Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland is supporting a campaign to ensure that every school in Scotland has a cancer education awareness programme for young people.
The motion to debate the introduction of a cancer education awareness programme in all schools in Scotland, is being spearheaded by Rona Mackay MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, with support from Brian Whittle MSP who attended a parliamentary reception hosted in partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust, on Wednesday (28th March 2018)
According to Teenage Cancer Trust, every year in Scotland, around 200 young people are diagnosed with cancer. Research shows that 40% of cancers in adulthood are preventable.
Teenage Cancer Trust wants to improve early diagnosis through raising awareness of the main warning signs of cancer in teenagers and young adults. The ultimate aim of the programme is to help improve earlier diagnoses and to help young people understand the behaviours and lifestyle choices that increase the risk of getting cancer, and, so prevent and reduce these as they go into adulthood.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“I’m pleased to be able to support calls for cancer awareness programmes in every school in Scotland. By raising awareness of cancer among young people, we can not only improve rates of early diagnosis but we can also give young people more opportunities to reduce their risk of suffering from preventable cancers. Obesity is the second biggest cause of preventable cancers and if you are obese when you’re young, you’re five times more likely to be obese as an adult. By encouraging young people to have a balanced diet and be active, we can reduce their risk of cancer over their lifetime”
Teenage Cancer Trust education awareness programme is on track to reach 80% of schools across Scotland. In 2015, the University of Stirling carried out a randomised controlled trial of Teenage Cancer Trust’s education work. This found that Teenage Cancer Trust’s education presentation in schools produced significant impact on the recognition of cancer warning signs and risk factors. After the 60-minute presentation, three times more young people talked to others about cancer than before.
Brian Whittle MSP is joining Rona McKay and Teenage Cancer Trust to call on the Scottish Government to work with them to ensure that 100% of schools in Scotland receive the cancer education awareness programme.
Sasha Daly, Head of Policy at Teenage Cancer Trust said:
“Our Cancer Education programme transforms understanding of cancer, leading to better conversations and breaking down fears. Thanks to Rona McKay and other MSP’s, the Scottish Government and other partners, our education and awareness programme has received unprecedented support in Scotland. But we can’t stop until every young person in every school in Scotland has a better understanding of cancer so they are empowered to recognise signs and symptoms to improve earlier diagnosis and know what they can do to best prevent cancer for themselves, their families and friends.”
The Scottish Parliamentary Motion is also being supported by the Scottish Government’s Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer National Youth Advisory Forum which is calling to include Teenage Cancer Trust’s cancer education programme in the school curriculum.
Teenage Cancer Trust, are dedicated to ensuring no young person faces cancer alone. Seven young people are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. They help young people and their families deal with the many ways cancer affects your body, mind and life. The charity works in partnership with the NHS, providing expert staff and specialist units in Principal Treatment Centres for cancer, and bring young people together so they can support each other.
About Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust makes sure the seven young people aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer every day don’t face it alone. They help young people and their families deal with the many ways cancer affects your body, mind and life. The charity works in partnership with the NHS, providing expert staff and specialist units in Principal Treatment Centres for cancer, and bring young people together so they can support each other.
Teenage Cancer Trust also gives presentations in schools, teaching young people about cancer and empowering them to go the doctors earlier. The charity also helps medical professionals and politicians understand why young people with cancer need specific support.
Almost half of young people with cancer are not treated in Teenage Cancer Trust units. Instead they are treated in hospitals where there isn’t the same level of expertise, and they might never meet another young person with cancer. This is a scary and lonely experience. This must change. So Teenage Cancer Trust is building a wider Nursing & Support Service within the NHS to help all young people, wherever they receive treatment. To make this happen, they need to raise more than £20 million every year by 2020.
Teenage Cancer Trust relies on donations to fund our vital work. Find out more, get involved or make a donation at www.teenagecancertrust.org.