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CCA to visit schools for oral cancer awareness
Oral Cancer Awareness Month proclamation next week
The Commonwealth Cancer Association will be visiting public middle and high schools this month and April to provide better awareness on oral cancer, according to CCA program manager Juan L. Babauta.
Commonwealth Cancer Association makes a presentation on oral cancer at the Tanapag Middle High School. From left to right: CCA’s Audrey Ada, Monica Pua, Dr. Irma Halaby, Mami Ikeda, Dr. Daniel Lamar, TMS counselor Erica Thornburg, Bianca Espinoza and CCA program manager Juan L. Babauta. (Contributed Photo)
He said the visits will allow junior high and high school students to learn about issues regarding oral cancer where betel nut chewing is prevalent among the younger generation.
CCA took the initiative to kick-start the awareness outreach at Tanapag Middle School last Feb. 27. Babauta said they started around 8:30am and held a presentation to a group of 7th and 8th graders.
“We gave a PowerPoint presentation on CCA programs and services. School counselor Erica Thornburgh and the teachers were in attendance. Dr. Irma Halaby spoke about oral cancer, sharing some powerful messages with the students,” Babauta said.
“Dr. Dan Lamar also conducted a similarly powerful and emotional presentation. Mami Ikeda also shared her heartfelt and powerful story,” he added.
Babauta noted that they will be going to Kagman High School today, Friday, around 9am and was supposed to visit ChaCha Oceanview Junior High School around 12pm, but the latter was cancelled due to a development workshop.
On March 26, they will conduct their presentation at Hopwood Junior High School at 9am. March 27 will be at San Antonio Middle School, and then Dandan Middle School on April 9.
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
CCA will also hold a proclamation signing at 10am at the Governor’s Office conference room.
The proclamation will declare April 2015 as Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Babauta said this will help people in the CNMI understand more about the dangers of betel nut chewing, as it is one of the leading causes of oral cancer on the islands.
CCA will partner with dentists and cancer advocates for early detection of this disease and prevention of the disease through oral cancer screenings.
They will also hold a roadside waving on April 6 and an oral cancer forum on April 15. After April, CCA’s signature fundraising event—the 2015 Marianas March Against Cancer—will kick off on May 1 to 2.
