Group: Breast Cancer Awareness Is More Than Pink Ribbons

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - This month many people are thinking 'pink' for breast cancer awareness, but for survivors, the fight is anything but pretty.  Now local survivors have taken to the internet to paint another picture of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a life-changing disease that can leave your body scarred forever. That's why one group of women wants you to look past the pink and at the real images.

If you were to look at Kim Whitworth and Nicole Jasien you'd never think they have a problem with the color that sits smack in between red and white.... and they don't. "I just love pink," Kim said happily.

But these survivors of Stage 3 breast cancer want to make sure the public sees beyond the color.

Nicole explains that she "…had a double mastectomy right away and then I completed six rounds of chemo and did radiation as well." Part of Kim's journey will soon come to an end.  "I'm still going through treatment," she said. "Last one is Tuesday next week."

The women want everyone to know what the killer disease really looks like. "It's not just about a pink ribbon. It's not what everyone makes it out to be," Kim said flatly.

The North Texas ladies and others like them say they're tired, of what's becoming known as 'pink wash – or the plethora of pink products and signage that pop up, every October.

Even the chief mission officer with Susan G. Komen for the Cure acknowledges the campaign isn't for everyone. "Not everybody wants to celebrate with a color or public demonstration, and that's okay," she said.

For Kim, Nicole and some of their friends who are survivors, the boiling point was a picture, making the rounds on Facebook. It declared October 13, No Bra Day, as a way to support breast cancer.

Nicole said, "It just almost sexualized a disease that's just physically devastating. People started commenting. 'Maybe we should go topless, and then people would really see what cancer is like.'"

"We're more than boobs," Kim declared. "We are."

Now Kim, Nicole and a group of about 200 survivors are trying to increase knowledge about what they call "real cancer awareness." They're doing it with a YouTube video that shows that scars, pain and fight of breast cancer.

Check out the More Than Pink video below. (**WARNING: The video contains nudity and some of the images are graphic**)

Nicole said those who go up against breast cancer are in a true fight -- a battle. "But when you lose sight of what it takes to get to that victory… I think that's what the real awareness needs to be about."

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