Why Spreading Breast Cancer Awareness Through Social Media Is Important
The year has taught us more than ever of what difficulties mean. It has taught us that we all are in this together and that our faith and willingness have the power to protect us in our most challenging moments.
Yes, October is the month of Halloween and of the pumpkin spice latte you are ordering from Starbucks but most importantly, it is the month of Breast Cancer Awareness.
The impact of social media on people’s lives and how easily news is spread around is widely known. It only requires a simple click of the share button and every post can be viewed by anyone around the world. Thus, it is crucial to carefully use such platforms to raise awareness on such sensitive issues.
According to Breast Cancer Now, one in seven women in the United Kingdom are expected to develop breast cancer. The key question to ask is, “how accessible is such information through social media?”
October has been devoted as the month to raise awareness on breast cancer for both men and women. The movement has spread globally which underlines the impact of social media as mentioned earlier.
It is not only concentrated within organizations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation but also, multinational companies like Coca Cola, sports organizations like NFL and celebrities have joined the movement.
Taylor Swift, an American singer-songwriter, has performed in gala nights organized by the Women’s Research Fund. In addition, she regularly participates in ads whose profits go to breast cancer research after learning about her mother’s tumour cancer. Supermodel Kate Moss has also taken part in campaigns set up by Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Additionally, according to a report by Chris Mandle, a journalist for the Independent, Angelina Jolie’s mastectomy, having gone through breast cancer herself, has increased public awareness on the issue.
Raising awareness is not only achieved through campaigning or volunteering but also through virtual means. For instance, hashtags such as #breastcancer #breastcancerawarnessmonth #pinkribbon #BCSM #goingflat work as a powerful tool for such a cause as they grab the viewer’s attention easily by targeting trending topics. Twitter along with Instagram, are popular platforms for circulation of hashtags where different organizations and people can post pictures, educational videos or even share their stories regarding the issue.
Such posts are more influential because they involve direct interaction with the audience as they can better understand their story.
On Instagram, under the hashtag #breastcancerawarness, three million-plus posts can be found.
Another platform that has gained momentum is TikTok. Several videos regarding breast cancer can be found under the same hashtag. What is outstanding about this app is that on the search page, the most prominent hashtags appear which aid in the cause of increasing knowledge on the topic. With TikTok, users can find creative ways to discuss breast cancer. For instance, a TikTok under the hashtag involved a painting in dedication to victims of breast cancer and their families.
Even on Facebook, posters and videos can be found which help patients understand the significance of the issue and how its occurrence can be identified.
Creative ways of spreading awareness on such issues can be reflected through university activities. The Public Eye Club along with the Culinary Club organized a breast awareness initiative, MUG CAKE MANIA, in which they organized a Kahoot quiz via Zoom. The students were tested on their knowledge regarding breast cancer.
When most of the students answered a question correctly, the sporting participants had to eat a bite of their mug cake with a sweet topping (i.e. Nutella, snickers, oreo). When the majority answered incorrectly, they took a bite of the cake with a bad topping (i.e. ketchup, mayo, mustard).
Such an initiative provides great ground for spreading knowledge on a sensitive issue whilst students can also have fun through their participation!
With the improvement of technologies, information can easily be found online and more people can acknowledge an issue in contrast to past years. Therefore, as active members of the social media community, we should make it our duty to spread knowledge on such sensitive issues and stand with breast cancer patients. Please help in spreading awareness, a hashtag comes for free.
#SpreadTheKnowledge
#BreastCancerAwareness
