It is particularly relevant during 2018 Year of Young People to focus on the education of young people on lifestyle choices that can significantly risk the chance of getting cancer. The Teenager Cancer Trust’s education and awareness programme is now able to reach 80% of secondary schools in Scotland and Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conseratives health spokesman, supports their aim to achieve 100% coverage.
Research by the University of Stirling indicates the effectiveness of this programme in terms of three times as many young people talking to others about cancer after having taken part in it.
Educating our young people about cancer is vital, both for them to be able to identify the warning signs of cancer and so improve early diagnosis, and to make the informed lifestyle choices that will help minimise preventable cancers through-out their lives.
Cancer Research UK published research last week which suggested around 13,000 cases of cancer each year in Scotland could be prevented through lifestyle changes.
Excess weight is now the biggest cause of preventable cancer after smoking and one in twenty cancers could be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight.
Cancer is relatively rare in children accounting for less than 1% of all cancers.
This equates to around 150 new cases in Scotland every year.
The development of the virtual service for children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer is incredibly important and provides the opportunity for young people to access age specific information and videos which gives them ownership of their health, it will provide an opportunity for them to share information on their cancer and treatment with friends.
Miles Briggs said: “While 1 in 2 of our young people may now expect to get some form of cancer at some stage in their life, we really need to get across and emphasise the positive message that 40% of cancers are preventable.
“It may not be an easy discussion to have with a young person but encouraging young people to be familiar with their bodies, and to keep an eye out for any signs or symptoms that could indicate something is wrong is incredibly important and encouraging anyone who notices these signs to go and see their GP and share their concerns is vital.
“Educating our young people about how cancers can be prevented through balanced diets, not smoking, undertaking physical activity and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can help get this message across to all age groups as students are then able to speak to their parents and grandparents about the dangers of their unhealthy choices.
“I think the development of Managed Service Network can dramatically help improve young people’s experience of cancer as well as helping them to be able to speak to their friends and peers about their cancer journey and can present a real opportunity to help develop the future programmes which can empower young people to take control of their own health.”
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