Nicholls STEPs hosts events for breast cancer awareness

Health Services at Nicholls State University is sponsoring a Breast Health Awareness Campaign called Nicholls STEPs (Screening, Treatment and Educational Programs) for breast health and is providing multiple events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This month, Nicholls STEPs and nursing students are aiming to bring awareness to methods of prevention and detection of breast cancer. Morgan Dantin, junior nursing student from Pensacola, Forida, is a supporter of the STEPs program.

“Many people take breast health for granted and don’t think they will get breast cancer, but breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Men can get it as well. The best way to beat cancer is by researching and educating the population,” Dantin said.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation awarded Nicholls a grant to help. This was so the University could provide screening, treatment and education programs to the students.

This international organization has a multitude of volunteers who work through different events and strive to eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research. Nancy Brinker established the foundation in 1982 in memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who lost her battle with breast cancer at age 36.

“With the STEPs program, they are providing education, especially to those who are medically underserved, about doing monthly breast screens and how to do them. When people in the community are given this knowledge, it gives them the chance to be able to detect breast cancer while it is still treatable and even helps prevent deaths,” Dantin said.

Professionals from the University Health Service department on campus will counsel referrals on self-breast examination techniques. Students can schedule an appointment for counseling sessions. Information on breast cancer and breast health will be available at all times. The health professionals are encouraged to include breast health instructions and educational materials during visits to the clinic. All educational materials, including videos, will be offered to residential assistants to use for their monthly programs that take place in the residence halls.

A Race for the Cure will be held near Guidry Stadium on Oct. 24. 75 percent of the money raised will stay in the community to fund STEPs. Sydney Amedee, junior nursing major from Vacherie, will be attending the 5k this weekend.

“It is important to raise awareness and support those in the community fighting or surviving breast cancer. Race for the Cure offers just that to our community here in Thibodaux,” Amedee said.

Weekly programs have been set up in the student union. The programs are providing breast self-exam information and models. There will be a Komen Breast Cancer information table this week in the union from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.