The High School Cancer Education Act
The High School Cancer Education Act
The purpose of the High School Cancer Education Act is to encourage the Department of Education to inform high school students of cancer symptoms, treatments, the bone marrow registry, and organ donations through students’ health or driver education classes.
Awareness of these topics plays a vital role in the survival rates of cancer patients. By educating students with this valuable knowledge, we arm young adults with the ability to identify symptoms of cancer and seek out appropriate treatment.
High School Cancer Education Act
High School Cancer Education Act
What is the High School Cancer Education Act?
What is the High School Cancer Education Act?
According to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, “cancer survival rates in YAs [young adults] have not changed since 1975.” Researchers conclude this is due to a lack of education on symptoms and healthcare options. Many young adults are unaware of medical symptoms, uninsured, and/or wait too long to seek medical help.
Adolescents and young adults that recognize early symptoms of cancer have higher survival rates and decreased treatment costs. According to the Canary Foundation, common cancers such as colon, ovarian, breast, and prostate have over a 90% survival rate when found in the precancerous stage. Survival rates drop as low as 11% if they are diagnosed late.
The High School Cancer Education Act will educate students who are experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention sooner than later. Teenagers find it embarrassing to talk with their friends or parents about their bodies. As a result of their silence, the teenagers may never know something is wrong and/or is too late to cure their cancer unless we educate them about it.
Why is it Important?
Why is it Important?
By educating and arming students with the knowledge and ability to detect cancer symptoms, students will be able to take action against cancer early. This will enable students to seek out medical assistance before intensive treatment is required. Students will be able to remain healthier and spend more time in school learning and less time in the hospital.
Early Cancer Diganosis Can Result in Less Treatment
Early Cancer Diganosis Can Result in Less Treatment
How to Get Involved?
How to Get Involved?
Together, we can save lives. As a result of people like you reaching out to their representatives, we can encourage Congress and your State Representatives to pass the High School Cancer Education Act. We encourage you to write to your state legislators, asking them to pass the High School Cancer Education Act.
For example, a 16-year-old facing testicular cancer may be more concerned about having a bigger penis than asking their friends about their testicle size. This 16-year-old may think the difference is normal until the pain becomes unbearable, requiring medical attention.
On the other hand, women at this age are still learning about their menstrual cycles. There are different types of flow and pain to a cycle. A young woman faced with ovarian cancer may think a certain level of pain is normal and not seek attention for it. In both scenarios, these teenagers could receive a late cancer diagnosis and treatment due to the lack of education of cancer symptoms in high school.
Learning cancer symptoms will help students with symptoms to seek treatment faster. The earlier the cancer is detected, the higher chance of permanent recovery and less treatment.
Furthermore, the treatment for cancer can be intense and time-consuming. Early detection can result in less treatment. More treatment can take students away from their studies and separate them from their peers.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, student cancer survivors who experience a “prolonged absence from school during illness may also slow educational progress and keep survivors from advancing to higher grade levels along with their peers.” The mental health of the student is impacted as a result of physical cancer.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, student cancer survivors who experience a “prolonged absence from school during illness may also slow educational progress and keep survivors from advancing to higher grade levels along with their peers.” The mental health of the student is impacted as a result of physical cancer.
Students who are held back a grade or experience prolonged time away from school may feel anxious to return to their previously normal routine. Researchers at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society stress that returning to school after treatment can be extremely hard. Students may fear how others may respond to the changes in his or her abilities or appearance based on the medical care received while battling cancer.
Examples of Teenagers' Experiences
Examples of Teenagers' Experiences
Cancer Treatment Can Be Intense
Cancer Treatment Can Be Intense
Written by Alyssa Warnock
The purpose of the High School Cancer Education Act is to encourage the Department of Education to inform high school students of:
- cancer symptoms
- treatments
- the bone marrow registry
- organ donations
Awareness of these topics plays a vital role in the survival rates of cancer patients. By educating students with this valuable knowledge, we arm young adults with the ability to identify symptoms of cancer and seek out appropriate treatment.
High School Cancer Education Act
High School Cancer Education Act
What is the High School Cancer Education Act?
What is the High School Cancer Education Act?
According to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, “cancer survival rates in young adults have not changed since 1975.” Researchers conclude this is due to a lack of education on symptoms and healthcare options. Many young adults are unaware of medical symptoms, uninsured, and/or wait too long to seek medical help.
The High School Cancer Education Act will educate students who are experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention sooner than later. Teenagers find it embarrassing to talk with their friends or parents about their bodies. As a result of their silence, the teenagers may never know something is wrong and/or is too late to cure their cancer unless we educate them about it
Adolescents and young adults that recognize early symptoms of cancer have higher survival rates and decreased treatment costs. According to the Canary Foundation, common cancers such as colon, ovarian, breast, and prostate have over a 90% survival rate when found in the precancerous stage. Survival rates drop as low as 11% if they are diagnosed late.
Why is it Important?
Why is it Important?
By educating and arming students with the knowledge and ability to detect cancer symptoms, students will be able to take action against cancer early. This will enable students to seek out medical assistance before intensive treatment is required. Students will be able to remain healthier and spend more time in school learning and less time in the hospital.
Early Cancer Diganosis Can Result in Less Treatment
Early Cancer Diganosis Can Result in Less Treatment
How to Get Involved?
How to Get Involved?
Together, we can save lives. With the help of pople like you reaching out to their representatives, we can encourage Congress and your State Representatives to pass the High School Cancer Education Act. We encourage you to write to your state legislators, asking them to pass the High School Cancer Education Act.
For example, a 16-year-old facing testicular cancer may be more concerned about having a bigger penis than asking their friends about their testicle size. This 16-year-old may think the difference is normal until the pain becomes unbearable, requiring medical attention.
On the other hand, women at this age are still learning about their menstrual cycles. There are different types of flow and pain to a cycle. A young woman faced with ovarian cancer may think a certain level of pain is normal and not seek attention for it.
In both scenarios, these teenagers could receive a late cancer diagnosis and treatment due to the lack of education of cancer symptoms in high school. Learning cancer symptoms will help students with symptoms to seek treatment faster. The earlier the cancer is detected, the higher chance of permanent recovery and less treatment.
Furthermore, the treatment for cancer can be intense and time-consuming. Early detection can result in less treatment. More treatment can take students away from their studies and separate them from their peers.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, student cancer survivors who experience a “prolonged absence from school during illness may also slow educational progress and keep survivors from advancing to higher grade levels along with their peers.” The mental health of the student is impacted as a result of physical cancer.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, student cancer survivors who experience a “prolonged absence from school during illness may also slow educational progress and keep survivors from advancing to higher grade levels along with their peers.” The mental health of the student is impacted as a result of physical cancer.
Students who are held back a grade or experience prolonged time away from school may feel anxious to return to their previously normal routine. Researchers at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society stress that returning to school after treatment can be extremely hard. Students may fear how others may respond to the changes in his or her abilities or appearance based on the medical care received while battling cancer.
Examples of Teenagers' Experiences
Examples of Teenagers' Experiences
Cancer Treatment Can Make Eduction Difficult
Cancer Treatment Can Make Eduction Difficult
Written by Alyssa Warnock