October has always been about pink — the color associated with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It has become a popular way to raise awareness of the disease, which saw 36 people diagnosed and treated at Schneck Medical Center in 2013.

But that same year, 45 people were told they had lung cancer at Schneck. That’s the first time the number of lung cancer cases surpassed breast cancer cases since the Seymour hospital started keeping records in 1986.

In 2014, another 36 people were diagnosed with lung cancer at Schneck.

In the past, The Tribune’s cancer awareness section — published in early October — was called “Pink Purpose.”

We changed the title of the section to “Colors of Hope” in 2014, and its focus is to highlight various types of cancers.

Pink may be the most recognized, but do you know what color is associated with lung cancer? It’s white. How about kidney cancer (orange) or melanoma (black)?

Each type of cancer has its own color just as each cancer survivor has his or her own story to tell. We’ve decided to highlight a few of their stories and offer information about the people and services available to help anyone stricken with the disease.

Cancer affects just about every one of us in some way or another. We either know someone who has survived or, sadly, lost a battle with cancer. Or we’ve had it ourselves.

We hope you find the personal stories and information valuable and something you can use or share with others.

— Aubrey Woods

Editor, The Tribune