Dr. Valarie Waldmeier of the college of nursing at McNeese State University will conclude the spring faculty colloquia program with “Clinical Breast Examinations: Is Your Health Care Provider Proficient?” at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in the Stream Alumni Center.

According to Waldmeier, the clinical breast examination is an important tool in detecting breast cancer, along with mammography, but the technique has not been standardized in clinical trials, literature, training or practice. Current research demonstrates that nurse practitioners that used the recommended method for performing clinical breast examinations found overall more lumps than those who used other methods. Breast cancer strikes one in eight women in the United States and 1 percent of the male population, said Waldmeier, assistant professor of nursing and coordinator of the graduate nursing program at McNeese.

The McNeese Faculty Colloquia Program is sponsored by the Write to Excellence Committee and the McNeese Alumni Association.