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Science

08 February 2010


Activity page

Hula hooping climber

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Primary activity

What is cancer?

What do you know about cancer? In class write down on the whiteboard every statement you believe to be true about cancer.

Now discuss each one as a class and use the internet to see if you can find out if it is true or false. Have you discovered anything you didn't know?

For example - do you think you can get cancer if you don't smoke?
Megan has thyroid cancer which is a really rare form of cancer and is not caused by smoking but smoking can cause lots of cancers including lung cancer.

In pairs use the internet to find out what smoke does to your lungs and the rest of your body. Make a poster giving five good reasons not to smoke - use bright colours and bold words to get your message across.

megan

Thyroid cancer has plagued Megan (right) since she was 21

Picture: PA

Find out more

More on the WCRF

www.wcrf-uk.org

Watch Jules' video

www.youtube.com

Smoking stinks

www.kidshealth.org

About thyroid cancer

www.cancerhelp.org.uk

More on lung cancer

www.cancerhelp.org.uk

Teachers' notes

Primary lesson objectives

  • that substances like tobacco, alcohol and other drugs can affect the way the body functions and these effects can be harmful
  • to understand that some diseases like cancer can happen to anyone

Primary curriculum links

Science at key stages 1 and 2    (Year 5)
Unit 5A: Keeping healthy
Section 9: Drugs, tobacco, alcohol and health

Glossary

Overwhelming very strong and powerful

Positivity an attitude where someone always looks at the good side of things rather than focusing on the bad side

Resolutely showing great determination

Summit the very top of the mountain

Tumours masses of cells growing in or on a part of the body where they should not

© Guardian News and Media 2010