Print this articleEmail this article An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This holds true when we talk about cancer, one of the world's deadly diseases.

Handing out brochures is one way to educate the public on cancer prevention but this is not enough. Cancer is one the most progressive medical problems in Brunei and relevant authorities should consider implementing health or cancer education and prevention programmes in schools.

Most cancers are easy to treat and can be avoided if detected early. Therefore, cancer education should be incorporated into the school curriculum to make Bruneian youths aware on cancer prevention as well as the importance of healthy living.

Through health education, students will recognise the behavioural, socio-cultural and environmental factors which are vital in preventing the disease.

"Cancer education can help students make decisions and take actions to improve their own health," said primary school teacher Hjh Rafiah Sulaiman. " It can also initiate changes in lifestyle behaviour and social norms among the students."

Knowing that cancer medicine is one of the most rapidly changing of all medical specialties, Hjh Rafiah said that aside from educating students on taking precautionary measures against cancer and promoting a healthy lifestyle, educators can also discuss treatments and advise students to do research first when it comes to traditional medicine.

"We could also emphasise the benefits of taking frequent health screenings and checkups as well as advise them on taking prompt treatment," said the teacher.

Hjh Rafiah said that teachers should make the children do their own research and gather as much information on cancer as a project. "Conducting research by themselves will have a bigger impact on children and the information they get will stay in their minds."

Another local teacher, Hj Khalid Salleh, emphasised the need to increase cancer awareness among the young generation.

The man in his early 40s said that most of the efforts done in educating the public on the importance of cancer prevention has fallen flat, making little to no impact on the public.

Schools in Brunei, he said, should implement campaigns and projects among students to increase public awareness and promote appropriate practices and habits to reduce the risk of cancer and create awareness of early detection.

Health care promotion in schools, he added, would be a commendable effort towards improving the overall health of the Brunei community.

"We must not forget that obesity is also a big problem in Brunei. Students should be informed that obesity and the kinds of food consumed are also factors that should be taken into consideration. They should know that cancer can be prevented by practising a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, exercising and having regular medical checkups."

Public awareness has increased in some schools though, with some making a considerable effort towards disseminating information about cancer.

A few years back, some students of Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College made breast cancer awareness pamphlets after attending a forum held by health authorities..

"It is terrific to know that some of the younger generation actually listen and are now more aware," said Hjh Rafiah when told of the Science College students' initiative.

The emergence of health clubs in the Sultanate is a big help in promoting health and fitness.

According to Dr Hj Muhd Syafiq Abdullah, oncology specialist at the National Cancer Centre, some schools have been setting up their own health clubs, an idea they got from His Royal Highness Prince Hj 'Abdul 'Azim, who mentioned the establishment of a health club during a visit to the Health Promotion Centre.

Students of Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College (Maktab Duli) took the initiative and put up a health club in their school.

"These health clubs are my ambassadors now," said Dr Hj Muhd Syafiq, adding that they try to help the clubs by offering lectures to students.

"This is a new healthy generation, and that is a good start," he said.

The Brunei Times