MSc Molecular Pathology of Cancer / Course details

The Strategies for Early Detection unit offers a fundamental understanding of the pivotal role of early detection in transforming outcomes for cancer patients. It provides a comprehensive exploration of methodologies and technologies essential for effective cancer early detection and diagnosis. Participants will gain critical insights into establishing impactful screening initiatives, and explore emerging methodologies and technologies poised to redefine cancer early detection. The unit provides an overview of functional molecular imaging techniques and examines their multifaceted applications across the entire cancer early detection pathway. Participants will gain comprehensive insight into the significant advancements in these methods that together with machine learning and artificial intelligence applications unlock even greater diagnostic potential. Moreover, the unit provides a deep understanding of the multifaceted challenges hindering cancer early detection. It demonstrates how research in cancer early detection confronts these obstacles, delivering effective solutions, many of which have been realized in Manchester. The unit also offers critical insights into the importance of patient involvement, public awareness, and risk stratification—all crucial elements for ensuring the success of early detection strategies.

This unit will provide a fundamental understanding of the importance of early detection as a power tool to revolutionise cancer patient outcomes. You will learn about different approaches, benefits and methodologies for population screening programmes to detect precancerous change or early stage disease using case studies from Manchester. The Unit will cover insights into effective risk stratification as well as new and emerging technologies in digital medicine, Imaging tools and smart systems. Throughout the Unit there will be
critical insights into the importance of directed research, patient involvement, public awareness of risk and health data considerations, all of which are essential to ensure the success of early detection strategies.

Students' learning for the taught element of this course unit is 100% online (distance learning). There will be a combination of online materials provided that students must engage with, including podcasts, videos, lectures and interviews. Students will be able to complete diverse online tasks to monitor and evidence their achievement of the learning objectives. Students will also learn through engaging in directed and independent wider reading. Whilst the majority of this unit will be accessible in an asynchronous manner increasing the agility and flexibility of learning, there will be opportunities to interact with Unit leads and peers during synchronous teaching sessions. We will use online tools to facilitate peer-peer interaction and small group activities.

An important differentiating element of this course unit is the students' requirement to keep a reflective learning journal which will create their portfolio of knowledge enabling direct reference and integration into clinical or research practise. Students will make notes on their day-to-day experiences of key aspects learned within the unit. Through this, they will learn to be present in and conscious of their practice, which will inform their assessment and provide a practice-based context for their learning and assessment.

Students should/will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of early detection strategies
• Gain critical insights into appropriate methodologies and key considerations
• Appraise the effectiveness of cancer screening programmes at improving patient outcomes
• Identify where technology can improve current screening programmes

Students should/will be able to:

• Evidence reasoned argument to implement population screening using country-specific case studies
• Demonstrate efficient and effective problem solving strategies related to cancer early detection
• Analyse and evaluate molecular imaging techniques and their applications in cancer early detection
• Critically reflect on current practise to seek new approaches

Students should/will be able to:

• Plan and execute guided and independent research
• Audit current thinking in the development of early detection strategies
• Retrieve relevant, supplementary information from a variety of sources (library, electronic and online)
• Report findings in a concise and structured manner

Students should/will be able to:

• Present findings in a clear and concise way using appropriate media
• Constructively deliver feedback to peers
• Demonstrate independent thinking and evidence integration to formulate hypotheses
• Manage time and show evidence of scheduling tasks

Other = Online tests (MCQs): 30%

Feedback will be provided within the required timeframes.