Reaching the Youth Outside Social Media

In a blog dedicated to breast cancer awareness, it brings us great joy to share new initiatives created to share the spread of knowledge. We’ve talked about what you can do as a woman to watch for signs, we’ve even blogged about the different types of breast cancer in men, but what about the youth?

What is being done in our nation’s school systems to promote awareness about the cancer that affects 1 in 8 women in the United States?

One example of how non-profits are reaching the youth comes from Zero Breast Cancer, an organization that involves the community in the research process. They created a peer education tool kit to be distributed throughout school systems in California.

Designed for teens ages 14-17, this cancer program incorporates creative ways to boost reduction methods. According to Zero Breast Cancer’s website, the tool kit consists of:
Lesson Overview and Learning Objectives
Lesson Outline with Activity Options for Peer Educators and Teachers
Module Templates:
Top Twelve Messages
Background Messages for Peer Educators
Vocabulary
Glossary
Breast Cancer Fact Sheet
Model Teen Brochure
Personal Action Plan
Evaluation Survey
Resource Materials List
Breast Cancer and Environment References

The website also provides easy access for educators to print lesson handouts such as fact sheets, health sheets, and brochures aimed towards high schoolers. There is even a section on breast cancer tips for Latina teens including Spanish translation for the materials.

In the midst of the social media era, websites like Zero Breast Cancer’s prove just as effective for the promotion of a cause. A user-friendly interface and ample information that can be easily printed for distribution aid in the spread of knowledge.

But Zero Breast Cancer’s campaign doesn’t just stop at targeting the youth, they are also dedicated to raising awareness about environmental factors that can play a role in breast cancer. Their lesson plans also take a look at possible links including second-hand tobacco smoke, alcohol use, and chemicals that can mimic estrogen.

Taken from the Frequently Asked Questions section of an available lesson supplement:
What are some things I can do about suspected environmental exposures and breast cancer risk?
Be aware of your everyday exposures, read labels, and use caution with suspected exposures, for example:
Avoid re-using clear plastic (polycarbonate) water bottles that have been sitting in the sun or absorbing heat
Use opaque bottles made with the plastics PET, or polyethylene, and store sport bottles in a cool place.
Be aware of ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products (check the list at www.safecosmetics.org)

Here’s a picture of the marquee for the screening of Toxic Bust: Chemicals and Breast Cancer sponsored by Zero Breast Cancer

http://zerobreastcancer.org/index.php

Add a comment November 15, 2009