Cancer awareness at Tatana Primary School

The Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation (PNGCF) carried out a cancer awareness program today in Tatana village, Port Moresby.
PNGCF, in partnership with ExxonMobil (PNG) Ltd, conducted its second Healthy Teens School Program (HTSP) for 2018 to the upper primary school students – grade 6, 7 and 8 of Tatana Primary School.
PNGCF Health Educator, Jacob Oburi, spoke to the students about what cancer was and how to reduce the risk of acquiring the illness.
He stated that the HTSP was basically about getting the message across to teens in school, especially upper primary and lower secondary school students as they are more susceptible to these habits.
“Through this program, we encourage our students not to chew betel-nut, smoke cigarettes, or take alcohol,” said Mr Oburi.
“We also encourage them to eat healthy. Sometimes we do not want to eat what our mothers cook; we want to eat what we want to eat, but it is important to make healthy choices.”
PNGCF Programs Coordinator Priscillar Napoleon stressed on the importance of taking the message home to family and friends to educate them as well about protecting their future from cancer.
Also present at the event, was 2018 Commonwealth Games Weightlifter Silver Medallist Dika Toua, and her sister Thelma who shared their sporting experiences and how important it was to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
The HTSP will continue to conduct cancer awareness programs in Boera, Baruni, Hanuabada and Porebada villages throughout the year.

Picture: students of Tatana Primary School with Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist, Dika Toua. PNGFM