CARES4You Curriculum for Cancer Prevention

(CARES4You Trial)

This trial tests a new science curriculum designed to teach middle school students about cancer risk and prevention. The goal is to determine if learning about cancer in school encourages students to make healthier choices and engage more with their caregivers about cancer risks. Some schools will implement the new lessons immediately, while others will continue with their usual science classes. Researchers will compare these groups to assess the impact of the CARES4You Curriculum. Students in New York City public middle schools, along with their caregivers, may be suitable participants for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for students and caregivers to contribute to educational research that could influence future cancer prevention education.

The trial does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications. However, since this study involves a school curriculum and not a medical treatment, it's unlikely that you would need to change your medications.

A previous study created the CARES4You program to teach middle school students about cancer risk and prevention. This program fits into regular science classes and meets national education standards. As an educational program, it poses no safety concerns.

Researchers are excited about the CARES4You Curriculum because it takes a proactive approach to cancer prevention by integrating education into students' regular science classes. Unlike traditional methods that focus on treatment after diagnosis, this curriculum aims to instill cancer risk awareness and healthy behaviors early on, potentially reducing future cancer risk. Additionally, involving caregivers with surveys on household communication about cancer risk enhances the curriculum's impact by promoting a family-wide focus on health. This educational strategy could redefine cancer prevention by shifting the emphasis from treatment to long-term prevention through knowledge and lifestyle changes.

Research has shown that teaching middle school students about cancer risk and prevention can encourage healthier habits. The CARES4You program is being tested in this trial to help students understand how lifestyle choices and the environment can affect their cancer risk. Students in the immediate intervention group will receive the CARES4You curriculum as part of their regular science class, while those in the delayed intervention group will initially follow their usual science curriculum. A similar study found that students who learned about cancer prevention were more likely to discuss it with their families. This program aims to help students make healthier choices and improve health knowledge for everyone. Early results suggest that including cancer prevention in school lessons can lower future cancer risks.¹²⁴⁵⁶