Did you know that breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women? According to the American Cancer Society, every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every 13 minutes, a woman dies from breast cancer. There are approximately 182,460 women in the fight with breast cancer; this year 40,480 women will die of cancer. According to statistics, 450 men will die this year from breast cancer. On Oct. 9, the Student Nursing Association, level four professional nursing students, and the More Than A Conqueror Breast Cancer Support Group teamed up to “Paint the Town Pink.” The event served to inform Grambling State University and the community of Grambling about early detection of breast cancer, among other breast cancer awareness facts.
One of GSU’s own faculty members, Dr. Rixie Thompson, founded More Than A Conqueror Breast Cancer Support Group after her second reoccurrence of breast cancer. Dr. Thompson was very open and willing to talk about her diagnosis, struggle, source of strength, and triumph over the disease.
Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24, Dr. Thompson shared how devastated and afraid she was to be diagnosed at the prime of her life. When she was diagnosed, she wasn’t really informed about the disease. She felt that she was dying while going through her fight.
“I weighed as little as 75 pounds and had no hair,” she said. “In Hosea 4:6 God states that, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge … so, I began to research the disease for myself.
“There is no way that someone can go through [breast cancer] and not find God,” Thompson said.
Thompson’s personal fight with the disease and a promise to give God all the glory is what motivated her to begin the support group. When asked what prompted her to host this event in this area, Thompson passionately declared, “I’m on a mission to inform my sisters!”
In Thompson’s situation, she was diagnosed at an early age. Her diagnosis is why she felt GSU is a great place to carry out her calling.
She was impressed with the large turnout and the questions asked at a morning seminar held in the Nursing Building.
Few young adults realize that they should began getting tested for breast cancer at the age of 20; and should get annual mammograms at the age of 40. One can get tested through self or clinical exams and mammograms. Early detection is the key in the fight against breast cancer.
If you have any questions or know anyone who is in the fight with breast cancer, call More Than A Conqueror Breast Cancer Support Group at (318) 247-3457 or the American Cancer Society 24-hour hotline at (800) ASC-2345.