During the week of October 19-23, 2015 the Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on the Lorman campus of Alcorn State University hosted their Breast Cancer Awareness week. The week included many activities encouraging the student body to participate in better health practices.
Shanteria Crockett, Vice President, Zeta chapter stated, “The purpose of this week is to keep students aware of breast cancer and how to keep themselves healthy, while encouraging them to get regular checkups.”
The week started off with a playful game of kickball on the campus green at 4:20 pm on that Monday, October 19th. Many students attended the affair to participate in the game, while others also spectated the event.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2015, as well as handing out ribbons to the student body at the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Hall during lunch hours, the Zeta chapter released pink balloons into the sky. Later that evening, the organization held an informational forum with several Alcorn nursing school students. Located in the lobby of Burrus Hall, the forum began at 5:20 pm. Attendees of the seminar were given various facts about the risk factors for developing and the treatment of breast cancer. They were also informed on the techniques of self-breast exams and their importance.
Because about one in eight women and one in one-thousand men will be diagnosed with breast cancer within their lifetime, self exams and early detection are highly significant. Women should check their breast every month eight days after their menstrual cycle has ended. Men should also check their breasts monthly. There are four techniques to breast examination which are the horizontal and vertical, in which the fingers or the palm are pressed across each breast in a horizontal or vertical pattern, starting from the top of the chest and ending under the breast; the wedge, starting from the outer corner of the breast to the nipple; and the spiral in which fingers are pressed in a spiral around the breast until the nipple is reached.
On Wednesday, October 21st, members of Zeta chapter wore breast cancer awareness shirts to encourage students to attend the candle light vigil that was held that evening at 6:20 pm on the steps of the Oakland Memorial Chapel. Attendees were handed candles to be lit before engaging in a moment of silence. At 6:20 pm on Thursday, October 22nd, in Building C, the chapter held a Breast Cancer Awareness tea featuring Dr. Audrey Lynn Hall, Reverend of Holy Temple MB Church, District Director, Wage and Labor Division of Jackson, MS and a breast cancer survivor of five years. Discussions at the tea revolved around the importance of early detection. Afterwards, refreshments were served.
The week concluded with a “Silence Speaks” display in the dining hall on Friday, October 23, 2015 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Members of the organization taped their mouths shut and held signs containing breast cancer facts.
Ms. Crockett additionally expressed, “I hope that all attendees of the events take what they’ve learned and put forth action into taking better care of themselves.”