Introduction to Breast Cancer

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/breast-cancer-causes-prevention

Introduction

**Course Review: Introduction to Breast Cancer** In an era where awareness and understanding of medical conditions have never been more critical, Coursera brings you an insightful and comprehensive course titled **“Introduction to Breast Cancer.”** This course is a must for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge about one of the most prevalent health issues affecting women around the globe. ### Overview The **“Introduction to Breast Cancer”** course provides an engaging platform to explore various facets of breast cancer, which is recognized as the leading cause of cancer among women worldwide. The curriculum spans a wide array of topics, from the basic biology of breast cancer to prevention strategies, cutting-edge treatment modalities, and the journey of survivorship. By featuring interviews and discussions with leading experts in the field and giving students a chance to engage with each other on discussion boards and social media, this course fosters a sense of community while providing essential information. ### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Welcome to the Course!** - The introductory module sets the stage by detailing what learners can expect from the course, emphasizing the collaborative nature of learning. 2. **Risks and Prevention** - This section delves into the epidemiology of breast cancer, exploring genetic mutations and risk factors beyond just the well-known BRCA genes. By understanding these risks, prevention strategies can be better formulated. 3. **Under the Microscope** - A deep dive into the pathology of breast cancer is covered here. Learners will become familiar with crucial terminologies and concepts such as in situ versus invasive cancers, molecular subtypes, and the hallmarks of cancer. 4. **Making the Diagnosis** - Early diagnosis significantly impacts treatment outcomes. This module educates students on diagnostic procedures, staging techniques, and the vital role of biopsies in confirming breast cancer. 5. **All About Surgery** - Surgery is often a cornerstone of breast cancer treatment. Participants will learn about different surgical approaches including lumpectomy, mastectomy, and post-surgical reconstruction options, along with practical information on lymph node removal and prevention of lymphedema. 6. **Beyond the Knife** - This segment explores essential treatment modalities beyond surgery, including radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapies. Understanding these options can empower patients and their families during treatment discussions. 7. **Potpourri** - The final module addresses the diversity of breast cancer types (e.g., inflammatory breast cancer, male breast cancer) and discusses the importance of clinical trials in advancing treatment and care. It also covers survivorship issues as survivors transition to a “new normal” post-treatment. ### Conclusion and Recommendation Overall, **“Introduction to Breast Cancer”** offers comprehensive and user-friendly content that is ideal for a diverse audience, including medical students, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and anyone interested in the subject. The course balances depth of information with accessibility, making it an excellent resource for enhancing both personal knowledge and professional expertise. Moreover, the interactive elements such as forums and opportunities for personalized questions enhance the learning experience, allowing for both peer engagement and expert insights. For those seeking to understand the complexities of breast cancer, not just from a clinical perspective but within the context of real-world implications and the patient experience, this Coursera course comes highly recommended. Enroll today and take the first step towards becoming more informed and empowered in the battle against breast cancer!

Syllabus

Welcome to the Course!

Join me as we start to learn about what breast cancer is, the epidemiology of this disease and the risks associated with it. In these lectures, we’ll talk about genetic mutations that predispose us to developing breast cancer. As you’ll find out, this goes far beyond just BRCA!

What is cancer and how does it work? Want to learn the fundamentals of what breast cancer is? The different “types” – what is in situ vs. invasive? What is lobular vs. ductal? What is grade vs. stage? And what do molecular subtypes refer to? Well, tune in! Learn about the hallmarks of cancer – what are the processes that actually lead to this disease? Maybe this will give you some ideas about how we can stop cancers in their tracks!

Want to learn more about how to find breast cancers early, when they’re most treatable? This is the lecture for you! “Tissue is the issue” – learn how we actually do the biopsies to make the diagnosis of breast cancer. How do we stage breast cancer? Learn what tests we need to do and in whom in order to get this information!

How do we actually remove breast cancer? Is a lumpectomy just as good as a mastectomy? Find out in this session. There are many different options for reconstructing a breast after a mastectomy – from tissue expanders and implants, to using your own tissue. In this talk, we’ll explore some of these options. Why do we take out lymph nodes, and how? What are the side effects? Learn more about this in this session! Do you have questions about lymphedema? How do you prevent it? Can/should you lift weights after a lymph node dissection? Should you wear a sleeve if you are going on a plane? What about shaving, hand surgery, and having an iv placed? We’ll answer all of these questions in this session.

Learn all about radiation therapy – who needs it, when, what are the different types, and how do we minimize side effects. Who needs chemotherapy? What about hormonal therapy? What is targeted therapy? We’ll learn all about the drugs we use to treat breast cancer in this session.

Not all breast cancers are the same. Let’s learn a bit more about inflammatory breast cancer, Paget’s disease, Male breast cancer, breast cancer in pregnancy and metastatic disease. Let’s talk all about clinical trials – what they are, how they are monitored, and some of the trials that have really moved the field forward. So, you or your patients have gotten through diagnosis and active treatment, and you’re now in the survivorship period. Great! But this poses a whole new set of issues as people adjust to their “new normal”. Learn about what these issues are, and a bit about survivorship care plans as well.