October is breast cancer awareness month, so think pink and show your true colors!

In an effort to support and raise money for the Susan G. Komen Cancer foundation, which is the current global leader in the fight against breast cancer, Skyline is coming together on Oct. 30 to bring awareness to the campus. Everybody on campus is encouraged to wear pink for “Passionately Pink For The Cure” to support breast cancer. A small donation of $5 is asked, and pink ribbon pins will be given out to donators; along with being entered in a drawing sponsored by the book store.

Next to lung cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. In 2005, over 200,000 women in America were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 40,410 women died (American Brest Cancer Association).

There are several cancer detection programs offered to women who qualify, such as free mammograms, which is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest form. Women in the United States have a one in seven chance of contracting breast cancer in their lifetime.

When it comes to the media, breast cancer is always associated with women.

“It seems kind of weird [men getting breast cancer], because you associate breast with women… male breast cancer is more rare,” said Luis Padilla, student body President of Skyline College. “The media, when portraying breast cancer survivors; it’s always women… female breast cancer survivors, the pink ribbon and when you talk about awareness, it always shows women and mammograms”

Men account for about 1% o the breast cancer reports in the United States, and there were 1,600 new cases in 2005. It is less likely that a man would be diagnosed with the disease than a woman. However, given the statistics, it is equally likely that men are affected by the outcome of breast cancer. Whether it is somebody’s mother, sister, aunt, or wife, breast cancer is on the rise and it kills.

Along with Skyline’s support towards the efforts, there are several ways for students to get involved outside of school. In San Francisco on Oct.21, the American Cancer Society will have held their ninth annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walkathon. With 17,000 participants, last year’s event successfully raised $1.3 million.

“I’m glad there’s a breast cancer awareness month,” said Cass Christian, Skyline’s admissions assistant. “[…] the survivors are the one’s that get out and run for the cause, their the heroes”

The Cosmetology Department is doing their part in making donation amount increase. Last year, the department raised somewhere around $750, more than any other department on campus. If students on campus want to donate money to the cure, visit Kamla Bucceri in building 5, Sandra Hatzistratis in building 3, Sue Lorenzo in building 7, Theresa Tentes in building 1, Donna Elliott in building 2, and Nancy Lam in Cosmetology Pac Heights to contribute.

For more information on breast cancer, visit www.cancer.org.