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The Royal Marsden School

Living With and Beyond Cancer

Cost

£1350

Delivery method

Fully On-line

Length of module

It runs over approximately 12 weeks

Estimated hours of study

200 hours

Academic credits and level

20 credits at level 6 or 7

Entry requirements

The learner will be a healthcare professional currently working with People Affected by Cancer (PABC).

Course availability

Apply now

Course summary

Macmillan Cancer Support (2021) estimates that almost 3 million people are living with cancer in the UK and predict this number will rise to nearly 3.5 million by 2025, and 4 million by 2030. This relates to increasing cancer incidence and developing treatments impacting Quality of Life (QoL) and survival. The NHS response to these dynamics needs to adapt and adjust to this changing landscape.


The NHS Long Term Plan for Cancer (2018) aims to respond to the acute and long-term impact of cancer by monitoring impacts and how well people are living after their diagnosis. This includes a wide range of concerns, such as people’s emotional or social wellbeing, finances, and ongoing physical problems, such as tiredness and pain.

This module will provide the opportunity to explore the impact of living with cancer on people affected by cancer (PABC) and to develop strategies to facilitate active participation in their own health care needs.   
This module aims to explore the challenges that living with cancer may have on an individual and those significant to them, and the most effective ways to support them.  

This module is in association with: Current UEA Logo 2023

Entry Requirements

Please view the Admissions Policy before applying.

Key topics

  • Socio-political background to management of long-term conditions
  • Models and frameworks for service delivery
  • Concepts of support, cancer rehabilitation, and survivorship 
  • Policy and practice related to self-management
  • Quality of life
  • Models of behaviour change
  • The emotional response to adjustment and living with cancer as a long-term condition
  • Health promotion considerations e.g. nutrition, smoking cessation, and physical activity

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module at Level 6 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

  • Critically discuss the impact that a diagnosis of cancer may have on an individual and their significant others
  • Critically explore the factors which influence successful transition and adjustment to living with cancer
  • Discuss the meaning of quality of life in relation to PABC
  • Examine the concept of support and its sources and examine the effectiveness of the multi-professional team in empowering educating and supporting PABC
  • Appraise the elements of effective self-management approaches PABC

On successful completion of the module at Level 7 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

  • Critically explore the changing perception of cancer in the light of substantially improved survival rates and debate the implications for practice
  • Critically explore the theoretical underpinning, evidence, and influences impacting the individuals’ ability to adjust to their experiences of cancer
  • Synthesise theoretical literature and research relevant to the quality of life and explore interventions for improving Quality of Life for PABC
  • Critically examine the concept of support and its sources and examine the effectiveness of the multi-professional team in empowering and supporting PABC
  • Evaluate how PABC are supported through their care transitions by the multi-professional team promoting self- empowerment and supporting self-management, proposing ways in which this might be enhanced with your client group

Dates

On-line live interactive sessions on: 10, 24 April, 1, 8 and 15 May 2025
Assessments: L6 Annotated Poster on 2 July 2025
L7 Annotated Poster with a Presentation (Oral Assessment) on either 2 or 3 July 2025
L7 Resubmission: 2 October 2025

Assessment

  • Level 6: Poster with annotations
  • Level 7: Poster with a 15-minute presentation

Student support

Tutorials with the module leader or personal tutor are available if students require additional help with the planning and writing of their assignments. Email and telephone support are also available from the module leader/personal tutor. 

The Royal Marsden School uses an online environment called Moodle which students must access during their studies to support and enhance our courses. The site provides resources and communication tools. All students will be provided with a username and password to access module specific sections as well as general learning support such as study skills and library resources. Students also have access to the David Adams Library and Electronic Resource Centre. 

To get the best from the live video-conferencing sessions and enable you to participate fully you should have access to a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone. If you have any concerns or need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Related pathways

This stand-alone module also forms part of these pathways