Teenagers in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, will get to learn about healthy life choices to reduce the risk of cancer with the launch of a healthy teens school program.
The program will be launched by the PNG Cancer Foundation (PNGCF) at Cameron and Hagita secondary schools on April 5-6, sponsored by Kumul Consolidated Holdings and Kumul Petroleum Ltd.
It focuses on empowering teens and encouraging them to reduce their risk of cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices.
The program will be conducted to Grade Nine students and include topics on healthy eating and the benefits of regular exercise.
Research by the PNG Institute of Medical research suggests that 1 in 10 deaths in PNG are because of cancer.
PNGCF chief executive officer Dadi Toka Jr stated that introducing the program allows PNGCF to target a particular demographic to have a positive influence on the lifestyle choices they make for the future.
Smoking tobacco, chewing betelnut and consumption of alcohol are all scientifically proven to increase your chances of getting some type of cancer including mouth, breast and cervical cancers.
You can also reduce your cancer risk by eating healthy and exercising regularly.