Master of Philosophy in Cancer Science

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is

• To develop capacity designed to target the gaps that exist in cancer research and for on-going sustainable cancer research programmes.
• To ensure a high level of knowledge in the field of Cancer Science via high level of analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.
• To prepare learners who aspire to move to a higher level of academic research work for Doctoral Studies and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.
• To contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure advancement in the field of Cancer Science and to make provision for the country's needs in a skilled scientific workforce of the highest calibre.
• To prepare learners who can apply their skills to the task of answering the relevant questions and meeting the critical needs of the country and the continent.
• To educate and train individuals who are able independently to perform cancer research and who can contribute to the development of knowledge in this field of study at an advanced level.
• To undertake research aimed at answering clear and concise research questions pertaining to the discipline.

The purpose and outcomes of the qualification would be reached by means of the curriculum, as candidates are supervised, guided and assisted by appropriately qualified individuals and they are required to perform a research project at the appropriate level.

Rationale

Cancer has been identified as one of the primary non-communicable diseases due to its high mortality rate (along with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory diseases). It is the leading cause of mortality in many parts of the world and the cases expected to increase globally from 12.7 million to 22.2 million by 2030. In Africa, cancer is emerging as a major public health problem with about 715,000 new cancer cases and 542,000 cancer deaths having occurred in 2008 with expected increases to about 1.28 million new cancer cases and 970,000 cancer deaths by 2030. In South Africa, cancer is the sixth largest cause of mortality. These statistics point towards a major epidemic and requires a coordinated response in key areas with human capacity designed to target the gaps that exist in research and for building capacity for on-going sustainable cancer research programmes.

Our understanding of cancer has increased significantly over the past decades with the discovery of the major principles which govern the emergence and the diversity of malignancies, yet cancer science is under-represented in academic curricular.

The Master of Philosophy in Cancer Science is a qualification that will offer postgraduate training to all cadres of health personnel including those with a social and/or basic science background in South Africa and from other African Countries and who wish to broaden their understanding into the complexities around cancer and pursue cancer or cancer-related research. The qualification is intended to deliver theoretical and practical insights needed to address the increasing incidence of cancer and provide a pipeline for postgraduate learners who wish to enter into a cancer research career with a view to impacting on the disease incidence and mortality. The hallmarks of cancer are extremely complex and given the depth of research that is required, this qualification will mould skills set designed to advance current knowledge on this disease and tackle key problem areas through research. There is a shortage of basic and clinical research endeavours in the field as well as the lack of training to understand the fundamentals of cancer biology, research methods and comprehensive approaches to addressing the burden of cancer. Hence meeting these challenges is not simply a matter of providing appropriate equipment and more staff but rather sufficiently trained and knowledgeable staff with clinical and research experience.

The qualification will build on a current set of modules such as Biostatistics and Research Methods that currently exist within a Master's framework with the addition of new modules to build on the skills base that is required to advance cancer research and pierce into the much needed innovation chasm. This qualification is unique and aims to address cancer through a multipronged approach providing the necessary skills to advance one's understanding of the disease.

The institution launched the African Cancer Institute as a strategic initiative for consolidating its cancer and cancer-related research activities with a view to developing a critical mass of scientists, clinicians, postgraduate learners and Fellows so as to mobilise the cancer research agenda for South Africa and the region at large. The Institute aims to be a leader in the field ensuring that cancer research activities are focused, innovative, relevant, and create a huge value add thus enabling a platform for policy-driven outcomes. The introduction of the MPhil in Cancer Science qualification will ensure that an appropriate cadre of cancer researchers emerge to conduct research and to provide a gateway to undertake Doctoral studies in this field. As a result of the African agenda, postgraduate learners from Africa will also be encouraged to register for the Degree and undertake their research in their own home country, thus increasing the ACI's visibility in the continent.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) policy in place and is available as well as the ARPL policy of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The policy defines the process that must be followed in the assessment of an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at postgraduate level and provides information pertaining to assessment tools that can be used in the assessment of RPL applications. The ARPL process is subjected to the Faculty's quality assurance process. Unsuccessful applicants may appeal according to the relevant appeal procedures.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) or equivalent Degree.

Or

• A four-year professional Bachelor's Degree in a health-related discipline at NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Medical Sciences at NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

• Molecular basis of cancer and Tumour Physiology, 12 Credits.
• Nutrition and Cancer, 12 Credits.
• Cancer Epidemiology, 12 Credits.
• Public Health and the Environment, 12 Credits.
• Infections and Cancer, 12 Credits.
• Biostatistics, 24 Credits.
• Principles of Cancer Therapy, 12 Credits.
• Research proposal writing and grantsmanship, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 12 Credits.
• Research Assignment, 60 Credits.

