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Pilot-testing a cancer education curriculum for grades K-6
D J Schonfeld1, H Bases, M Quackenbush
1Yale Cancer Center of Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University School of Nursing, Dept. of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar St., PO Box 208064, New Haven, CT 06520-8064, USA. David.Schonfeld@yale.edu
The Journal of School Health
|March 15, 2001
Summary
A pilot cancer prevention curriculum for elementary students significantly improved their understanding of cancer causes and prevention. This early education enhances knowledge and reduces misconceptions about cancer risk behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Education
- Cancer Prevention
Background:
- Childhood risk behaviors like tobacco use, sun exposure, and diet are linked to adult cancers.
- Early intervention is crucial for establishing lifelong healthy habits.
- A gap exists in developmentally appropriate cancer prevention education for young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot-test a developmentally appropriate cancer prevention curriculum for grades K-6.
- To assess the curriculum's impact on students' conceptual understanding and factual knowledge of cancer.
- To evaluate changes in misconceptions about cancer transmission.
Main Methods:
- A seven-unit curriculum based on cognitive, social cognitive, and social influence theories was implemented.
- The study used a treatment group-only design with pretesting and posttesting.
- A standardized, semi-structured interview was administered to 67 students in mixed-grade classes.
Main Results:
- Students demonstrated significant gains (p < .0001) in conceptual understanding of cancer causality and prevention.
- The improvement in understanding cancer causality was comparable to the difference between kindergarten and 5th-6th graders.
- Significant increases in factual knowledge and decreases in misconceptions about casual contact were observed.
Conclusions:
- A developmentally based elementary school cancer prevention curriculum is effective.
- Such curricula can enhance young children's understanding of cancer contributors.
- Early cancer prevention education can positively impact knowledge and reduce misconceptions.
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