Health Class is a hurdle every high school student faces. Over the past three years, I have brought my homemade anti-smoking presentation to Health Class students in two area high schools.
First, I point out that in a class of thirty 14-year-olds, about five are smoking daily, and almost eight will be smoking by the time they are Seniors. I show examples of magazine advertisements and talk about peer pressure, marketing, and societal norms. I bring a videotape I made of several cancer patients who talk about beginning smoking as young teens and the effects of cancer and its treatment. Finally, I show slides of cancers and cancer surgery. It is a graphic presentation and it generates reactions.
I volunteered to teach Health Classes after hearing Owen Griffith, PhD tell this story: The Surgeon and the Scientist are standing beside a swiftly running river. Suddenly, a drowning man is being swept down the rapids. The Surgeon leaps in and saves him. As soon as the first victim is on shore, another drowning man cries for help. This happens over and over again, and each time the Surgeon hauls out a gasping victim.
After a while, the Scientist turns and begins walking upstream. The Surgeon pants, "Where are you going?!? Help me save these people!"
"I am going to help you," the Scientist replies, "by stopping whoever is throwing them into the river in the first place!"
My patients have tobacco-related illnesses. When I talk to teens about smoking I play the role of the Scientist trying to prevent rather than just treat cancer. Honestly, teaching six hours of Health Class is more tiring than a day in the operating room. In the long run, however, it can potentially have a greater impact.
Bruce H. Campbell, MD, FACS
Interim Director
Froedtert & Medical College Cancer Center
