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Development of a National Public Educational Facility for Preventing Cancer: Progress, Problems and Lessons Learnt ICISG, UICC, Washington 2006 Flora Yong, Senior Nurse Manager, Cancer Education & Information Service National Cancer Centre Singapore 10 Most frequent cancers Percentage of all cancers Percentage of all cancers Background In 1993 the Singapore Health Ministry approved the establishment of a cancer center to: coordinate a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, undertake training and education of medical, radiation and surgical oncologists and other allied health personnel, develop relevant clinical and basic research program in the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. Cancer education & information service Established in August 1999 to coordinate public and patient cancer education for the National Cancer Centre with the long term mission of minimizing the frequency of incurable cancers in Singapore. Aims Provide accurate and credible information Develop and deliver effective cancer education programs that promotes a healthy lifestyle Provide specialized counseling, support and linkage Collaborate with other agencies related to cancer and control Cancer Helpline Manned by experienced oncologytrained nurses Anonymous, private and confidential counseling service OnCall - A Computerized counseling and consultation system Telephone, email, face-to-face Advisory panel of cancer experts Public education programs Assist to obtain knowledge, skills & positive attitudes Provide credible, up-to-date and evidencebased information to improve health seeking behaviour Collaborate with other agencies Cancer publications Develop patient and public education materials in print and multi-media formats. 38% of patients have read some form of information before diagnosis Information is updated 2 yearly Public cancer website development Provide information on common cancers, risk factors, screening, treatment, research and links to other websites. Barriers and problems Poor public response at cancer education events – Cancer is TABOO Manpower – staffing, staff competency & experience Communication & language barriers Conflict of interest & Competition Funding Long & irregular work hours Lessons learnt Be passionate, be patient, be involved Build a strong team Create, collaborate & communicate Market yourself & your programmes Learn from mistakes & make improvements Take risks & challenges Be diplomatic, be tactful, be supportive Speakers Cora Honing, Director of Prevention and Patient Support, Dutch Cancer Society [email protected] Ingrid Aubry, Manager Cancer Awareness System, French National Cancer Institute [email protected] Monika Preszly, Manager, Cancer Information Service, German Cancer Research Center [email protected] Flora Yong, Senior Nurse Manager Cancer Education & Information Service National Cancer Centre Singapore [email protected]