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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to the Biology of Cancer by Johns Hopkins University

4.8
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7,414 ratings

About the Course

Over 500,000 people in the United States and over 8 million people worldwide are dying every year from cancer. As people live longer, the incidence of cancer is rising worldwide and the disease is expected to strike over 20 million people annually by 2030. This open course is designed for people who would like to develop an understanding of cancer and how it is prevented, diagnosed, and treated. The course introduces the molecular biology of cancer (oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes) as well as the biologic hallmarks of cancer. The course also describes the risk factors for the major cancers worldwide, including lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer. We explain how cancer is staged, the major ways cancer is found by imaging, and how the major cancers are treated. In addition to the core materials, this course includes two Honors lessons devoted to cancers of the liver and prostate. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: - Identify the major types of cancer worldwide. (Lecture 1) - Describe how genes contribute to the risk and growth of cancer. (Lecture 2) - List and describe the ten cellular hallmarks of cancer. (Lecture 3) - Define metastasis, and identify the major steps in the metastatic process. (Lecture 4) - Describe the role of imaging in the screening, diagnosis, staging, and treatments of cancer. (Lecture 5) - Explain how cancer is treated. (Lecture 6) We hope that this course gives you a basic understanding of cancer biology and treatment. The course is not designed for patients seeking treatment guidance – but it can help you understand how cancer develops and provides a framework for understanding cancer diagnosis and treatment....

Top reviews

CO

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Thoroughly enjoyable course that covered some of the molecular biology and pharmacological management of cancer. Definitely gave me a heads up for my pathophysiology studies next semester!

FA

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It was a course of much interest. Everything is explained very simply. I have learned lot of important information. I am delighted to be able to do this online course at JOHNS HOPIKNS university.

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76 - 100 of 1,405 Reviews for Introduction to the Biology of Cancer

By Jorge M F

Apr 23, 2021

Un curso magnífico! Me voy feliz de haber aprendido los conceptos básicos y fundamentales acerca de una enfermedad tan dolorosa y común como es el cáncer. Espero utilizar mis conocimientos en la vida diaria para tomar precauciones e incentivar a las personas a cuidarse y controlarse a menudo. Muchas gracias a todo el equipo desarrollador, me llevo un aprendizaje para la vida!

By Melisa E

Oct 5, 2020

It was exactly what I would expect from an intermediate level course. It never lost my attention or made me feel like I was in over my head, while keeping me interested at all times through the quality and quantity of new relevant information about cancer. I'm glad I took this course and feel like I can distinguish myself from my peers with this insight! Thank you very much.

By Brita F

Dec 19, 2016

An excellent course! Whoever is interested in the development and metastasis of cancer should take this course. The lectures are very well presented and structured, so they are quite easy to follow even for a layman. I found the part on the hallmarks of cancer particularly interesting - a course that would go into more detail here would be on my wish list for future courses.

By Markos V

Jul 22, 2019

This is a great course! I do not have a medical background so it helped me understand several concepts. I liked the fact that after each session I had to answer quizzes to move on. On the improvement side, I would like to see the face of the person who is lecturing to make it more personal.

Thanks a lot for the amazing course, for sure I will come back to review it again!

By Kodagoda G I T

Apr 18, 2021

I was waiting to learn about cancers because my mother died due to cancer when I was 15 years old. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to learn about this disease. I hope that everyone should know about this disease very well in order to prevent this disease. I would like to thank the lecturer and Coursera for providing a wonderful study environment for me.

By Afsana R M

Aug 9, 2020

It's an amazing course! The pathophysiology of metastasis, all the hallmarks of cancer, various treatment options for each type of cancer- all these are taught here with great excellency in this course. As a medical student, I am greatly benefited by this course. Finally I am grateful to the course ordinator and all other members who have made this course so wonderful.

By Aravin k

Jul 26, 2020

This course is very informative and the content is very easily grasped. It is a beginner level course whereby people without a basic understanding of biology are able to participate. Furthermore, the quizzes ensure that you follow the course well enough. All the professors in this course did a fantastic job of making the course content short and highly informative.

By Lana K

Sep 3, 2021

Thank you very much for the valuable information you delivered to us throughout this course. It's been a highly beneficial and interesting course that I enjoyed every lecture and every minute of it. Also, this course enhanced my critical thinking and helped me find out what are the exact research interests that I'm going to focus on in my future graduate studies.

