The primary focus of this module is to present the scientific basis of prevention, early diagnosis, care and survivorship in breast, ovarian/fallopian tube, endometrial and cervical cancer. The module also examines how geographical and socioeconomic context influences the ability to deliver optimum care, and the impact of geographical, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors on outcomes in cancer. The module is delivered by experts in the field who outline the latest developments in cancer screening, management, psychological therapies, genetics, proteomics and epigenetic profiling, and immunological aspects of gynaecological cancers. The module also includes clinical observations/visits to the UCLH Macmillan Cancer Centre which underpin the Summative Assessment on the module.

After taking this module, you should have an overview of ovarian, breast, cervical and endometrial cancer with a focus on the patient’s pathway/experience and have explored the areas of unmet need and controversies in some key areas such as breast screening. Further, you will be able to:

Understand risk prediction and prevention strategies
	Describe screening approaches, highlighting the challenges inherent in established programmes.
	Critically appreciate the diagnostic tools in clinical use and novel technologies to aid earlier detection of women's cancers, with a focus on the biomarkers and imaging used in clinical practice. Recent advances in biomarker discovery are addressed through sessions on proteomics and epigenetics, and a practical session to outline how these technologies advance our knowledge in the early detection of women’s cancers in practice.
	Understand the treatment and care in women’s cancers and the appropriateness of different treatment modalities (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and novel (targeted) treatments.
	Discuss cancer survivorship and critically consider the role of voluntary sector organisations and patient support groups
	Understand end of life care for women with breast and reproductive cancers.
The module is mainly face-to-face classroom based learning involving lectures, student presentations, quizzes, seminars and discussions around required reading.

Introductory reading:

Mukherjee S. (2010) The emperor of all maladies: a biography of cancer 4th Estate, London.

Tobias JS, Hochhauser D. (2014) Cancer and its management. 7th Edition, John Wiley, Oxford.

Picardie R. (1998) Before I say goodbye. Penguin, London.