S. Florida Teens Get Educated About Breast Cancer

MIAMI (CBS4) -- While much of the focus of breast cancer screening is aimed at women over 30, it's never too early to educate young women and men. The Hands on Health program is working to show teenagers right here in South Florida about breast exams, breast health and breast changes.

Labake Ajayi teaches high school students about breast health.

She used props and posters to talk breast health during her internship with Miami-Dade Area Health Education Center.

In its Hands on Health program she met with dozens of students in Miami-Dade and Broward.

"So we give them the accurate information in hopes that they not only educate themselves but also their friends and family."

That's a message Labake passes on to the teens.

"I also make sure I stress it may not happen to you, but what if it happens to someone you love or care for. There's a part in the presentation where we ask them to raise their hands if they have been affected by breast cancer, and hands always go up.

Like the time Labake had a teenage boy talk about his father developing breast cancer at the age of 25.

"And when he said that, his classmates were like ok, maybe I need to listen more to this information."

She educates whenever she can.

"I realized like what the impact I had on my family, and I had the same impact with my friends, because I make sure they tell their family members, and then I also try to relay that with the students as well."

The Hands on Health program also encourages teens to learn about their family health history and talk with their doctor about personal risk of breast cancer and when to get screened.