Understanding Prostate Cancer from Coursera

Welcome to Understanding Prostate Cancer. My name is Ken Pienta, Professor of Urology and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. I have been studying prostate cancer and treating patients with prostate cancer for over 25 years.

Over 1,000,000 men worldwide and 230,000 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Three hundred thousand men worldwide and 30,000 men in the US are dying from prostate cancer every year. As people live longer, the incidence of prostate cancer is rising worldwide and prostate cancer continues to be a major health problem. Thanks to years of dedication and commitment to research we’ve made enormous advances in the treatment of prostate cancer, But there is still a lot of work to be done. In this Understanding Prostate Cancer course, I will provide an introduction to the biology of prostate cancer as well as how it is identified and treated at various stages of the disease.

I've put together this course in order to introduce you to the essentials of prostate cancer.

By the time you finish this course you'll be able to

 Define risk factors for prostate cancer

 Understand current prostate cancer screening guidelines

 Understand prostate cancer staging

 Understand treatments for localized prostate cancer

 Understand treatments for advanced prostate cancer

 Understand treatments to alleviate the symptoms caused by prostate cancer

This Understanding Prostate Cancer Course should be helpful to anyone who wants to develop a deeper understanding of prostate cancer biology and treatment. It should be useful to students who are interested in a deeper understanding of the science of cancer. It should also be helpful to health care providers, data managers, and educators who wish to develop a better understanding of prostate cancer and how it affects individuals. The course is not designed for patients seeking treatment guidance. For those of you who might be thinking about a career in cancer research or patient care, I hope this course will inspire you to pursue that path! The course is divided into five modules organized to facilitate learning.

I'm glad that you decided to join this course. I hope that you will develop a basic understanding of prostate cancer. I hope that it will help you in whatever field you work. If you are a student, I hope that what you learn here will help you begin a career in cancer biology research and contribute to the worldwide effort to save lives.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Understanding Prostate Cancer

Biology, Incidence, and Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

in this module you will be able to learn about the biology, incidents, and risk factors of prostate cancer, as well as prostate cancer screening.

How Prostate Cancer is Found, Diagnosed, and Staged

In this module you will be able to examine how prostate cancer is found, diagnosed, and staged.

How Localized Prostate Cancer is Treated

In this module you will be able to learn how localized prostate cancer is treated and the side effects of treatment.

Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer

In this module, you will be able to learn how advanced prostate cancer is treated. This includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Other Treatments to Support the Health of Prostate Cancer Patients

In this module, you will learn supportive treatments for patients of prostate cancer.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces an overview of prostate cancer biology, identification, and treatment at various disease stages

Taught by an instructor with over 25 years of experience studying and treating prostate cancer

From Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, a renowned institution in medical research and education

Suitable for students interested in the science of cancer

Provides a deep dive into prostate cancer for healthcare providers and educators

May require additional research and background knowledge for patients seeking treatment guidance

Reviews summary

Prostate cancer fundamentals

Learners say that this course is well received, providing a largely positive learning experience. It is a foundational course for anyone wanting to increase their understanding of prostate cancer. The course material and lectures are very relevant, with clear and simple explanations. The course covers a lot of good, specific information, including biology, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The lectures are well produced and easy to understand, with a good pace for students with English as a second language. Overall, this course is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning about cancer and particularly prostate cancer.

The lectures are well paced and not too long.

"The lectures are just long enough for you to learn the materials and be able to take the quiz."

"I thought the pace of the course was perfect."

The course provides a lot of good, specific information on prostate cancer.

"It is a foundational course for anyone wanting to increase their understanding of prostate cancer."

"The course covers a lot of good, specific information."

"All of the information was presented exactly on the level I was looking for."

This course is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning about cancer and particularly prostate cancer.

"This course is highly recommended for medical students (and perhaps residents-in-training) who wish to have a structured understanding of prostate cancer."

"Really great overview of prostate cancer."

"Overall, this course is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning about cancer and particularly prostate cancer."

The lectures are engaging and easy to follow, with clear and simple explanations.

"The course material and lectures are very relevant."

"The lectures are well produced and easy to understand."

"The course covers a lot of good, specific information."

This course is well received and highly recommended for all levels of learners, especially those new to the topic.

"Learners say that this course is well received."

"It is a foundational course for anyone wanting to increase their understanding of prostate cancer."

"The lectures are well produced and easy to understand."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding Prostate Cancer with these activities:

Review biology basics

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Review fundamental concepts in biology to better understand the biology of prostate cancer.

Browse courses on Biology

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Review high school biology textbooks or online resources.
Attend a refresher course or workshop on biology.
Take a practice test or quiz to assess your understanding.

Review the basics of prostate cancer

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This activity will help you reacquaint yourself with basic concepts in prostate cancer, ensuring you have the necessary knowledge for the course.

