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‘Super’ Women Battle Breast Cancer in New Ad Campaign

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Cancer related image Photo: Getty Images

A new ad campaign in the African country of Mozambique is hoping to raise awareness about early breast cancer detection by enlisting some pretty powerful American women.

Wonder Woman, Storm, She-Hulk and Cat Woman have all been enlisted to fight breast cancer by teaching young women that even women of steel aren’t immune from having to perform breast self exams.

Each of the four ads features one super woman doing a not-so-cartoony thing: Publicly fondling their breasts, albeit, for a good cause.

Female artist Maisa Chaves drew the well-endowed iconic comic book characters from the chin to the torso, suggesting their identity by the heroines’ uniforms. (Some fans may argue their physique is part of their awesome super powers, so staying healthy is essential for battling arch rivals.) No word yet if DC or Marvel Comics has approved the campaign.

"When we talk about breast cancer, there's no women or superwomen. Everybody has to do the self-examination monthly. Fight with us against the enemy and, when in doubt, talk with your doctor,” the ad copy for the Associação da Luta Contra o Cancer (ALCC) reads.

These illustrations are grabbing eyeballs not just in Africa, but the world over. Don’t be surprised to see life-sized posters of the images hanging on fanboys (or girls) bedroom walls in the not-to-distant future. The artwork is the kind of gritty realism that’s sure to make geeks everywhere feel lightheaded.

While breast self exams do play a small role in finding a breast lump by chance, it’s primary purpose is for each woman to be “simply aware of what’s normal and report changes to a nurse or doctor right away,” according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

It is hoped that this eye-popping campaign will shock young women into going to see a doctor, according to ALCC, who is known for provocative in-your-face public awareness campaigns. The last one featured cockroaches and spiders living under women’s breasts.

Women need to be aware that breast self exams have their limitations,and not all breast lumps are cancer. In fact, about 8 in 10 aren’t cancer at all, according to ACS. Non-cancerous breast conditions are very common, and are never life-threatening. The two main types are fibrocystic changes and benign breast tumors.

The current guidelines recommend women in their 20s and 30s have a clinical breast exam as part of their regular health exam by a health professional at least every three years. After age 40, a yearly professional exam is recommended.

The ‘women of steel’ print ads appear on the ALCC Facebook page.

Lynette Summerill, an award-winning writer and scuba enthusiast lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and two beach loving dogs. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues for EmpowHER, her work has been seen in newspapers and magazines around the world.

Sources:

Wonder Woman Lends Her Support. Daily Mail. Accessed online 16 December 2011 at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2074863/Wonder-Woman-checks-ample-bosoms-Mozambique-campaign-breast-cancer.html

Early Breast Cancer Detection: A Detailed Guide. American Cancer Society. 29 Sep. 2011. Accessed online 19 December 2011. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-detection

Benign Breast Conditions: Not all lumps are cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed online 19 December 2011 http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/UnderstandingYourDiagnosis/ExamsandTestDescriptions/ForWomenFacingaBreastBiopsy/breast-biopsy-benign-breast-conditions

Reviewed December 20, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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Anonymous

Please read about xenoestrogens if you are interested in avoiding breast cancer. Other related topics are estrogen pollution and birth control link to breast cancer. Note that birth control link to cancer only applies to birth control that depends on hormones (pills, patches, IUD, etc). Birth control that is not hormone based is not linked to breast cancer (condoms, copper T). Also read about foods that reduce estrogen pollution and xenoestrogens in your body. To all my women sisters out there, stay healthy and live long.

April 1, 2012 - 9:39pm

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Melissa6666
Empowered

This article here is best to follow at any age. Any age you experience feeling something in the breast or have pain or problem of anykind it is best to see your doctor right away.

From that point on your doctor will tell you to do a monthly breast self exam.

Women who have been diagnosed with cancer it is best to ask your doctor to do Iodne testing. It has been said in recent study that women who has cancer they have checked their Iodine levels and said their Iodine are very low.

Good Luck,
Melissa

December 26, 2011 - 9:15pm

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.