Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue. It has been brought to my attention that other parts of the world have self-awareness programmes for young people, particularly in respect of cancer. I appreciate that the Minister of State of the Department of Education and Science is present in the Chamber. Some might say the relevant Department is the Department of Health and Children but I specifically raised the matter with regard to social, personal and health education, SPHE, and civic, social and political education, CSPE, classes. It is important to promote the concept of cancer self-screening among young people, with a particular focus on young adults. Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. The WHO estimates that, without intervention, 84 million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015. Intervention is the key word. Given the sheer magnitude of such a startling statistic, it is imperative we develop strategic efforts to enable the early detection of cancer. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment and the greater the opportunity for a cure.

In raising this matter I call for the development of a strategy on self-screening aimed at and for introduction in secondary schools with the objective to educate young men and women on how to carry out self-screening examinations. For example, in the US medical professionals come into classrooms with sample body parts made of latex or some such substance, similar to prosthetics, with different sized lumps. The children are encouraged to examine the prosthetics and know what a cancerous lump feels like as an early problem or an advanced problem. It teaches young male and female students to know what they are looking for. As part of the social, personal and health education syllabus, students are given support towards personal development, health and well-being and are aided in the promotion of physical well-being. In our days at school all of us remember horrific embarrassing moments where nuns tried to teach us and the priests took boys away for the class. Matters have moved on significantly since then and the SPHE syllabus allows students to become more in tune with personal development, especially with regard to the development of their bodies.

As with all types of cancer, prevention is better than cure. Within the remit of the SPHE class, students should be allowed to carry out a breast or testicle self-examination and most importantly informed what they should be looking for. Medically, it is advised that young women should begin breast self-examinations once a month, starting in their late teens from the age of 18 to 20 years. It has been advised that young male teenagers should carry out self-examinations of their testicles starting at the age of 15, to be carried out on a monthly basis. Self-examination will help individuals become aware of their own bodies and in turn means they will recognise changes that may have occurred. I ask the Minister of State if he will consider such a change to the SPHE syllabus to allow for such information and demonstrations to be given.

Such a delicate subject may be intimidating for some teachers so perhaps a trained medical representative would be best suited. However, I understand this would be up to the discretion of the school and board of management. The consequence of putting such a syllabus in place will be of great benefit in the battle against cancer as it will mean that symptoms are detected early and thus will be treated early, hopefully before the cancer becomes too serious. In Ireland and in Europe generally, one in three people will develop cancer at some stage in life. On consideration of this startling fact, it cannot be stressed enough how important it is for men and women to check their bodies regularly. This can only be done though education. Inspiring young men and women to be more proactive with regard to their physical health and well-being will not only open up a line of communication but will also undoubtedly significantly reduce the numbers of cancer-related deaths in Ireland.

All of us want to see the economic benefits of dealing with less cancer in the future but more importantly we want to see greater survival rates in the future. This is not the most sensitive topic I can raise in the Chamber but an existing programme can be expanded and this is a matter of life and death. Therefore, it is important to the development of young people and, if sensitively handled, it could be an important step for the Department.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to outline the position regarding the provision of self-awareness programmes on checking for cancer and whether these could be piloted in CSPE classes.

CSPE is a mandatory programme at junior cycle in post-primary schools. It aims to develop the knowledge and skills for critical awareness, ethical decision-making and participatory citizenship based on an understanding of human rights and social responsibilities. Issues explored include gender equity, racism, interculturalism, environmental protection, development education, poverty, unemployment and homelessness through group work discussions, activities and research and action projects. While the subject aims to develop critical awareness, it does not address awareness of health issues.

Therefore, the area of self-awareness programmes on checking for cancer is more relevant to SPHE. This subject has been a mandatory part of the junior cycle core curriculum in post-primary schools since September 2003. The overall aim of the programme is to help develop students' confidence and self-esteem and promote the skills for living, for responsible decision making, including making informed decisions about their mental, physical and emotional health and well-being. The implementation of these programmes in schools is supported by full-time support services which provide in-service training for teachers and advice and support to schools. The second level SPHE support service is operated jointly with the health sector.

The content of SPHE at junior cycle is comprehensive and is presented in ten modules that address topics and issues relevant to the lives of students. One of the modules is physical health, covering topics such as body care, healthy eating, diet, exercise, relaxation and feeling unwell. The aims of this topic include enabling students to link common symptoms of illness to their causes, with particular reference to illnesses associated with adolescence, and helping students to appreciate the need to seek medical and other professional advice and help.

A cancer awareness programme developed by the Marie Keating Foundation, with support from the SPHE support service, has been designed to be used within the SPHE curriculum. The aims of the programme are to promote awareness among students at post-primary level of various forms of cancer and the importance of early detection in an age-appropriate way. A resource pack to support the programme was produced and sent to all post-primary schools in 2008. The resources include lesson plans, worksheets, learning activities, fact sheets, a CD, DVD and on-line resources, including podcasts. Among the topics covered in the cancer awareness programme are risks, symptoms, early detection and treatment of various forms of cancer, while procedures for self-examination to encourage early detection of breast, testicular and skin cancer, are set out in the resource pack. The early detection of lung cancer through medical examinations and cervical cancer through screening programmes is also covered in the programme.

Prior to the programme being circulated to post-primary schools, it was piloted by a number of groups. A preliminary study was conducted in a number of single sex and mixed post-primary schools in 2005 and 2006. The research was carried out with students in transition year, fifth and sixth years, in collaboration with their teachers. In addition to the resources detailed which specifically aim to make students aware of the benefits of early detection of cancer through self-examination, the wide range of skills and competencies which SPHE aims to develop enables students to lead healthy lives and make informed decisions regarding their health, including being able to identify sources of medical and other professional advice and seek it when needed.

I thank the Senator for affording me the opportunity to outline to the House the current position on the provision for post-primary schools of self-awareness programmes on checking for cancer.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I will allow one supplementary question.

Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for informing me that a programme is in place. Resources such as lesson plans, worksheets, learning activities, fact sheets, CDs, DVDs and on-line resources, including podcasts, are not as effective as the method of touch and feel. If we are telling people they should use procedures for self-examination to look for a lump or bump, it would be much easier to hand them a model and let them examine it rather than reading about the facts in a book. I know I would react far quicker and understand faster if this was the method used. I, therefore, ask the Department to consider expanding the resources available and examine the concept of using more tactile resource materials. I take the opportunity to congratulate the Irish Cancer Society which has expanded its services to include five new centres which opened this week. It is doing tremendous work in raising awareness and providing support.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will convey the Senator's suggestion to officials in my Department. She might consider raising the matter with the Marie Keating Foundation.