October is the first full month of fall. It is the time when leaves start falling and the reds and oranges of the fall foliage take center stage. In the midst of the excitement around the change of the leaves, another color holds just as much importance: pink.
The American Cancer Society has dubbed October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, every fall since 1985, sporting the symbol of a pink ribbon. As a result, October has become a month dedicated to spreading awareness about the causes and ways to combat breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, women have a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer, adding up to around 360,000 diagnoses each year.
One of the most impactful ways of increasing the rate of patient survival is early detection, made all the more probable by yearly mammograms for women. Wearing pink this month is paramount in encouraging women to get examinations which may end up saving their lives. With the annual pink out theme for the football game this week, PTHS reminds its students to remember the significance behind the color they wear.
