Dates:
25^th November 2015

Venue:
Education Centre, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester

Course description:

There are no academic pre-requisites for the Cancer Researchers' Introductory Course. Participants may hold any role in the Cancer Dvision and will be new, or relatively new, in post (ideally within 3 months). The course is introductory and pre-supposes only a basic understanding of biology. A short review of normal cell biology is provided as pre-reading.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the meaning of the key words and terminology in routine use in cancer research.
• To investigate the biological basis of cancer and the link to the mechanism of action of treatments.
• To explore the common pathways for cancer patients from diagnosis and through the different treatment modalities.
• To review the current treatments and their adverse events.
• To appreciate the impact of a cancer diagnosis on a patient and their family and to consider survivorship.

Introduction:

• Nature and symptoms of cancer, incidence & survival rates in the UK.

Cell Biology:

• Normal cell physiology.
• Abnormal features of cancer cell function.
• Genetic basis of cancer.
• Identification of potential treatment targets.

Exercise 1 Risk Factor (small group)

Diagnosis & Investigations:

• Cancer Care Pathway, screening and timelines.
• Investigations: direct assessment (i.e.,examination, medical history, performance, status, quality of life).
• Surgery (i.e.,biopsy, aspiration, laproscopy).
• Laboratory (i.e.,histology, biomarkers, haematology, cytogenetics).
• Scans (i.e.,x-ray, computerised tomography (i.e.,RECIST), magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, scopes).

Exercise 2 Parameter & Investigation Linking (i.e.,small group)
What is considered in a diagnosis; tumour sites, histological cell type, status & grade
Exercise 3 Patients Experience (i.e.,small group) leading to need for Holistic Needs Assessment

Cancer treatment:

• Re-visist Cancer Care Pathway.
• Treatment decision.
• Role of multidisciplinary teams.
• Overall aims of treatment.
• Clinical trial consideration for efficacy & safety.
• Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

Surgery:

• Overview.
• How does it work?.
• What happens to the patient during treatment, and what are the possible adverse events?

Radiotherapy:

• Overview.
• External and internal radiotherapy.
• How does it work?
• What happens to the patient during treatment and what are the possible short-term and long-term adverse effects?

Drug Therapy:

Re-visit multiple treatment targets & types of drug therapy

• Chemotherapy.
• Biological Therapies.
• Small Molecule Targeted Therapies.
• Hormone Targeted Therapies.
• Complimentary Therapies.

For each:

• Overview.
• How does this treatment work?
• What happens to the patient during treatment and what are the possible adverse effects?

Exercise 4 Cancer Treatments Quiz on treatments (pairs).

Survivorship:

• Domains of survivorship.
• Ongoing health issues for survivors.