Aside from the political squabbles that arose over the conflict between Komen and Planned Parenthood, many observers argue that what started as a movement to benefit the millions who struggle with breast cancer every year has descended into a celebration of consumerism marked by the official (and unofficial) promotion of products and services ranging from underwear to alcoholic beverages to streaming adult video (the website Pornhub.com, which features exactly the kind of content you’d expect, plans to donate one penny to Komen for every 30 views of one of its…breast-themed videos).

The question at the middle of this debate: How much of the money donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and associated charities goes directly toward real-world cancer research–and how much of it goes back into subsidizing the PR efforts of Susan G. Komen and its many related for-profit partners and properties?

A report filed last week by Business Insider concerned one of Breast Cancer Awareness Month’s most prominent promoters: the NFL. While the article isn’t quite damning, it does provide ammunition for those who argue that the NFL and other companies involved in the “pink” campaign may not be as generous as they seem.

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Today we bring you an interesting, apolitical angle from blogger and breast cancer survivor Lisa Bonchek Adams. She believes that the Komen group lost its focus some time ago—and that the value of Breast Cancer Awareness Month has declined in turn.

Instead of focusing so intently on finding a “cure” rather than effective treatment, not to mention selling “everything from Kentucky Fried Chicken to alcoholic beverages to its own perfume while simultaneously trying to prevent anyone else from using the phrase ‘For the Cure’”, Adams believes that Komen and its many supporters should focus on the emotional side of the disease. More attention should be paid to the post-op experience that every breast cancer survivor goes through in addition to the damage it inflicts on affected families and the ongoing struggles of those, like Adams, who endure metastatic breast cancer diagnoses.

Many commentators continue to decry Komen’s focus on consumerism and profit, which seems to have intensified with time. Our favorite statement may be this 2011 “Wag of the Finger” clip in which Stephen Colbert shames the group for spending more than $1 million in donor funds (!) to sue other charities for using the phrase “for the cure”:

What do we think? Political affiliations aside, has Breast Cancer Awareness Month turned into a big sell-a-thon? Have Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its many, many sponsors begun to miss the point?

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As the company gears up for this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many in the industry doubt whether the brand can recover its damaged image and retain corporate sponsorships. For that reason, this year’s campaign will focus on salvaging Komen’s credibility where past efforts leaned more toward educating women about screenings and inspiring others to join the fight by purchasing branded items and participating in sponsored races. So will it work?

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