Breasts, or as some may refer to as boobs, hooters, or other terminologies that are too vulgar to penned down in this article, are the most sexualized body parts of the female anatomy. However, the function of the breast doesn’t match its reputation, as there is nothing scandalous or sexy about feeding an infant. The mismatch of the reputation and function of the breast creates a taboo regarding anything related to it. Such taboos prevent women from learning important information regarding breast cancer. This article will explore the relation of how the sexualization of breasts impacts the topic of breast cancer.
Sexualization Of Breasts
The sexualization of breasts has dehumanized the organ and made it appear as merely a sexual object. Movies such as Grand Masti, thrive through the sexualization of the female body in order to engage their male audience. The sexual innuendos used in such content may guarantee their creator’s easy views and attention; however, the impact they have on the perception of female bodies is detrimental for society, to say the least. Pornography also plays a huge role in female sexualization to please male viewership. The lewd random advertisements seen while trying to watch movies on online pirated platforms provide evidence of such a claim.
The Side Effects
One may now question, what does the sexualization of breasts have to do with the taboo regarding breast cancer? The answer is everything. In our culture, sex and everything related to it is considered impure and shameful, and talking about such things is taboo. When we place sexual innuendos on a vital organ, such as breasts, we are subjecting it to the same scrutiny that anything related to sex must face. Due to its association with sex, the word breast in itself is enough to create an uncomfortable feeling. Females feel shameful to talk about anything related to the breasts as it’s considered vulgar to talk about it. The lack of discussion leads many individuals to ignore the initial symptoms of breast cancer.
Due to the stigma regarding breast cancer, patients find it really hard to open about the disease. Many insurance companies may not cover the reconstruction of breasts for breast cancer survivors, as they see this procedure as a cosmetic procedure rather than the restoration of a vital organ. Furthermore, the sexualization of breasts also plagues the breast cancer awareness campaigns. The posters and advertisements usually emphasize on saving the breast, not the individual whose going through the trauma. This creates the impact that the breast is far more superior to the patient’s life.
Conclusion
We as individuals must be conscious about sexualization and its devastating impacts on the social perception of diseases such as breast cancer. Society needs to see the breast as any normal organ rather than a sexual object. Furthermore, changes in perceptions regarding it will help breast cancer break away from its current stigma and taboo. Furthermore, it will help in providing emotional support to patients and make information readily available regarding the potentially life-threatening disease.
