Cancer Epidemiology

3.0 credits

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of the biology, burden, epidemiology, natural course, treatment and complications of malignancies in the United States and the etiologic factors associated with each of the most common cancers. The course will include discussion of patterns of cancer incidence, molecular, genetic and environmental aspects of etiologic factors, the pathophysiology of cancer, diagnosis and staging of cancer, and interventional approaches related to prevention, screening and treatment. Reinforcement of basic epidemiologic methods, concepts and skills using different cancers as examples will also be emphasized in the course. Didactic material will be presented on each topic and selected papers from the literature will be reviewed and discussed.