Cancer: The Patient Journey

Why should I take this Trinity Elective?

Cancer touches all of our lives in some way—whether through personal experience, a loved one, or a friend. In Ireland, cancer is the leading cause of death, with 1 in 3 people dying from a cancer-related illness. By 2020, 1 in 2 people will face cancer in their lifetime. Despite its prevalence, many of us lack a clear understanding of what cancer is, why it occurs, and how it’s treated.

This Trinity Elective takes you on a comprehensive journey through the world of cancer, addressing key questions like: Why are cancer rates increasing? How can you lower your risk? What happens during diagnosis and treatment? Why are there so many treatment options, and which is right for different cases? What is life like for cancer survivors, and how do they recover physically, mentally, and emotionally? If you’ve ever wondered about these questions and wanted to arm yourself with knowledge—the greatest weapon against cancer—this is the elective for you.

What will I learn?

• Explore the causes of cancer, including modifiable risk factors, and learn actionable steps to reduce your risk.
• Understand the journey from diagnosis to treatment, following a patient’s path from their first GP visit to hospital care.
• Discover why there are many different types of cancer treatments, the reasoning behind treatment choices, and the importance of clinical trials.
• Learn about survivorship: how life changes for survivors and the physical, emotional, and mental challenges they face on the road to recovery.

What will I do?

• Engage with online lectures and materials led by world-class cancer scientists and clinicians, taking you through the patient journey from prevention to survivorship (no prior knowledge required).
• Participate in dynamic, interactive post-lecture discussions to explore key issues around prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
• Examine the real-world challenges faced by healthcare professionals and researchers working in cancer care and research.

How will this be delivered?

• 12 hours of in-person lectures, including a 1-hour introductory session.
• 14 hours of online lectures accessible through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
• 1-hour face-to-face interactive seminar on assessment tasks and strategies.
• 1-hour face-to-face feedback seminar for open discussion and revision support.
• 72 hours of private study and revision.

How will this be assessed?

1. Group poster project (30%): Work in teams of 3–5 to create a poster addressing one of the four pillars of the patient journey: Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, or Survivorship. Peer assessment will be guided by structured marking criteria and collaborative online tools.
2. MCQ exam (20%): Test your understanding through a multiple-choice exam.
3. Final SAQ exam (50%): Answer short-answer questions to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge.

Reassessment:
If necessary, students can complete a 2,500-word essay related to their original poster topic, and retake the MCQ and SAQ exams.

Who can take this Trinity Elective?

This elective is open to all eligible students except those enrolled in the Human Health and Disease, Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry & Immunology, or Genetics & Microbiology programs.

Other Trinity Electives on Medicine and Health