“Right Choices” - Development and Implementation of an American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Curriculum for Secondary Students

Abstract

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has developed the curriculum “Right Choices” for secondary students in order to give them the information they need to make good health decisions. This article describes the framework for the curriculum, the theory base, and the curricula implementation. A second article to be published in the next issue of the Journal of Health Education focuses upon the evaluation of curriculum implementation. The formulation of goals and objectives served as a framework to guide in “Right Choices” development. The goals were to increase students' understanding of cancer and their ability to reduce their personal risk of cancer. A range of theories was incorporated into “Right Choices” with particular attention given to social learning, self-concept, communication, fear arousal, and decision making. Processes utilized to ensure quality control in “Right Choices” curriculum development are described. The inclusion of many checks and balances is an integral part of the ACS materials development process. Available to schools at no charge, “Right Choices” appears to have significant potential for school-based cancer prevention programs.