Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: FIGHTING THE DEADLIEST CANCER (MARTEL)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the world, taking more lives than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. Lung cancer is so fatal because ~50% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when only 6% of patients survive more than 5 years past their diagnosis. The most effective way to improve survival for patients with lung cancer is by diagnosing the cancer early through lung cancer screening. However, less than 6% of people at high-risk for lung cancer are currently getting screened in the U.S. In this course, students will learn about the current research around lung cancer and lung cancer screening in depth. We will discuss why lung cancer screening uptake is so low and devise strategies to improve lung cancer screening advocacy. We will hear from a lung cancer patient and thoracic surgeon. As part of the course, students will plan and organize a lung cancer awareness event and research a topic of interest within the lung cancer field. The main question we will try to answer throughout the course is: How can students engage in health activism around lung cancer? Background knowledge on lung cancer is welcome but not required by any means.