breast cancer because they have learned so much from other women’s stories.
I think that during Ruth’s time women didn’t discuss anything publicly about their body. I was surprised that she was also instrumental in designing better fitting mastectomy bras.
Since my family has breast cancer survivors I believe women are more open about discussing their experiences
At that time in history, it was inappropriate to talk about your breasts. Thankfully, that has changed, and the progress made toward breast cancer and choices women have about their appearance has increased positively. Open discussions have also provided support for breast cancer survivors.