The News Editorial: Bra display raised awareness to new heights

Who knew one of the biggest things to divide the Worland community would be bras and tank tops on display at Pioneer Square.

There was much debate about the Bras For A Cause display during two city council meetings and even more debate on social media, most of it civil.

As I read and listened to comments from people on both sides, I came to a few realizations.

First, I have come full circle from my comments on this space a few years ago when I wrote that I didn’t feel the push you see everywhere, especially in October, was necessary anymore. Everyone knew about breast cancer and knew about mammograms and breast exams.

My first thought in reading some social media comments was I wondered how many of the women conduct their breast exams on a regular basis? How many have had a mammogram?

I thought if people in today’s world are still uncomfortable to talk about bras and breasts and breast cancer and are embarrassed or disgusted or angered to see bras hanging, in what I thought was a tasteful display with only four actual bras, then I believe there is still much to be done in raising awareness of breast cancer.

Second, to the argument that if we hang bras to raise awareness for breast cancer awareness, then we should hang men’s underwear or jockstraps for prostate or testicular cancer, I say go for it.

If it raises awareness and begins discussion to the level that men will feel comfortable talking about those types of cancer, possibly getting screened when available, then I am all for it.

One commenter noted that this year, likely due to the bra controversy, there has been more discussion than ever about breast cancer. It truly did raise awareness.

We need to be able to talk about it, we need to hear stories of survivors so when we hear the “c” word we do not immediately think it a death sentence. Thank you to the survivors who shared their story Friday and those who were vulnerable and put their surviving dates on bras in the display.

So, no matter what side you were on my hope is that it brought some awareness to you, your family and your friends, and that you will take the necessary steps to be screened for breast cancer.

Without the bra line I feel most of us would have seen the pink balloons and ribbons and not given much thought about it or a passing thought of “oh ya, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that’s why all the pink.” Pink in October becomes at times too commonplace that we become numb to the actual message.

So kudos to Breast Cancer Awareness/Making STRIDESS committee for their efforts to continue to raise awareness and shake things up this year.

Kudos to the committee also for taking the comments into consideration and taking down the bra/tank top display two weeks early. They had received permission to have it up through Oct. 30. It was taken down on Monday.

Now women, and men, make sure to conduct your breast exam and if applicable, schedule your mammogram today.