Information

Why have a free education session?

We are here to help you and your students. Every day in the UK, six young people (13-24 year olds) are diagnosed with cancer, which is approximately 2,200 young people a year. This is a rising figure and will continue to rise unless we act now. For many of these young people, their cancer diagnosis will have been delayed, often because young people fail to recognise serious symptoms and therefore avoid seeking help. Teenage Cancer Trust believes it is vital that young people are given the tools and skills that will empower them to seek help and to take responsibility for their own health as well as becoming aware of cancer and the major impact the disease can have, within a safe and structured environment.

Teenage Cancer Trust offers a FREE Education Programme which is available to all secondary schools, colleges and universities across the UK.

Our Education and Advocacy Managers deliver sessions in your own school, college or university that aim to remove the stigma away from cancer by including discussions on the signs and symptoms of cancer, its treatment, healthy living and the emotional support issues surrounding the disease. This information is delivered in an engaging and positive way and as well as providing invaluable guidance for students, also contributes to the on-going demands of the curriculum.

All the schools, colleges and universities below have been involved. Are you one of them?

Outcomes of an education session

At the end of the session, a pupil will be able to identify the signs of cancer and begin to understand what it’s like to be a teenage patient. Many of the young people in a school setting might also have family experience of cancer and this session can help them to understand what support is available for the family/friends of a cancer patient. The session will also empower pupils to manage their own health issues by providing them with information which will enable them to use the knowledge and understanding gained to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing, to evaluate personal choices and to make changes if necessary.

Suitability

The sessions meet many of the objectives of the PSHE curriculum studies and are most suitable for Key Stage 3 and beyond, ie Years 7 to 13, or S1 – S6. Additionally, theses sessions are also suitable for appropriate vocational courses in Further and Higher Education, such as health and social care, child care, sports modules, hairdressing and tutorial time.

Additional requirements

Within this section is the suggested content of a standard session; however, if you would like a particular issue to be covered in more detail, or you require a more tailored session then the Education and Advocacy managers will be happy to meet your needs.

Session content

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The topics covered will include some or all of the following:

• Why it is important to be aware of cancer and the impact it can have on patients as well as families and siblings
• What is cancer?
• Common teenage and young adult cancers
• Issues relating to diagnosis
• How to spot the signs of cancer
• Treatment
• The impact of cancer:
  • on the body
  • on the mind – social and psychological issues, such as body image and self image
  • relationships
  • fertility
  • post treatment issues – at work, financial, etc
• What is important to young people with cancer?
• Taking responsibility for your own health and well-being
• The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer (optional)