Pink bagels, pink hair, pink parades, even pink newspaper pages reminded us during the month of October that breast cancer is a problem in our nation, in our community, and for some of us, in our own homes.

But October’s pink push is meaningful only if we carry the theme through the rest of the year.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women this year. That accounts for nearly one in four cancers, excluding skin cancers, that are diagnosed in women, according to the American Cancer Society.

Men are also susceptible to the disease, though those cases are rarer. About 1,910 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men this year.

Here’s a few things you can do that, in our view, can make a difference:

--- Be your own best friend. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better your chance for recovery. Regular mammograms and self-exams are the best lines of defense.

--- Be proactive with your children. We don’t recommend scaring your teens unnecessarily, but parents should provide their children with the basics and make sure that they realize that regular checkups are a must.

--- Don’t let finances keep you from getting screened. Yes, mammograms cost money. But there are avenues of help in the area, including community clinics.

--- Little things count. The dollars raised through local fundraisers really add up and shouldn’t be discounted.

n Cancer research is vital. For those who doubt the progress, visit a local oncologist. They have many new medicines available to treat their patients.

--- Advocates are needed on all levels. Letters to insurance companies and political representatives are needed to bridge gaps in care and disparities in coverage.

We urge you to take what you learned during October breast cancer awareness events, and apply that knowledge year-round. Pink is a color for all seasons.