Trinity College Dublin to launch a new, free, online course “From Diagnosis to Survivorship: An introduction to Radiation Oncology”

DUBLIN, 30-Aug-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Trinity is launching a new, free, online course: “From Diagnosis to Survivorship: An introduction to Radiation Oncology,” from the discipline of Radiation Therapy.

Starting on the 3rd of September 2018, this new free online course is open to cancer patients, their family members and friends who are interested in learning more about radiation therapy as a treatment for cancer. Healthcare professionals outside of the field of radiation oncology are also very welcome to join this course.

Trinity academics in radiation therapy have come together with experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Cancer Organisation, the Irish Cancer Society and Targeting Cancer to demystify radiation therapy as a cancer treatment. The course explores radiation therapy as a cancer treatment through the experience of two patient advocates who tell their stories of radiation therapy as a treatment. The science underpinning radiation therapy as a treatment is discussed throughout the course.

Associate Professor Michelle Leech, School of Medicine explains:

“Radiation therapy is indicated in the management of between 50-60% of all cancers.  40% of all cancer cures have radiation therapy as part of their management, which is a phenomenal rate that most people are not aware of.  The aim of this course is to bring the potential of radiation therapy as a cancer management option into the public arena as well as providing clear information to patients and their families about what to expect if they are attending for radiation therapy”

At the end of this two-week course learners will be able to:

• Describe the role of radiation oncology in managing cancer
• Identify the radiation therapy patient pathway
• Recognise the roles of the health care professionals involved in radiation therapy
• Discuss the safe use of radiation therapy in cancer care
• Explain the basic science behind radiation therapy
• Describe state of the art radiation therapy, such as personalised medicine
• Discuss upcoming biological and technological developments in radiation therapy

Open to anyone, wherever you are in the world, now you can take part in a Trinity education from the comfort of your own home.

Register today on Futurelearn, the social learning platform, to access this free online course.

Contact Michelle Leech (LEECHM@tcd.ie) or Claire Poole (POOLEC@tcd.ie) for further information.

Media Contact:

Katie Byrne, Senior Executive Officer | katie.s.byrne@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4168