It’s never too early to learn about cancer prevention. This following list can help schools connect their students to age-appropriate cancer prevention programs, designed to teach children about health behaviors that they can engage in now to prevent
cancer throughout their lives. These programs have been compiled by the Suffolk County Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion
Coalition. Information for schools wishing to schedule one of these programs is provided below.
Cancer Awareness and Prevention
School Resource List
Pre-K
- “Look Before You LEAP”: Educational packet designed to educate families about environmental health threats.
Content of tool kit bags focus on Lead poisoning, Endocrine disruptors, Air pollution and Pesticides. Packets contain a coloring
activity book, a game, fact sheets etc. Prepared the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center and Huntington Breast
Cancer Action Coalition with funding from New York State Department of Health. Limited supplies are available- contact the
Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition for more information at
friends@hbcac.org. No fee.
Elementary School
- EPA Sunwise Program from K – 8th grade. A school can sign up on line and receive a free kit from the EPA. I
know many of the school in Suffolk years ago used the Sunwise Program. (used by CCMAC and SCDHS)
- Be Smart About Your Health is a series of three one-hour presentations designed by Babylon Breast Cancer
Coalition to create an awareness of chemicals in our everyday environment, as well as more organic products and practices that can
be substituted to reduce toxic exposure. Programs complement the NYS Health & Science curriculums. All programs are presented in
a fun, interactive format, helping to create awareness without alarm (used by Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition). Contact the
Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition at
bbccest1993@aol.com
or (631) 893-4110.
Grade K-2: Hand washing tips
Grades 3,4: Fill in the blanks & true/false
Grades 5,6: Household Hazards Checklist
Non Toxic alternatives
Girls tips
Boys tips
Pesticide card
Plastic safety card
- Materials for Parents of School-Aged Children (used by Bob DiBenedetto, HealthyPlanet):
- "The Sun Show" Video: Two separate videos have been produced by a dermatologist; one geared for ages 6 – 8
and the second geared toward 9 – 11 year olds. Videos engage the students who can laugh in amusement yet get the message with
lots of positive questions. “Teaching” brochure accompanies the DVD. Videos can be ordered on the web at
http://www.sunsafetyforkids.org/videos/order/. Cost is $40 for schools. (used by CCMAC)
Middle School and High School:
- CCMAC skin canceer awarness DVD: designed for Middle and High Schools with a special emphasis on concerns
regarding tanning beds. Contact the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign at
(516) 352-4227 or
www.ccmac.org.
- "The Sun Show Video: Two separate videos have been produced by a dermatologist; one geared for ages 6 – 8 and the
second geared toward 9 – 11 year olds. Videos engage the students who can laugh in amusement yet get the message with lots of
positive questions. “Teaching” brochure accompanies the DVD. Videos can be ordered on the web at
http://www.sunsafetyforkids.org/videos/order/. Cost is $40 for schools. (used by CCMAC)
- True or False: What You Don't Know About Tobacco: An interactive forty minute classroom power-point
presentation on tobacco geared for Grades 7 & 8. The power-point discusses that nicotine is a drug and poison. The program
includes other harmful chemicals in tobacco products and the effect they have on the body. Presentation given by SCDHS and is
free of charge. Contact : Bonnie Anderson, Senior Health Educator,
(631) 853-2903 or
bonnie.anderson@suffolkcountyny.gov
- Electronic Nicotine Delivery systems: a forty minute classroom presentation geared for grades 7 through 12
that explains how an e-cigarette works, the chemicals that are in an e-cigarette and the possible health problems that are
associated with these products. This program also discusses the Suffolk County laws associated with e-cigarettes. Presentation
given by SCDHS and is free of charge. Contact : Bonnie Anderson, Senior Health Educator,
(631) 853-2903 or
bonnie.anderson@suffolkcountyny.gov
- Myths, Lies, and Fairytales: This is a two day program designed for High School and College aged students.
The presentation on the first day discusses the misconceptions about tobacco use, the dangers of newly emerging tobacco products,
addiction and the effects of nicotine on the brain, as well the other chemicals in tobacco products and the bodies’ response to
these chemicals. The impact of tobacco advertisements, and smoking in movies on smoking behavior of the public is also addressed.
On the second day, students participate in an age-progression computer program design called “At Face Value”. This program shows
the aging process of an individual engaging in high risk behaviors. The program shows the comparison in appearance as a smoker
versus a non-smoker, with and without sun damage and the effects of obesity. As a follow-up SCDHS encourages schools to offer
cessation programs for their students. Presentation given by SCDHS and is free of charge. Contact : Bonnie Anderson, Senior Health
Educator,
(631) 853-2903 or
bonnie.anderson@suffolkcountyny.gov
- Tobacco Awareness Program – Community Intervention: TAP is a comprehensive tobacco cessation curriculum for
grades 7-12 that addresses both smoking and spit tobacco. Over the course of 8 weeks the program provides information,
opportunities for self - assessment, and challenging weekly assignments to help participants quit their use of tobacco. The
curriculum gently guides tobacco users to their quit date and helps them remain tobacco-free, taking into account that
participants begin, continue and decide to quit for a wide variety of reasons. Facilitators provide guidance and support as the
participants design their individual approach to quitting. Presentation given by SCDHS and is free of charge. Contact : Bonnie
Anderson, Senior Health Educator,
(631) 853-2903 or
bonnie.anderson@suffolkcountyny.gov
- Tobacco Education Group – Alternative to Suspension Program: TEG is a positive alternative to school
suspension for those caught using tobacco on school property or at school-sponsored activities. This program consists of eight 45
to 50 minute sessions involving lectures, videos, demonstrations, discussions, problem-solving tactics, and cooperative learning
strategies. TEG motivates adolescents to move to the preparation and action stages in the “Stages of Change” in quitting tobacco.
Participants are encouraged to share information learned with their friends and family. Presentation given by SCDHS and is free
of charge. Contact : Bonnie Anderson, Senior Health Educator, at
(631) 853-2903 or
bonnie.anderson@suffolkcountyny.gov
- Sexually Transmitted Infections/ HIV Transmission: This PowerPoint presentation for Suffolk County High
Schools provides facts about STI/HIV transmission, behaviors that place people at risk, and testing, treatment and prevention
resources. A basic overview of the most common infections and consequences if left untreated are also discussed. Presentation
given by SCDHS and is free of charge. Contact Nancy Hemendinger at
(631) 853-3162.
- The Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education: Free breast health programs that encourage students to
become empowered with the knowledge to reduce their risk for breast cancer. Designed specifically for high school students, this
forty-minute interactive PowerPoint program focuses on lifestyle changes to reduce risks for breast cancer. Students learn how
nutrition, biology and lifestyle can contribute to the development of breast cancer. We offer instruction in the most advanced
and effective form of breast self-examination. Our extremely lifelike silicone breast models provide a tactile learning
experience, building essential skills in detecting tumors in their earliest stages. No fee. Contact Eileen Pillitteri, Program
Manager at
(631) 524-5151
epilliteri@maurerfoundation.org