Science as cancer prevention for American inner city residents

Eighty parents and guardians of high-risk elementary school children from Hartford, America's fourth poorest city, participated in a 12-week Saturday programme of science and cancer risk reduction while their children participated in a science programme designed to be interesting and fun. The children learned to enjoy biology as innovative recreation. Their parents and guardians learned to appreciate the health risks associated with passive thinking. Cigarette advertisements and misleading food claims were exposed to scientific scrutiny with the result that parents and guardians came to view scientific thinking as a means to protect their children and themselves from cancer. They also learned to reduce cancer risk through proper nutrition. Attendance was excellent and the majority of parents and guardians completing the programme believed they had learned to identify and avoid cancer risks.