Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Mythbusting
1 in 2 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. At Cancer Research UK we want to get people talking about cancer and health.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
1 hour
Talking About Cancer: Reducing Risk, Early Detection and Mythbusting
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Gain the tips, tools and confidence to have conversations that could save lives
Talking about cancer can be tough. You might be worried that you’ll say the wrong thing or that you simply don’t know enough about the subject.
This course draws on the knowledge of Cancer Research UK experts. Learning is through quizzes, articles, discussion and videos demonstrating conversational dos and don’ts.
Over the course of 3 weeks you will find out how to encourage people to make healthy lifestyle changes, access local services or visit their doctor promptly if they notice changes to their body.
What topics will you cover?
- 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.
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Summarise simple, reliable facts about cancer, prevention, early diagnosis and screening
- Engage those around you in effective conversations about cancer
- Reflect on how your own feelings about cancer may affect your conversations
- Identify appropriate sources of support and information, and signpost people to them
- Assess the barriers that can prevent people from changing their lifestyle or visiting the doctor, and engage them in a way that encourages them to take action
- Develop a plan of action for talking about cancer
Who is the course for?
The course is particularly relevant for those working or volunteering in the following areas: advocacy, care and support work, community health centres and services, dentistry, GP surgeries, mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, oncology, osteopathy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, public health, radiotherapy, sexual health, social work, or any other health and social care.
However, it is suitable for anyone with an interest in the topic, and may help with both personal and professional conversations about cancer and health.
The course does not require any previous experience of this subject.
What do people say about this course?
"It was relayed well with thought-provoking videos and gave sound advice on overcoming barriers to communication…very useful course giving me a chance to reflect on my role within the workplace"
"The course has surpassed my expectations not only for the valuable information related to cancer and awareness, also to the transferable ideas and tools provided…I feel much more confident in talking about cancer with others"
Who will you learn with?
Gill has been a nurse for 30 years, with a variety of experience in the cancer field. Gill joined Cancer Research UK in 2009, and is now one of the Lead Cancer Awareness Trainers at the charity.
Gwen trained as a nurse, working in a variety of settings with cancer patients before joining Cancer Research UK in 1998 on the Nurse Helpline. Gwen works as a Lead Cancer Awareness Trainer.
Who developed the course?
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) are the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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