Two leading experts from across the globe have shared their deep knowledge of cancer to help students studying Cancer in Society – one of the subjects in the new online Master of Cancer Sciences developed by Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne.
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by US-based haematologist and oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee is regarded as one of the 100 most influential books of the last century and featured in a PBS documentary. Dr Kylie Mason is a haematologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital; has a Premiers’ Award for Health and Medical Science and overcame leukaemia as a child.
The two experts used technology to link students to their discussion about developing cancer research and treatments.
“Accessing great minds at the leading edge of cancer treatments is a unique aspect of the new educational program by the VCCC alliance of ten hospitals and research institutes”, says course convenor Dr David Kok.
“Cancer is such a fast-moving field,” says the subject development coordinator Associate Professor Brigid Lynch from Cancer Council Victoria. “Pulling on the strengths of the VCCC alliance and its national and international networks means we can offer students something unique.
“When we looked at the law in cancer prevention, we were able to draw upon the expertise of the Melbourne-based McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, the only centre of its kind in the world, and which exists to make the law work better to prevent cancer and help those affected by it.
“By tapping into the knowledge at the McCabe Centre we will ensure students gain a greater understanding of how the law can be leveraged across the whole spectrum from say, its role in tobacco control, the effects on people in low-income countries and the human rights aspects of poor health and prevention.”
From June this year, Victorians at the end of life who are suffering and who meet strict eligibility criteria can request access to voluntary assisted dying.
A/Prof Lynch says ethics is a key part of the cancer course and a main assessment piece.
“Students will be challenged to weigh up personal freedom versus the greater good. End of life issues can be enormously difficult. We look at a case study where a person has a terminal diagnosis and the family argue strongly that they not be told.”
Dr Matthew Grant, Research Fellow, VCCC Palliative Medicine Research Group and Palliative Medicine Physician at St Vincent’s Hospital regularly sees patients who are benefiting from palliative care and saw an opportunity to help emerging cancer professionals learn. Within the Cancer in Society course design he will be sharing his frontline experiences - alongside patients, social workers, psychologists and educators, to really help students come to grips from a very personal perspective.
A/Prof Lynch says, “Simulation is another technique we’ve used. An actor lends their voice to a real-life phone call to the 13 11 20 Cancer Council Information and Support line from a woman with bowel cancer. It is a powerful and somewhat confronting lesson that illustrates the value of communication skills when dealing with family members and patients.
She encourages professionals from all disciplines to consider the course.
"We have oncologists, exercise physiologists, radiologists, GPs, nurses, clinical trials professionals so learning is enhanced by everyone bringing their own skills and experiences...some are beginning their careers and others are looking to update their skills and knowledge."
The online Cancer Sciences program offers professional development, Specialist Certificate, Graduate Certificate and Masters options. Find out more online.unimelb.edu.au/cancer-sciences.
