Oct 4, 2025 3 min read

Scattered among fall’s vibrant hues of red, yellow, orange and brown is a splash of pink – specifically pink ribbon pink.

Though not naturally occurring in the autumn landscape, the color has become ubiquitous in October, thanks to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year.

Why should you care?

Because had it not been for the early detection campaign’s inception 40 years ago, a loved one – your mother, sister, wife or maybe even you yourself – might not have been around to read this.

Originally a weeklong push to promote screening and routine mammograms, the observance morphed into a 31-day drive to bolster funding for research and treatment, as well as garner support for survivors and honor those whose lives have been lost to the disease.

The color pink came to be associated with breast cancer in the early 1990s, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation distributed pink ribbons to Race for the Cure participants to wear.

Since that first breast cancer campaign, strides have been made, in both treatments and raising awareness to the importance of regular screening to ensure early detection and increase survival chances.

“As we look back at 40 years of breast cancer awareness, the number 40 is significant. Breast cancer mortality is down more than 40% and 40 is when women should start having a conversation with their doctor about getting a mammogram,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. “ACS is proud to have played a significant role in the advancement of breast cancer research and the development of innovative patient support tools.”

According to the Komen organization, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States. Men aren’t exempt, either: 1 in 1,000 males will be diagnosed in their lifetime. This year, an estimated 316,950 women and 2,800 men will receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Of those, 42,170 females and 510 males will die from the disease.

“Due in part to the work of the American Cancer Society, 3 in 4 women are now up to date on screening, which is the greatest reason mortality has reduced,” said Kamal. “But 1 in 4 are not up to date, and we need to close that gap. That’s why this October, we’re encouraging everyone to do more than wear pink, to go beyond ribbons and awareness, to take action.”

Susie Anderson, whose story appears in today’s newspaper, is happy she did.

Thanks to early detection, the Uniontown mother of two underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and is alive today to enjoy life with her son and daughter.

When it comes to mammograms, women too often say, “Not today, maybe tomorrow,” Anderson said in an interview last week.

That isn’t good enough.

“It’s best to have a mammogram done even though you don’t think anything’s wrong,” she said.

Anderson should know.

She’s living proof.