Oncology and Public Health - Period 2 Social Sciences & Humanities Program Fall 2020 Semester - Amsterdam

More than 3 million new cases and 1.7 million deaths every year make cancer one of the most frequent causes of mortality and morbidity in Europe. In the Netherlands, over 100,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year (www.cijfersoverkanker.nl). The course 'Oncology & Public Health' focuses on oncology, from a "cell to society" perspective. Plenary lectures will be provided by the experts in the field of Oncology & Public Health both from the VU University, VU University Medical Center, including the Cancer Center Amsterdam, and from other universities and organizations, such as the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI-AVL). The lectures aim to transfer basic knowledge about the relevant topics in the field of oncology starting with basic knowledge on oncogenesis, cancer detection and treatment as well as cancer epidemiology. Throughout the course, there is a shift towards a societal perspective, with more emphasizes on the late effects of cancer and its treatment, and rehabilitation and supportive care issues. Preventive strategies and the effectiveness of various interventions reducing adverse effects of cancer and cancer treatment, and aiming to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors will be discussed. According to the National Coalition of Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), a cancer survivor is defined as any person diagnosed with cancer, from the time of initial diagnosis until his or her death. To highlight the issues that cancer survivors are facing, during primary cancer treatment, as well as after completion of treatment and during long term survivorship (e.g., returning to work), three cancer survivors will share their experiences with the students, and 3 practical translation lectures are included. Finally, the students will work on a concise literature study answering an important research question on an Oncology & Public Health issue, from the viewpoint of their assigned tumor type.

Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.