Pink October in France sparks political row after MP refuses to wear ribbon

Pink October, the French version of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, has become the focus of a political storm in France. The row began after a member of parliament said she would not wear a pink ribbon, describing the month as "utterly cynical". The source does not name the MP.

The international news channel France 24 covered the controversy on 15 October 2026 in its programme "Entre Nous". The segment, which runs just over six minutes, looks at the reasoning behind her position and recounts the history of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It also explains how to look out for "pinkwashing", a term for the use of pink and breast cancer symbolism for purposes other than the cause itself. The source does not specify which examples or companies the programme discusses, nor how other politicians have responded to the MP's remarks.