The Maurer Foundation educates health students

Over the past month, the Schreiber health department scheduled presentations from the Maurer Foundation to educate students about the symptoms and early stages of breast cancer and how to administer self exams.

The Maurer Foundation is a local organization on Long Island dedicated to informing students and citizens about the warning signs of breast cancer and how to reduce their risk of developing it.

“I found it very helpful, because as young girls we don’t think we need to worry about breast cancer until we are older.  So I thought it was important that they told me I should always be checking no matter what age.  I also found it helpful that they showed the procedure,” said junior Caroline Duvivier.

Ms. Megan Harding, one of the health teachers at Schreiber, reached out to a trained breast health educator and representative of the Maurer Foundation to organize presentations for the health classes.  At these workshops, the representative taught students about the warning signs, causes, and top treatments for breast cancer and how to perform self exams.

She discussed the difference between controllable and uncontrollable carcinogens of breast cancer, such as obesity and genetics.  Additionally, she disproved common myths about breast cancer, including calming fears about wearing bras.

Furthermore, she informed the boys in the class that men are susceptible to breast cancer as well as women.  During her lesson, she also explained what a mammogram is and how it is used to detect breast cancer.

“It was needed because she addressed many topics that a lot of students were not expecting,” said junior Jessica Chapel.  “The presenter explained that male breast cancer is possible, which was surprising to me.  The workshop made me more cautious about my health.”

The representative introduced new information to students.   And at the end of the presentation, the students were given silicon breast models to introduce them to what bumps feel like.

The Maurer Foundation presentations hopes to spread awareness about the causes of breast cancer and how to detect it early to reduce risk.  Following their lectures to the Schreiber health classes, they plan to continue educating students all around the area about breast cancer.

“I thought the presentation was a little awkward but very helpful and necessary.  We learned important information about the causes of breast cancer and how to prevent it,” said junior Annie Timothy.