Pupils lead the way in cancer fight
LLANELLI pupils have become the first in Wales to help raise awareness of bowel cancer and bowel cancer screening in their community.
The effort is part of a collaboration between Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB), Public Health Wales and the Moondance Cancer Initiative. It saw Ysgol Pen Rhos pupils receive a talk about the cancer and its treatments, and they were able to put questions to medics.
The Moondance Cancer Initiative aims to significantly improve cancer survival in Wales by not only working in clinical settings but also in communities.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second-biggest cancer killer in Wales. Every year more than 2,200 people across Wales are diagnosed with the disease and over 900 people die.
The schools project hopes to influence long-term behaviour change within younger generations by educating them about cancer, cancer treatment and the importance of healthy behaviours.
Ysgol Pen Rhos is the first primary school in Wales to welcome the project into their classrooms.
Year Six pupils were joined by colorectal consultant Pawan Dhruva Rao, along with Dr Danielle Cunningham and Dr Johnsingh Sitther, together with Peyton Jones from Bowel Screening Wales and Mrs Johnson, a patient with experience of bowel cancer.
Mr Rao introduced the pupils to cancer and its causes, followed by a talk about what our bowels do and what bowel cancer is.
Mrs Johnson then spoke about her own bowel cancer journey.
During the interactive sessions, the pupils practised procedures using the medical laparoscopic skills boxes and explored stoma kits.
Mr Rao said: “What the children have learned will save lives. I couldn’t be prouder of them and how they engaged with the session and the project. “
Headteacher Joe Cudd said: “We jumped at the opportunity to work with the Moondance Cancer Initiative, Public Health Wales, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Mrs Johnson.
“The curriculum for Wales provides us with opportunity for authentic and relevant learning experiences.
“This was an outstanding opportunity for the pupils to experience the expertise of the health board in their classroom.
“We hope this will support the uptake of the bowel screening in our community too.”
Peyton Jones, quality and service improvement manager at Bowel Screening Wales, said: “Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if it is diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
“That is why we’re especially excited by the session with pupils from Ysgol Pen Rhos, as they now have important knowledge that will help them look out for their family and loved ones, and themselves too.”