Cancer Happens

Our program engages, educates, and empowers teens to adopt healthy behaviors to reduce their cancer risk and improve their health.
We work with educators, schools, and districts across the country.

What We Cover:

  • Basic cancer terminology and statistics
  • Cancer risk factors and protective factors
  • Family history and genetics
  • Tobacco and vaping/e-cigarettes
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination
  • Sun safety and skin checks 
  • Testicular cancer
  • Breast self-awareness
  • Nutrition and physical activity
  • Reputable resources for teens and opportunities to get involved

How It’s Taught:

  • Live Presentation: 45-50 minutes; Presented in-person or virtually by our trained health educators. Student participation and active learning is invited and encouraged!
  • eLearning: currently 2 courses available – Vaping/E-cigarettes and Cancer Happens (digital adaptation of live presentation)
Our curriculum aligns with the National Health Education Standards.

Listen in to learn more:

Interested in signing-up?

Whether you’re an educator, administrator, counselor, or parent – we would be happy to assist you with accessing Cancer Happens! Please fill out our form and we will be in touch:

Questions? Email Jana Mastrogiovanni (jana@cancerpathways.org)

Our Impact

Since 2005, we have reached over 117,000 students from across the country.

Hear from teachers and students to learn more about our impact.

Additional Support for Educators

Additional Support for Teens

Find out why you should bring to your classroom:
Listen in to what teachers are saying:
Help us raise $25,000 this February – all donations matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact!

This match is in honor of Pinky Brindle, the mother of one of our board members, who passed away from cancer.