Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Mythbusting from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in the topic and aims to help with both personal and professional conversations about cancer and health. The course is particularly relevant for those working or volunteering in the following areas: health advocacy, care and support work, community health centres and services, GP surgeries, mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, oncology, osteopathy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dentistry, public health, radiotherapy, sexual health, social work, or any other healthcare. The course does not require any previous experience of this subject. You can use the hashtag #FLTalkingCancer to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Key facts and health messages about cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis, and how to explain them.
Confidence for having conversations about cancer that help others take positive action.
Identification of barriers to making lifestyle changes or seeing a doctor.
Communication methods that overcome barriers and avoid building defensiveness and fear.
Methods of questioning that help people make decisions for themselves.
Identifying how our own feelings can affect conversations.
Directing people to the right places for advice and support.
Creating an action plan for talking about cancer.

Reviews summary

Cancer communication: clear & empowering

According to learners, this course is a highly valuable resource for anyone looking to understand and discuss cancer with confidence and compassion. Students consistently highlight the clarity and factual accuracy of its content, especially the sections on early detection and myth-busting. The course is praised for its focus on practical communication strategies, helping individuals navigate difficult conversations. While it provides a solid foundation for the general public and new professionals, some learners with existing health backgrounds found certain basic concepts repetitive, indicating a limited depth for advanced learners. Overall, it's considered well-structured and concise, empowering students to take positive action and direct others to reliable resources.

Successfully clarifies common misconceptions about cancer.

"The 'mythbusting' section was very enlightening and helped me separate facts from hearsay."

"It covers risk reduction, early signs, and dispels many common myths."

"The 'mythbusting' was interesting, but the main emphasis is on prevention and early detection conversations."

Serves as an excellent primer or knowledge refresher.

"It's a good overview. The course covers important aspects of cancer awareness and communication."

"The basic information on prevention was familiar to me, but the segments on navigating conversations were exceptionally useful."

"Still, a good primer for the general public, reinforcing crucial health messages."

Valuable for both the general public and healthcare professionals.

"Highly recommended for anyone! As a nurse, I found this course invaluable for refining my communication skills."

"It strikes a good balance for a broad audience. Absolutely crucial learning for every individual."

"I think it's perfect for someone with no prior medical knowledge, but also provides a framework for sensitive discussions."

Delivers accurate, digestible cancer facts from a trusted source.

"It tackles a sensitive subject with incredible clarity and compassion. The content on early detection and risk reduction is accurate."

"I feel so much more empowered after taking this course. It breaks down complex medical information into digestible chunks."

"Excellent course that provides invaluable tools. It covers risk reduction, early signs, and dispels many common myths concisely."

Equips learners to discuss cancer with empathy and confidence.

"I particularly found the communication strategies invaluable, giving me the confidence to talk to my family about prevention."

"This course provided practical, empathetic approaches that I can immediately apply in my daily practice as a nurse."

"It teaches you not just about cancer, but about sensitive communication in general. The focus on listening and avoiding defensiveness is key."

May be too basic for those with extensive healthcare knowledge.

"As someone with a public health background, much of the general cancer information felt like a review."

"I was hoping for more advanced techniques for specific patient populations or crisis communication."

"My only minor suggestion would be for more interactive exercises to practice the communication techniques (for advanced learners)."

Career center

Learners who complete Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Mythbusting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: