Exploring the Feasibility of a Cancer Awareness Program for High School Students in a Brazilian School: A Pilot Study

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a brief educational intervention related to cancer among high school students in a Brazilian private school. Participants attended a 1-h online session regarding different aspects of cancer. A self-reported questionnaire about the main topics addressed in the session was filled out before [pre] and after [post] the educational intervention and the results were compared by McNemar ’s chi-square test. From 900 parents invited, 44 (4.9%) responded to the invitation and agreed with their children’s participation, and 24 students attended the activity. The questionnaire was easy to fill out for the students and allowed us to measure differences after the educational intervent ion. The high school students considered the most interesting topics cancer myths and protective/risk factors. The project was feasible and showed easy application and better knowledge after the educational intervention. The main challenge is related to the access to parents to authorize their child ren’s participation. Designing interventions that focus on cancer education might be a viable way to increase prevention and early diagnosis with implications for students, their families, and the community.
Source: Journal of Cancer Education - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research