The Ministry of Health announced on March 17 that more than 400 teachers from Army schools in Peru have completed the “Semillitas de la Prevención en Cáncer 2026” training course. The program, led by the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN), aims to strengthen preventive education about cancer among schoolchildren.
The initiative is intended to help teachers incorporate health promotion and cancer prevention into their annual curriculum. The training included 80 academic hours covering both theoretical content and practical guidance on developing classroom projects focused on healthy habits and risk reduction.
During the closing ceremony, Adela Heredia Zelaya, Deputy Head of INEN, spoke on behalf of Institutional Head Francisco Berrospi Espinoza. “Prevention does not start in the hospital; it starts at school and at home. When we teach a child healthy habits, we are building a generation with greater awareness about caring for their health,” Heredia Zelaya said.
She also noted that many cancer cases are linked to modifiable risk factors such as unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, or excessive sun exposure. “If we intervene early, we can significantly reduce the impact of these diseases in the future. To educate is to prevent,” Heredia Zelaya said.
Currently, the “Semillitas de la Prevención en Cáncer” tool has been implemented in 19 educational institutions across regions including Lima, Cusco, Junín, Áncash, and La Libertad. The program aligns with the National Multisectoral Plan for Cancer Control 2025–2030 and includes technical support and follow-up to ensure its sustainability.
