The new Marie Keating Cancer Awareness Programme for Schools, which launched this Wednesday, addresses the challenge of giving second level students a better insight into both prevention and coping with the disease.
“Each day in Ireland, an average of 82 new cases of cancer are diagnosed and this number is expected to rise by a third by 2020.We have a clear challenge to help reduce the number of people being diagnosed with cancer by highlighting prevention and also by providing information and support to those already affected by the disease. The new programme will help to achieve both of these goals,” said Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, at the launch.
By making cancer ‘less frightening by enlightening’ for students, the programme endeavours to engage students with age-appropriate, interactive and informative material. The eight-module programme is available free of charge for teachers by contacting the Marie Keating Foundation directly and forms part of the suite of supports for post-primary SPHE in-service available to schools from the Professional Development Service for Teachers.
For more information, see www.mariekeating.ie.
Liz Yeates, Director of Public Affairs, Marie Keating Foundation, said, “Whilst the prevalence of cancer is on the increase, once detected early, the outcomes are also much more positive thanks to new treatments and therapies. Up to half of cancers are preventable so the curriculum-linked lesson plans will help students reduce their future risk of developing cancer by advising them on diet and fitness as well as improving their awareness of key symptoms.”
Minister Jan O’Sullivan, who said, “The Marie Keating Cancer Awareness Programme exemplifies a holistic vision of health education, which includes the physical, mental, and emotional dimension for each student.”
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.