A CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CANCER EDUCATION-PROGRAM FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS IN AN URBAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

This article describes an innovative transfer of cancer prevention inf ormation from a Comprehensive Cancer Center to the community and schoo l setting. A cancer control curriculum, developmentally and cultural a ppropriate for middle school, African-American children, was taught to seventh grade students in a public middle school in a large, northeas tern city. By building partnerships among a university, an academic me dical center, a public school district, and a non-profit arts organiza tion, students learned cancer control concepts in rite context of thei r daily lives Students increased their knowledge of cancer risk and de monstrated a positive attitude about their ability to affect their own health. Experience with this project enabled staff to identify additi onal education and support needs that exist among students who have fa mily members with cancer.