October, a cool breeze chills you and you know that fall is in the air. So what colors come to mind? Maybe reds and oranges and yellows from the changing leaves; Or perhaps orange and black for Halloween. But what about pink? I’m guessing that didn’t even cross your mind, and it should have!

National Breast Cancer Awareness month is observed every October. This year we celebrate 25 years of awareness, education and empowerment. So what exactly is breast cancer? Its a cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts and lobules; the tubes that carry milk to the nipple and the glands that make the milk, respectively. Cells in the body become abnormal, and grow and divide without control or order, like crazy!

If a cell divides when new cells are not needed, they form too much tissue. This additional tissue, called a tumor, can be benign, or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer, but malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. They can also enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, by breaking away from the original tumor. This is how breast cancer spreads and forms secondary tumors throughout other part of the body.

Did you know? There is so much that we have learned about breast cancer, and even more than we have yet to learn. Between diagnosis and the road to recovery, all the facts and numbers can be confusing or informative. Here are some interesting facts from the American Cancer Society about breast cancer that might interest you, and you’ll want to share with people you love.

Men get breast cancer too. For every 100 women diagnosed, one man will also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Seven percent of all breast cancer cases occur in women under 40 years old.

Asian woman have some of the lowest breast cancer rates of any group in the world, while rates are highest in countries such as the United States.

Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, with larger decreases in woman younger than fifty. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.

Breast cancer has a much better prognosis in developing countries, around 1.8 percent, while rates in non-developed countries may be as high as 5 percent.

Epidemiologic studies have shown that men who have several female relatives with breast cancer also have an increased risk for the disease.

Diagnosing breast cancer in younger woman (under 40) is more difficult because their breast tissue is generally denser than the breast tissue in older women.

The lovely ladies of the Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority of Stevens Institute support breast cancer awareness. They understand the importance and severity of the big B. C. The sisters of Phi Sigma Sigma are promoting awareness to the Mile Square community. Breast cancer is something that can be very dangerous and serious to someone you love. It is not a concept that should be taken very lightly. But if the right precautions taken, such as early detection and mammogram screening, lives can be saved.

I bet you’re asking yourself, “What can I do to help?” Here’s a quick and easy way that you can help hundreds of people, and it only takes half a second! Check out The Breast Cancer Site . They have provided an opportunity for women to receive free mammograms.

How it works: Every time someone clicks on the link on the website, an ad is displayed from one of the site’s sponsors. 100% of the money from these advertisers goes to the charity partners, who fund programs to provide mammograms to women in need. The online store gives a portion of every purchase to the charity partners as well! The Breast Cancer Site has given approximately 47,000 mammograms since October 2000. You can help increase this number.

This site is ongoing, meaning even when breast cancer awareness month is over, free mammograms are still there to give. So try to click the link daily, or whenever it pops into your mind. Share the link with your family, friends, and neighbors. With these simple efforts, the Hoboken Community can play a huge role in making people more aware about breast cancer.

So what are you waiting for? Its October; think pink, and click the link.