| CODE | NUR5140 | ||||||||
| TITLE | The Biology of Cancer and Application in Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Nursing | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will give an overview of the metastatic changes accompaning the development of a tumour, the assessment and diagnosis of these changes and the various cancer treatments available. The benefits and potential side effects of these treatments will also be critically appraised. Moreover, this study-unit will provide clinical evidence of the importance of cancer screening to reduce the morbidity and mortality of a cancer diagnosis. Topics to be covered in this study-unit include: - Molecular and cellular processes involved in tumour formation, progression, and metastasis; - Assessments in cancer diagnosis including physical examination, lab investigations, image investigations, biopsies, and surgical interventions; - Cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapies, molecular targeted therapies, immunotherapy, surgical management, bone marrow transplantation, drug resistance, and complications of cancer treatments. Study-Unit Aims: - Describe the molecular and cellular basis of cancer from different aspects including cell signaling, proliferation, tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes; - Describe in detail the techniques involved in cancer screening; - Describe the different assessments performed in arriving to a cancer diagnosis; - Convey an understanding of how different types of treatments work against cancer, why they cause side effects, and how they are used together. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the molecular and cellular processes involved in tumour formation; - Explain the different techniques and assessments performed to screen for and diagnose cancer; - Describe the various cancer treatments available and their benefits; - Identify the potential side effects of various cancer treatments. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate effective communication with other members of the multidisciplinary cancer team; - Provide patients with accurate information about the impact of genes on risk identification and management, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of cancer. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Barton-Burke, M. & Wilkes, G. M. (2006). Cancer therapies. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Supplementary Readings: - Tadman, M., Roberts, D., & Foulkes, M. (2019). Oxford handbook of cancer nursing. (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. Further readings and other relevant material will be provided throughout the course. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Study-unit: NUR5133 | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Daren Chircop (Co-ord.) Claire Grima Danika Maria Marmara Deborah Mizzi |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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