How Does Education Inequality in Pakistan Influence Cancer Awareness, Anxiety, and Future Uncertainty Among Teenagers?

Abstract 

Education inequality is a major challenge in Pakistan that affects not only academic achievement but also health knowledge and wellbeing. Differences in access to quality education, science learning, and health education exist across rural and urban areas, provinces, socioeconomic groups, and genders. This study examines how education inequality influences cancer awareness, anxiety, and future uncertainty among Pakistani teenagers. A narrative literature review and document analysis were conducted using peer-reviewed research and reports from UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pakistan. The findings suggest that unequal educational opportunities reduce health literacy and limit teenagers' understanding of cancer risk factors, symptoms, prevention, and early detection. Limited science and health education also increase misconceptions, fear, and uncertainty about future health. In contrast, better educational opportunities strengthen health literacy, improve cancer awareness, and support informed health decisions. Overall, the evidence indicates that education inequality indirectly influences teenagers' cancer awareness and psychological wellbeing by shaping the quality of health information they receive. Improving equitable access to quality education and school health programmes may help increase cancer awareness and reduce anxiety and future uncertainty among Pakistani teenagers. 

Keywords: education inequality, cancer awareness, health literacy, teenagers, Pakistan, anxiety, future uncertainty Click here to read Warda Sheikha's paper