Our cancer school programme educates students about the importance of detecting cancer early and how to support cancer patients in their communities. Education is the best weapon against cancer, which lacks due to the diverse society in South Africa, where cultural taboos, stigmas and a lack of knowledge about the subject is plentiful. One student's educational goodie bag is likely to reach 7 others due to the household situation in South Africa. We educate about cancer for US$ 1.10 per student.
The problem in a Nutshell: We believe that no men would die of testicular cancer if they knew about this young man's cancer. Men die for the following 2 reasons: 1. During puberty the body changes. Boys feel these lumps but think it is part of growing up. 2. Men feel the lumps but find it too embarrassing to go to the doctor. If these boys/men knew that it could be cancer their lives could have been saved. Knowledge and early detection is the best weapon against ANY cancer.
The solution in a Nutshell: The main goals throughout the cancer school programme are: Where can I find HELP if I am diagnosed with cancer? How can I SUPPORT a family member or friend that is diagnosed with cancer? What can I do in my community to EDUCATE and raise AWARENESS? Our educational mobile app which links in with the cancer school programme educates students to get cancer smart by solving cancer related issues and living healthy. The game and programme complement each other.
The impact in a Nutshell: The aim is to change young people's behaviour through education that it becomes a habit for them to look after their health starting at school level already. This can lead to more health consciousness and adapting a healthy lifestyle in general - which often lacks because of cultural taboos, stigmas and knowledge. Changing the behaviour by teaching them to look after their health will lead to a healthier next generation who will uplift their communities and country.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