Browse courses on Prostate Cancer

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Read the course syllabus and skim the course materials
Revisit previous course notes or textbooks on prostate cancer
Take a practice quiz on prostate cancer basics

National Cancer Institute: Understanding Prostate Cancer

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Review the National Cancer Institute's comprehensive guide to prostate cancer for a deeper understanding of its biology, diagnosis, and treatment options.

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Purchase or download the book.
Read through the chapters and take notes on important concepts.
Identify sections that align with specific modules in the course and focus on those.
Consider using online resources or study guides to supplement your reading.

Five other activities

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Join a study group or discussion forum

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Engage with peers to discuss concepts, ask questions, and reinforce understanding.

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Identify and join a study group or online discussion forum focused on prostate cancer.
Participate actively in discussions, ask questions, and share insights.
Collaborate with others to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Practice prostate cancer staging

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Practice staging prostate cancer using the TNM staging system to improve understanding and prepare for quizzes or exams.

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Find online or textbook resources on prostate cancer staging.
Complete practice questions or mock exams to test your knowledge.
Review your answers and identify areas for improvement.

Volunteer at a prostate cancer support organization

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Gain practical experience and interact with individuals affected by prostate cancer.

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Research local prostate cancer support organizations.
Identify opportunities to volunteer and provide assistance.
Participate in support groups, educational events, or fundraising activities.
Reflect on your experiences and how they contribute to your understanding of prostate cancer.

Attend a prostate cancer research conference or symposium

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Participate in conferences or symposia to stay up-to-date on the latest research and advancements in prostate cancer.

Browse courses on Cancer Biology

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Research upcoming prostate cancer conferences or symposia.
Identify events that align with your interests and learning goals.
Register and attend the conference, taking notes and engaging in discussions.
Follow up with speakers or researchers to expand your understanding.

Contribute to a prostate cancer research project

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Engage in open-source research to gain hands-on experience and contribute to the advancement of prostate cancer knowledge.

Browse courses on Cancer Biology

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Identify open-source prostate cancer research projects.
Join or contact the project team to understand their goals and needs.
Identify areas where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
Work collaboratively with the team to complete tasks and contribute to the project's success.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding Prostate Cancer will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Prostate Cancer Surgeon

Prostate Cancer Surgeons diagnose and treat prostate cancer. This course can help a Prostate Cancer Surgeon understand the biology of prostate cancer, which is essential knowledge for a surgeon who treats it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Prostate Cancer Surgeon

Prostate Cancer Researcher

Prostate Cancer Researchers study the causes and progression of prostate cancer. They develop new treatments and cures for the disease. Understanding Prostate Cancer can provide Prostate Cancer Researchers with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of prostate cancer.

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Oncologist

Oncologists diagnose and treat cancer. This course can provide Oncologists with valuable knowledge about prostate cancer and its treatment. This is especially useful for Oncologists specializing in prostate cancer.

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Urologist

Urologists diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. This course can help Urologists gain a deeper understanding of prostate cancer, which is a major health concern for men.

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Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapists use radiation therapy to treat cancer. Prostate cancer is often treated with radiation therapy. This course can help Radiation Therapists better understand prostate cancer and how radiation therapy can be used to treat it.

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Medical Physicist

Medical Physicists work with radiation therapy equipment and ensure that it is safe and effective. Prostate cancer is often treated with radiation therapy. This course can help Medical Physicists gain a better understanding of prostate cancer and how radiation therapy can be used to treat it.

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Cancer Biologist

Cancer Biologists study the biology of cancer and develop new treatments and cures for the disease. This course can help a Cancer Biologist build a foundation in the biology of prostate cancer.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators manage the business and financial aspects of healthcare organizations. This course can provide Healthcare Administrators specializing in oncology with a deeper understanding of prostate cancer and its treatment.

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Data Manager

Data Managers collect, manage, and analyze data. This course can provide Data Managers specializing in oncology and prostate cancer with a deeper understanding of the biology and treatment of prostate cancer.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course can help Health Educators gain a deeper understanding of prostate cancer and how to educate patients and the public about the disease.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense and manage medications. This course may be useful for Pharmacists who work with prostate cancer patients and need to understand the medications used to treat the disease.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients. This course may be useful for Nurses specializing in oncology who work with prostate cancer patients and need to understand the disease and its treatment.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers develop and write medical and scientific content. This course can provide Medical Writers specializing in oncology with a deeper understanding of prostate cancer and its treatment.

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Science Writer

Science Writers develop and write science content for a variety of audiences. This course can provide Science Writers specializing in health and medicine with a deeper understanding of prostate cancer and its treatment.

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Patient Advocate

Patient Advocates help patients navigate the healthcare system and get the care they need. This course may be useful for Patient Advocates specializing in oncology who work with prostate cancer patients.

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