Understanding Cancer: Biology, Risk Factors and Survivorship

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Understanding Cancer: Biology, Risk Factors and Survivorship

This course is part of Understanding Cancer: Biology, Stress, and Healthy Living Specialization

Instructor: Dr. Daniel C. Hughes, PhD

Included with Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Explain what cancer is, how it develops, and the biological characteristics shared by many cancers.
Describe cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship through science and survivor and caregiver perspectives.
Explore the history of cancer and its physical, emotional, and social impact on individuals and families.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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This course is part of the Understanding Cancer: Biology, Stress, and Healthy Living Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

Cancer is not a single disease; understanding it begins with learning how it develops, behaves, and affects people and families. In this beginner-friendly course, you will explore cancer biology, including the differences between normal and cancer cells, the characteristics shared by many cancers, and the role of cancer risk factors. You will also follow the cancer continuum, from prevention and screening through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Alongside the scientific content, you will hear perspectives from survivors and caregivers that highlight the physical, emotional, social, and practical realities of living with cancer. You will also discover how our understanding of cancer has evolved throughout history and how scientific research has shaped modern care. No medical or scientific background is required. This course is designed to help you gain a clearer understanding of cancer and engage in conversations about it with greater knowledge and confidence.

Welcome to "Cancer Takes A Toll And Does Not Obey The Rules", your foundation for making sense of a complex and often misunderstood disease. In this module, we explore what cancer is: not a single disease but a family of more than 100 conditions that disrupt the body’s normal cell processes. You’ll learn how normal cells differ from cancer cells, how tumors form, and how the body responds. With powerful visuals and real-world statistics, we'll walk you through essential terms such as incidence, mortality, survivorship, and relative risk. You’ll also gain insight into the emotional and physical journey of cancer survivors and how cancer affects not just the body but the quality of life. Whether new to the topic or brushing up on your knowledge, this module will give you the tools to engage with cancer more confidently and compassionately.

What's included

11 videos4 readings10 assignments2 discussion prompts

11 videosTotal 39 minutes

Meet Dr. Daniel C. Hughes3 minutes
Specialization Welcome2 minutes
Understanding Cancer with Dr. Danny & Loriana Hernández-Aldama6 minutes
Cancer Terminology I: Key Words for This Course3 minutes
Cancer Terminology II: Key Words for This Course4 minutes
Normal VS. Cancerous Cells4 minutes
Cancer Incidence and Mortality3 minutes
Cancer Rates by Gender2 minutes
Risk Factors7 minutes
Risk for Getting Cancer2 minutes
Summary: What is Cancer?2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Getting Started: Course Guidelines and Resources10 minutes
A Note to Our Learners10 minutes
Before You Begin: A Note from Dr. Danny10 minutes
🔑 Key Takeaways: A letter from Dr. Danny10 minutes

10 assignmentsTotal 160 minutes

Check Your Understanding: Module Assessment30 minutes
1.1 Check Your Understanding: Understanding Cancer10 minutes
1.2 Check Your Understanding: Cancer Terminology I10 minutes
1.3 Check Your Understanding: Cancer Terminology II10 minutes
1.4 Check Your Understanding: Normal vs Cancerous Cells10 minutes
1.5 Check Your Understanding: Cancer Incidence & Mortality10 minutes
1.6 Check Your Understanding: Cancer Rates by Gender10 minutes
1.7 Check Your Understanding: Risk Factors10 minutes
1.8 Check Your Understanding: Risk for Getting Cancer30 minutes
1.9 Check Your Understanding: What is Cancer?30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Welcome to Our Learning Community10 minutes
Discussion: Reflecting on Cancer Risk10 minutes

What's included

11 videos2 readings8 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 23 minutes

Commonalities in All Cancers: What All Cancers Have in Common4 minutes
Unlimited Growth and No Brakes1 minute
Avoiding Immune Destruction: How Cancer Cells Hide from the Immune System3 minutes
Enabling Replicative Immortality: How Cancer Cells Keep Dividing Without Stopping1 minute
Inflammation in The Micro- Environment: How Inflammation Can Help Cancer Grow3 minutes
Tissue Invasion and Metastasis: How Cancer Spreads Through the Body2 minutes
Inducing Angiogenesis: How Cancer Builds Its Own Blood Supply2 minutes
Genomic Instability: How DNA Damage Helps Cancer Change and Grow1 minute
Resisting Normal Cell Death : How Cancer Cells Refuse to Die2 minutes
De-regulating Cellular Energetics: How Cancer Cells Rewire Their Energy Supply1 minute
Hallmarks of Cancer: The Shared Features That Help Cancer Grow and Spread3 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Before You Begin: A Note from Dr. Danny10 minutes
🔑 Key Takeaways: Letter from Dr. Danny10 minutes

8 assignmentsTotal 80 minutes

2.1 Check Your Understanding: Commonalities10 minutes
2.2 Check Your Understanding: Proliferative Signaling & Evading Growth Suppressors10 minutes
2.3 Check Your Understanding: Avoiding Immune Destruction10 minutes
2.4 Check Your Understanding: Enabling Replicative Immortality10 minutes
2.5 Check Your Understanding: Inflammation in the Micro-Environment10 minutes
2.6 Check Your Understanding: Tissue Invasion and Metastasis10 minutes
2.7 Check Your Understanding: Inducing Angiogenesis10 minutes
2.11 Check Your Understanding: Hallmarks of Cancer10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Discussion: Reflecting on the Hallmarks of Cancer10 minutes

What's included

12 videos2 readings8 assignments1 discussion prompt

12 videosTotal 82 minutes

Cancer Continuum: Risk, Prevention, Detection, and Care9 minutes
Strategies for Cancer Testing3 minutes
Screening Guidelines5 minutes
Cancer Survivorship: Three Personal Journeys11 minutes
Classification Systems5 minutes
Cancer Treatments5 minutes
Cancer Treatment: Survivor Stories12 minutes
Understanding Cancer Survivorship4 minutes
Survivor Stories: Stephanie7 minutes
Survivor Stories: Doris10 minutes
Survivor Stories: Loriana9 minutes
Treatment Takes a Toll2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Before You Begin: A Note from Dr. Danny10 minutes
🔑 Key Takeaways: A Letter from Dr. Danny10 minutes

8 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Check Your Understanding: Module Assessment20 minutes
3.1 Check Your Understanding: Cancer Continuum10 minutes
3.2 Check Your Understanding: Strategies for Cancer Testing10 minutes
3.3 Check Your Understanding: Screening Guidelines10 minutes
3.4 Check Your Understanding: Classification Systems10 minutes
3.5 Check Your Understanding: Cancer Treatments10 minutes
3.6 Check Your Understanding: Understanding Cancer Survivorship10 minutes
3.7 Check Your Understanding: Treatment Takes a Toll10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Discussion: Reflecting on the Cancer Continuum10 minutes

What's included

2 videos2 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

2 videosTotal 13 minutes

The Cancer Chronology: The History of the Human Experience with Cancer7 minutes
The War Against Cancer up to the Signing of the 1791 National Cancer Act6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Before You Begin: A Note from Dr. Danny10 minutes
🔑 Key Takeaways: A letter from Dr. Danny10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Check Your Understanding: Module Assessment20 minutes
4.1 Check Your Understanding: Biography of Cancer10 minutes
4.2 Check Your Understanding: Biography of Cancer10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Discussion: Looking Back and Looking Forward10 minutes

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Instructor

Dr. Daniel C. Hughes, PhD

Rice University

3 Courses6 learners

Offered by

Rice University

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