By BRAIZON Q G E A *

Oct 29, 2020

Este curso contiene información muy precisa e interesante acerca de muchos aspectos moleculares del cáncer y como se tratan los diferentes tipos de canceres en la actualidad. considero que es un muy buen curso para aquellas personas que desean iniciar una carrera investigativa relacionada con el cáncer ya sea en el área de la salud o de las ciencias biológicas

By Letícia C C d S

Jul 18, 2020

Um curso maravilhoso. Tive a oportunidade de revisar algumas informações e aprender bastante sobre o tema. Os professores que lecionam o curso são muito bons, tudo é dado de forma simples e direta, sendo fácil entender e não ficando cansativo. Adquiri um grande conhecimento e espero que isso possa fazer a diferença em minhas futuras pesquisas. Adorei.

By Sarah S

Apr 11, 2017

I work for a worldwide cancer research charity and found the course to be an excellent, challenging introduction to cancer biology. I particularly liked the fact that the course pointed towards some of the major questions that researchers are working around the clock answer, and that core materials were supplemented with examples of current research.

By Lora M

Mar 2, 2021

An excellent introduction to cancer course for students who have a general understanding of science. Some concepts (names of drugs, cell types & cellular processes) can be challenging for those who do not have a science background. Overall- this course provided outstanding information about cancer as it relates to types, diagnosis, and treatment.

By Dipto K S

Apr 30, 2020

This is an important topic now a days.In this course I have learned some types of cancer, which gene is responsible for cancer, how many people in the world are suffering from cancer, what is the treatment of cancer and known some chemotherapy. I hope this course will help me in future. And i thank to the instructor to help me in this course.

By laura r

Dec 15, 2016

Great Course, was literally hooked as content was very informative and well structured. Not too overwhelming with massive information. This is a brief but effective intro to cancer - however if you are not from a medical background you do have to do some background reading to understand pathways and functions of sub cellular components.

By Abija J

Aug 20, 2020

This course is really simple and it is designed in such a manner that somebody from not a biology background can also understand the concepts very well..it was a great opportunity for me to learn about a subject in which I am planning to pursue my research work..thanks a lot to the professors of this course as well as the organisers..

By Şevval P

Aug 3, 2023

I found this course very well-prepared. The instructors were all knowledgeable in their specialties and spoke English in a way that was easy for non-native speakers to understand. While my original focus was on neurobiology, I have also developed an interest in oncology. I appreciate the hard work that went into creating this course.

By Anushree D

Dec 13, 2020

I feel honored to complete this course under the guidance of Johns Hopkins University. I express my gratitude towards all the expert mentors for acknowledging me with this developing issue in the medical stream and broadening my spectrum towards accepting cancer as a challenge. Looking forward for many new courses regarding the same!

By Todd L

Dec 28, 2020

This course educated me to a much higher level in cancer biology. I would recommend this course to anyone, that wants to gain said knowledge. Thank You, all instructors, and others, for putting this course together. I'm a master beekeeper, University of Montana, bee sting therapist, Pollinator Champion, Michigan State University,

By SHARNALI A

Sep 3, 2020

This course was informative, yet not too overflowing with information which can leave the learners confused. This is a perfect course for anyone who wants to get basic yet sufficient knowledge on cancer biology in order to pursue a career in research on cancers. I am glad I took this course during the lock-down. Highly recommended.

By Adekunle S

Jul 29, 2020

I learnt a lot from this course. The docs. and profs. made the modules so basic and understandable to those that are new to the idea of cancer biology. I'm a biochemistry student at the university and I hope to continue in cancer research in my postgrad studies. This course was a stepping stone for sure. I appreciate the exposure.

By Jenny E

May 11, 2017

I took the course as I recently obtained a new career as a clinical research coordinator on an oncology unit. As a nurse, I have had no experience in oncology other than the short time in nursing school. This was a wonderful refresher and will make a tremendous difference in my transition to my new role as a nurse in oncology.

By Ricardo A T Z

Jan 8, 2022

A very complete journey into the knowledge and outcomes of cancer. Perfect for everyone starting out.

Not only for beginners but also for all the students and professionals seeking to understand more about cancer from biology to treatment, this course carries you all the way in a perfectly simple and yet well-explained way.

By Nadeem A

Oct 10, 2019

I was very informative to me. I learn different kind of cancer and there treatment, I came to know that what are drawback of cancer. If we dose not dignose it at time it can be a very dangerous and can effect almost all part of body . Thanks very much to my all faculty whose teach me very well . God bless you all . Thanks

By Pavithra K

Jul 9, 2016

I was working at a lab last summer where I worked on breast cancer cells. A lot of the signalling pathways taught as examples in this course is what I worked on. I loved this course. The Professors are fantastic and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this course for anyone who is very passionate about cancer biology.

By Andrew P

Feb 5, 2017

This course is awesome. As a current research technologist in this field, this course gives me great knowledge of cancer. I recommend anyone who is interested in this field. However, this course by itself won't give you everything. It is a course where you want to begin with if you want to begin a career of this field.