Subject Description Form

Subject Code ABCT1D13

Subject Title Introduction to cancer – cause, treatment and prevention

Credit Value 3

Level 1

Pre-requisite / Nil
Co-requisite/
Exclusion

Objectives This subject aims to introduce some general concepts about the cause of
cancer, available treatment options and some general prevention measures.

Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:

Intended Learning 1. Understand the scientific basis of the cause of some common cancers in
Outcomes Hong Kong.
2. Appreciate the options available and limitations of current cancer treatment
and prevention methods.
3. Acquire an analytical and critical mind through a process of questioning
and problem solving.
4. Acquire an awareness of the challenges faced by individuals living with
cancer.

We will instil a scientific understanding of the cause of cancer to our students.

Although there is a lot of media coverage on cancer, some of them are not
scientifically sound or sometimes even containing wrong information. We will
explain the reasons why some common cancers are caused, for example by
viruses or family history.

We will introduce to our students the options available for cancer treatment
including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We hope to let our students
understand that, on one hand there are developments of new cancer treatment
methods but on the other, there are also many limitations.

We will explore different prevention methods for cancer. A correct lifestyle,

together with proper diagnostic tools should be beneficial to the students in the
long run.

INTRODUCTION TO CANCER: 2 Hrs

Subject Synopsis/ The nature of cancer
Indicative Syllabus
COMMON CANCERS IN HK:
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGY 6 Hrs
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Liver Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Breast Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Hematological Malignancies
 FUNDEMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CANCER: 4 Hrs
Brief introduction of cancer biology and cancer genetics

TUMOUR VIRUSES 4 Hrs

Introduction to virus
Tumour viruses and oncogenes
Tumour viruses and tumour suppressor genes

CANCER & POLYMORPHISM 2 Hrs

BASIC CONCEPTS OF ANGIOGENESIS, INVASION & METASTAIS 2 Hrs

COMMON DIAGNOSTIC METHODS 3 Hrs

Common practice of diagnostic methods
Blood, Urine, Pap Tests, Biopsies
Cytogenetics and Molecular tests

CANCER TREATMENTS 4 Hrs

Common treatment modalities
Radiotherapy
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Side effects of traditional chemotherapy

TARGETED THERAPIES 4 Hrs

What is targeted therapy?
Small molecules and monoclonal antibodies
Progress and future

CANCER PATIENTS & THEIR CHALLENGES

Awareness of the challenges faced by individuals living with cancer 2 Hrs

Lectures
Teaching/Learning Lectures will be used to cover some of the background biological knowledge
Methodology including basic knowledge of life, cells, proteins and DNA. These come in
background knowledge is needed for understanding the causes of cancer. The
main part of this subject will be used to cover different examples of cancers
commonly found in Hong Kong including liver, breast, lung, colon and others.
We expect to invite some outside lecturers like medical doctors (to cover some
clinical issues).

Tutorials
Exercises will be provided before or during tutorials. We expect the students to
participate in the discussions during tutorials. We will deliver the materials
prior to the tutorials in order to encourage students to participate more actively
during the tutorials. We will also ask students to present some of the assigned
readings during tutorials.
Assessment Methods
in Alignment with Specific assessment % Intended subject learning outcomes to
Intended Learning methods/tasks weighting be assessed (Please tick as
appropriate)
Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1. Quiz 40%



2. Poster presentation 20%


3. Written assignment 40%

Quiz

End-of-term quiz will cover all topics in the subject.

Group poster presentations

Students will be asked to present a topic of their choice to the whole class. The
purpose is to allow more in-depth studies of sub-topics related to cancer in
general.

Written assignment
Students will form a group and write an 8-10 pages essay related to their group
presentation.

Student Study Class contact:

Effort Expected  Lecture 33 h
 Tutorial 6h
Other student study effort:
 Self study 70 h
Total student study effort 109h
1. Lecture notes and support materials will be provided.
Reading List and 2. Recommended textbook:
References 1) The Biology of Cancer by Robert Weinberg. Garland Science, Taylor
& Francis Group, New York, N.Y. ISBN 0-8153-4076-1

2) It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance

Armstrong. ISBN 0-4251-796-3

3) Textbook of Cancer epidemiology by Hans Adami. ISBN:

9780195311174

4) Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy by Andrew Ko. ISBN: 978-

0740768576