A couple of weeks ago, Susan G. Komen’s sister, Nancy Brinker, was on the Oprah Winfrey show.

She talked about the foundation she started for breast cancer awareness, research for the cure and more after her sister, Susan, was diagnosed with and died from breast cancer 25 years ago.

As she discussed what she has learned and the impact her organization has made toward researching and finding a cure for breast cancer, I was struck by one statement: “Back then, we couldn’t even say the word ‘breast.’”

Flash forward to 2008. I saw a bumper sticker recently with a large pink ribbon and “Save the Ta-tas!” emblazoned on it. The fact remains that youth and adults of all ages find it difficult to use the proper names for body parts associated with sexuality.

At a recent women’s event in town, a well-known doctor in the reproductive field gave a presentation to a group about changes in sexuality due to aging. Though the talk was quite informative, people commented to me about their discomfort at hearing the word “vulva” while eating lunch.

We seem to live in a culture that simultaneously makes available what some would call soft porn on television via music videos and shows like “Girls Gone Wild,” while at the same time raising children into adults who giggle or turn red when the word “penis” is spoken out loud.

And as much as I like “Grey’s Anatomy,” I hope women go to their doctors and openly discuss any concerns they have with their vaginas, not uttering the word “va-jay-jay.”

Why are these words more embarrassing or uncomfortable to use than words like “shoulder” or “knee” or “toe?”

Our body parts all serve a function, and to determine that some biological terms are off-limits is a product of lack of education and tolerance in our culture around real sexuality. I’m not talking about the unrealistic stuff on music video stations and TV programs like the ones I mentioned above — those are not reasonable depictions of everyday sexuality. I am talking about the real questions and real issues our real youth and young adults (and even middle-aged and older adults) have about their sexuality.

When the subject carries a stigma, people are more likely to consult less reliable sources, such as peer groups and the Internet, instead of educators, physicians or other experts in the field. And that is dangerous.

There is nothing innately immoral about breasts, or vulvas, or penises. They serve biological purposes of creating and nurturing life, or eliminating waste. The largest sexual organ in our bodies is our brain — and what we do with it to enhance or detract from our sexuality in healthy ways is up to us.

In addition to Passionately Pink’s campaigns to raise money and awareness about breast cancer, take the time to think about what words you use when you need to name a body part associated with sexuality — and what words you are teaching your children to use. Find ways to increase your comfort with the topic, so you can be a matter-of-fact resource to your children, parents, friends and self. Someone’s life may depend on it.

Amy Johnson, MSW, is a personal life and parent coach in Federal Way. She facilitates faith and sexuality classes for youth, and parenting classes in the area. Contact: comments@diligentjoy.com.