School Cancer Awareness Programme
The Marie Keating Foundation Schools Cancer Awareness Programme aims to help secondary school students(1st year-6th year) and adult learners learn how to reduce their risk of cancer and how to spot the signs and symptoms early. The programme makes cancer ‘less frightening by enlightening,’ by engaging students with age-appropriate, interactive and informative material. The nine-module programme is available free of charge for teachers by contacting the Marie Keating Foundation directly or by completing the form below. It forms part of Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum. Subjects covered in the programme include:
- Cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle choices
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine
- Lung cancer
- Skin cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Taking time to look after your body
Some recent testimonials:
“This is just a short note to thank you both for the visit to St. Mary’s. The boys are now much more aware of the issues and signs around early cancer detection. The nurse’s presentation made a big impression on both year groups and was clearly explained with patience and factual balance around a very serious topic. We would love to book you again for next year for the fifth-year group around the same time of year, if you have availability. Thank you again for the wonderful work that your organisation does.” Gordon Smyth, Dean of Fifth Year, After School Study Coordinator, St. Mary’s College, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
“Marie Keating Foundation are a pleasure to work with, the information is delivered in a student appropriate way and sensitive to pupil’s questions. Their flexibility with dates is appreciated. Thanks.”- Deirdre Curtis , SPHE Department Ballinteer Community School
“Everything was fantastic. Workshops were very engaging and the students greatly benefitted. Facilitators were great!” – Rachael Mc Cormack, Cabinteely Community School.
“The Marie Keating Foundation’s session on Cancer Awareness for our students was truly outstanding. Their presentation was not only informative but also engaging, capturing the learners attention with a perfect blend of expertise, information, and interactive elements. The presenters passion and commitment created a supportive environment, encouraging open discussions. I highly recommend their sessions to anyone seeking a comprehensive and impactful understanding of cancer awareness. Thanks to all.” – Enda Lyons, Bray Youthreach,
Your Health Your Choice
The Your Health Your Choice campaign was designed to bring awareness and education to you adolescents about how looking after your health can reduce their risk of 4 out of 10 types of cancer.
In its first year, we developed a YHYC microsite, videos, infographic posters, leaflets and workshop materials. Our nurses delivered the YHYC programme to community groups around the country, looking at locations in Ireland particularly in hard to reach groups e.g. traveller groups in the East and South and also looking at the number of partnerships with Social Personal Health Educators (SPHE) teachers.
During year two, we integrated the content of YHYC and modified our School’s Cancer Awareness Programme (CAP) which educates secondary school students on the signs and symptoms of common cancers and on the importance of early detection and lifestyle choices in order to prevent cancer.
This programme is available for students in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, TY, 5th and 6th year.
If you are a secondary school teacher who is interested in using the Schools Cancer Awareness Programme, please complete the form or call Declan on 01 628 3726.
