Think pink … and yellow and white and blue and purple and …

Turn on any sporting event in October and you will see pink.

NASCAR cars all had pink window coverings, referees in some football games had pink whistles, players, coaches and more have pink.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and pink abounds in October. Before I go any further let me just say I support breast cancer awareness month. I have friends and family who are breast cancer survivors, but I also know some who, unfortunately, did not survive.

Perhaps the next well known “cancer month” is November or what has become known as “No Shave November” to bring awareness to men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.

Other than these two can you name another “cancer month.” Can you name another cancer color?

I started asking myself this week, why does breast cancer and breast cancer awareness get all the press, so to speak.

So I decided to research and find the answer.

First, I found that many have asked the same question, so I am not alone in that.

When I would ask myself why are there all the events, activities and all the pink regarding breast cancer awareness, when it seems to be one of the most survivable, well in that question I found the answer.

One of the reasons breast cancer awareness is so highly visible is because there are so many survivors letting their voices be heard.

According to the National Cancer Institute, along with being survivable for many, it is also the most common type of cancer. This year they are anticipating 300,590 new cases of breast cancer in the United States. Estimated deaths from breast cancer is just over 43,000. Yes, it is survivable at abut 85%, but sadly, not everyone does survive.

Surviving cancer should be celebrated, and with breast cancer, there are many who can and do celebrate, thus all the pink this month.

The next most common cancers, according to the NCI are prostate and lung cancers. There are expected to be 288,300 new prostate cancer cases this year with nearly 35,000 deaths.

Lung cancer, unfortunately, has the lowest survival rate with 238,340 new cases expected this year, but 127,070 deaths, or 47% survival rate.

And in full disclosure, this is where it hits home for me as my mother passed 18 years ago next month from complications of lung cancer. She fought hard, even participated in a Relay For Life during her battle.

We all know someone who has battled cancer or is battling cancer, or maybe you reading this are battling cancer or have survived cancer. Cancer touches us all. We are united in the battle, no matter where the cancer is located.

And, in case you are wondering, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the colors and months of other cancers are as follows:

Bladder cancer (May): Yellow, purple, and navy

Bone cancer (July): Yellow

Bone marrow transplants (November): Green

Brain cancer (May): Gray

Cancer survivors (June): Lavender

Childhood cancer (September): Gold

Colon cancer (March): Dark blue

Gynecological cancer (September): Purple

Leukemia (September): Orange

Liver cancer (October): Green

Lung cancer (November): Pearl or white

Pancreatic cancer (November): Purple

Prostate cancer (September): Light blue

Skin cancer (May): Black

Uterine cancer (September): Peach

That said, the local American Cancer Society chapter is organizing a breast cancer awareness event on Oct. 20 to walk in support of breast cancer survivors at Pioneer Square.

My hope is that eventually there will be a cure for cancer but in the meantime may they find better treatments.

May all you who are fighting cancer stay strong, fight hard and know you are not alone. That’s what months like Breast Cancer Awareness and think pink events are for, to show you are not alone in your battle and that those who have battled before you have survived.

So there is the biggest answer, these events and awareness months give us all hope and one can never have too much hope.

---Karla Pomeroy