How to Beat Cancer: Prevention, Detection and Treatment

Course description:
This summer school  course will be a collaborative academic offering by Queen Mary University London, Barts and The London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. The course will provide clear understanding of the different types of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are related to the pathogenesis of cancer. The first section will review the principles of cancer initiation, promotion and progression. The second section will focus on the individual, controllable  factors that can affect cancer risk: 1) smoking;  2)  body mass index; 3) physical exercise; 4) alcohol consumption; 5) diet (pro-carcinogenic and anti-carcinogenic dietary substances);  6) UV radiation; and 7) vaccination against oncogenic viruses. The third section will focus on principles of cancer screening and the limitations of cancer screening test development . The benefits and harms of current cancer screening tests will be reviewed. The fourth section will review the essential roles of education, motivation, incentivization, and psychosocial environment (mental health, stress, socialization, education,  financial status) on compliance with cancer-lowering behaviors of individuals and the larger impact of compliance  on the public health, nationally and globally.  It will  showcase the  value of multidisciplinary approaches in achieving the compliance needed to change health outcomes around the world.

Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module, students can expect to have acquired:

• An understanding of the fundamental principles of carcinogenesis and fundamental knowledge in the area of human cancer prevention

• The ability to evaluate the data supporting different types of environmental factors that initiate and promote cancer

• The capability to analyse the role of human behaviour modulation in achieving the goals of cancer prevention

• Skills in summarizing and explaining scientific evidence in oral and written communication

• The competence to demonstrate skill in critical appraisal and analysis of the scientific literature and the ability to judge and interpret methods and results

• An understanding on how to integrate information of different types from different sources to construct a coherent presentation on a scientific topic

• An ability to adapt the principles of cancer prevention science into effective patient support for risklowering behaviour modification

• The intelligence to engage and communicate effectively about cancer prevention and cancer risk modulation through behaviour change

Assessments:
The course assessments are not compulsory, however, if you wish to transfer credit for this course to your home university it is essential to complete the assignments.
Group Presentation (30 min.), Lay summary and cartoon (300 words plus cartoon)

Preparation:
Before you arrive on campus, it is advised that you familiarise yourself with the course content before it begins. You will be given instructions for accessing our Virtual Learning Environment (QMplus) before you arrive on campus.

Teaching:
The course is taught in two two-hour sessions per day (10.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 15.00), held Monday to Thursday each week.