Talking to groups of teens

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sarahsewer
sarahsewer Member Posts: 79
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I've been asked to talk to a large group of teens and tweeens about breast cancer. Any suggestions on what I ought to cover? This is a Girl Socut program called Pinkalicious.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited September 2010

    I wonder about asking who there had a mom, grandmom, aunt, sister who has/had bc and go from their questions that perhaps they didn't ask their family member but always wanted to know.

    Avoid the terms slash, poison, burn---LOL

    Let them know that it's treatable,most people have good outcomes, and that we should all be vigilent, but not obsessed with BSE every month.  And yes, 1 in 8 (is it that or 6?) women will be diagnosed but nowadays, most will be diagnosed early and treated well as long as she accepts responsibility for herself and goes for mammo beginning ------appropriate age.

    And that they all grow up to be the scientist who finds the CURE!  and the CAUSE

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited September 2010

    I don't know if it would be appropriate but the basics of self-exam?  Maybe they are too young. 

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  • sarahsewer
    sarahsewer Member Posts: 79
    edited September 2010

    Thanks for the ideas. The girls will be grades 4 through 12. I'll also help with the mammo-care part of the program. They will have 8 prosthetics with tumors and such.

    Yes, I was thinking of talking about the prevalance and treatability and how they can help friends whose moms may be in treatment.

    I might find a good Kohl's coupon and buy a bunch of the cheap pink umbrella's they are currently sellig. Maybe make them door prizes.

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  • Wonderland
    Wonderland Member Posts: 3,288
    edited September 2010

    Sarah,

    I've involved with Girl Scouts and have led workshops for high school and middle school girls to earn the "In the Pink" Interest Project. There are specific requirements that must be covered to earn it. Try to get a list of requirements for Pinkalicious. Definitely tell them your bc story. Another suggestion is to have girls go home and interview all the women in their families about their last mammogram. It will generate alot of conversation.

    Good luck - I'm sure you'll do great.

    Wonderland

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  • sarahsewer
    sarahsewer Member Posts: 79
    edited September 2010

    Wonderland,

    I love your idea about the interview. During council realignment 2 years ago we lost a lot of the council only badges, including the BC badge. I'll go online and look.

    I have come up with a title for my talk - I'm a Lucky Old Woman.

    Sarah

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  • CheriD
    CheriD Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2010

    My suggestion is to also tell them that they know their own bodies better than anyone else. If they feel something is wrong, or not normal for them, they need to pay attention to it and see a Dr. They need to be taught early to be proactive. This goes for their entire body not just thier brests!

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  • Wonderland
    Wonderland Member Posts: 3,288
    edited September 2010

    Sarah,

    Love the title of your talk!

    Obviously you're a Girl Scout volunteer. Council realignments have been a challenge to say the least!

    I have another thought to add. Let them know that Juliette Gordon Low died of breast cancer. I don't know what treatments she had or even what treatments were available in the mid 1920s. She kept her bc a secret so she could keep working for the Girl Scouts. I just hope she didn't suffer much.

    Let us know how your talk goes.

    Alice

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  • sarahsewer
    sarahsewer Member Posts: 79
    edited September 2010

    Alice,

    Yup, I'm a leader, 2 troops and SAM. The Think Pink program will have a Juliette Low portion, although off the top of my head I cannot remember what it is. 

    I am also organizing our areas Juliette Low 150th Birthday Halloween Bash. That will be fun and games and prizes.

    CheriD,

    I plan on planting the seed of being proactive. Younger kids must rely on their parents or guardians to get them the best care, but girls in their late teens need to be willing to challlenge people who are try to dismiss their fears. As cancer survivors, we have all become our own best advocates. And while I don't tell them all their business, I know my body and I don't want my complaints dismissed.

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