Pink hair extensions not just a fashion statement - KOAM TV 7

The color pink spreads throughout a Joplin hospital as women and men put on hair extensions to help spread breast cancer awareness.

Throughout the month of October the Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology School is going to different schools, hospitals and businesses, selling pink hair extensions to raise breast cancer awareness and money.

For those who have dealt with the disease early detection is even more important and the pink streak isn't just a fashion statement, it's a reminder.

Crissy Guzman is a student at the school and her grandmother is battling breast cancer.

"She's been on me every year to get a mammogram since then because not only does breast cancer run in my family but so does cervical and ovarian," Guzman says.  "So she's always on me - 'Crissy, have you been to the doctor this year?'  Yes, I am very much aware and I make sure my children are aware."

The students from FSCC have already been to several places including Ron's IGA and Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.  On Wednesday they were at St. John's in Joplin.

"Over the past number of years we've seen a decline in breast cancer statistics," says Kurt Dandridge, a breast surgeon at St. John's.  "The reason is now more awareness and people coming in earlier so we are picking up breast cancer at a much earlier stage and which point we can do something about it and their survival rate is dramatically increased."

"I like that it can get us students involved and we're out there showing we are aware of it and showing support for it - I'm all for that," says Breann Qualls.