Be smart against cancer! A school-based program covering cancer-related risk behavior

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral studies suggest that most school-age children are poorly informed about cancer risk factors. This study examines the effectiveness of the ‘Be smart against cancer’ (BSAC) program in promoting cancer awareness and intentions to engage in health-promoting behavior.Methods235 seventh-grade students were randomized to either the intervention (N = 152) or the wait-control group (N = 83). The intervention included the modules: “What is cancer?,” “Sun protection,” “Non smoking,” and “Physical activity, Healthy nutrition, and Limited alcohol consumption.” Outcomes measured at baseline and at the end of the one week BSAC program included knowledge of cancer and its behavioral risk factors, health-promoting intentions, and reported risk behavior.ResultsBSAC was effective in increasing knowledge about cancer and risk factors for cancer (p < .001), as well as in increasing intentions to engage in health-promoting behavior (p < .001), independent of a student’s risk profile. Knowledge did not serve as a mediator for intention building.ConclusionsThe BSAC is an effective school-based program for raising awareness of cancer, associated risk factors and intentions to engage in cancer-preventive behavior. The results indicate that the effectiveness of BSAC is independent of a student’s risk profile. Therefore, it holds considerable promise as a broadly applicable program to raise cancer awareness and promote healthy behavior intentions.

Effects of a cancer prevention education program on elementary school students’ knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and intentions in South Korea

“…In contrast, interventions with a significant effect on behavioral intentions and practice required a longer time. A full-time 5-day intervention was effective in increasing intentions to engage in health-promoting behavior, as well as increasing knowledge about cancer and risk factors for cancer, and a 7-month nutritional intervention significantly improved the dietary self-efficacy of children [14,15]. A healthy life practice education program with 10 sessions targeting elementary school students in Korea showed significant differences in health behaviors for disease prevention and safety [16].…”

Impact and Moderating Variables of an Intervention Promoting Physical Activity Among Children: Results From a Pilot Study

“…The impact of the GLMC on attitude and intention is may be due to the use of a behavior change techniques such as persuasive messages concerning the benefits of PA practice. [15][16][17][18][19] However, as the impact of previous TPB-based interventions on perceived norm and behavioral control appears less evident, 11,19 additional behavior change techniques such as self-monitoring, the involvement of the family, and the implementation of PA sessions were integrated in the GLMC to impact one or both of those variables. The increase of those two variables in this pilot study tends to validate our hypothesis.…”

“…[11][12][13] In line with existing recommendations, 14 TPB-based interventions promoting PA among children consist in the use of a persuasive message concerning the benefits of PA practice, [15][16][17][18] sometimes combined with behavior change techniques such as goal setting. 19 Taken as a whole, those interventions have reported a beneficial impact on attitudes 15,[17][18][19] and intention, [15][16][17][18][19] as well as on PA practice in children. 11,17,18 However, the impact of these interventions on perceived norms and behavioral control currently appears less obvious.…”

Educational Activities for Rural and Urban Students to Prevent Skin Cancer in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

“…Due to the cumulative effect of radiation the skin can suffer ill effects such as aging and cell changes which, through genetic mutations, predispose the skin to cancer (Stolzel, 2014). The Brazilian Society of Dermatology states that preventing overexposure to the sun and protecting your skin from the effects of UV radiation are the best strategies for the prevention of melanoma and other skin tumors (Dermatology, 2014;Foletto, 2014).…”