1. Develop capacity designed to target the gaps that exist in cancer research and for on-going sustainable cancer research programmes.
2. Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in the field of Cancer Science via high level of analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.
3. Prepare learners who aspire to move to a higher level of academic research work for Doctoral Studies and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.
4. Contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure advancement in the field of Cancer Science and to make provision for the country's needs in a skilled scientific workforce of the highest calibre.
5. Prepare learners who can apply their skills to the task of answering the relevant questions and meeting the critical needs of the country and the continent.
6. Educate and train individuals who are able to independently perform cancer research and who can contribute to the development of knowledge in this field of study at an advanced level.
7. Undertake research aimed at answering clear and concise research questions pertaining to the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Genetic basis of cancer and the signalling pathways where mutations frequently occur are described.
• Tumour cell metabolism and the Warburg effect and the role of the tumour microenvironment in altered tumour metabolism are described.
• Angiogenesis and its role in tumour progression are discussed.
• Tumour biomarkers and the biological basis for their expression in tumours are explained.
• The histology and physiological conditions existing in the tumour microenvironment are described.
• How the response to chemotherapy may be adversely affected by the tumour microenvironment is explained.
• The role of tubulins in tumour cell proliferation is explained.
• Tumour resistance and how it can be overcome pharmacologically is explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The role and significance of nutrition in the prevention and management of cancer is appraised.
• The importance of nutrition risk screening and assessment of the patient with cancer are explained and appreciated.
• The nutritional effects/implications of cancer and cancer therapies are critically appraised and described.
• Evidence-based nutritional approaches and strategies to support the cancer patient are proposed.
• The ethical, legal and nutritional considerations for feeding the cancer patient in a palliative setting are debated.
• Concepts in the field of nutritional epidemiology and the complex relationships between diet and risk of cancer are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The key concepts fundamental to the discipline of cancer epidemiology and how to frame research questions are explained.
• The various cancers according to the International Classification of Disease - Oncology are assessed.
• The strengths and limitations of the various study designs are understood and the implications of the limitations of each method on study results are explained.
• Data analysis methods and interpretation issues taking into account issues of confounding are explained.
• The role of cancer surveillance for research and monitoring of disease trends; and different data sources are explained.
• Cancer epidemiological studies using various exposure assessment methods are synthesised, designed, planned and conducted.
• Data from cancer epidemiological studies is interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The various components of a public health system are explained.
• The concepts of public health to assess effectiveness of health systems, interventions, programmes and services aimed at improving population health and cancer outcomes are applied.
• The key elements to consider in the development of National Cancer Control Programmes and the development of cancer control plans relevant to their own settings are described.
• The impact of a cancer diagnosis on physical, psychosocial and occupational functioning and quality of life are explained.
• Cancer Prevention Programmes identifying critical areas for effective surveillance and monitoring are planned and evaluated.
• The key features of Health Promotion and Advocacy are explained and effective health promotion programmes are developed.
• The fundamental concepts between Health and Policy and develop convincing arguments for effective integration into current health systems are explained.
• The role of health economics in health services planning and administration explained and the elements of an effective policy for sustainable health services are provided.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The role of the immune system in preventing cancer and identify and explain key pathways for intervention purposes explained.
• The factors responsible for tumour escape mechanisms and immune-mediated tumour enhancement are identified and explained.
• The different types of viruses and bacteria implicated in human malignancy providing critical appraisals of the literature are reviewed.
• The role of genetics and gene-environment interactions on cancer risk and provide plausible solutions for effective interventions are explained.
• The diversity of molecular methods and biomarkers in risk assessment and discuss how it could be applied in various settings for research and diagnostic purposes are appraised.
• The roles of vaccination, screening and surveillance of at-risk populations and discuss ways to improve these aspects for cancer control citing appropriate literature are explained.
• Strategies and methodological approaches for investigating infection-related malignancies are designed and implemented.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The basic principles of probability and sample spaces are explained.
• The common distributions using graphs and numerical descriptors are describe.
• The basic methods of point estimation is explained.
• Statistical software to present and analyse data is used.
• Estimators, construct confidence intervals, and perform hypothesis tests in the context of a single population sample are evaluated.
• Appropriate statistical methods in the analysis of simple datasets and apply these methods by computer using a statistical package are selected and used.
• Findings based on statistical analysis in clear, concise and understandable manner presented.
• Output from statistical analyses carried out by computer, in relation to research and other questions being asked and interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• A research question is formulated.
• The most appropriate methodology on how to address the research question(s) is decided.
• All relevant information, including research and review articles, textbooks and guidelines are found by accessing internet databases and employing appropriate search strategies.
• Relevant literature is critically evaluated.
• An appropriate literature review is written.
• A research protocol is formulated and written.
• The study, analysis and interpretation of the data are conducted.
• Logical, evidence-based conclusions from the data are drawn.
• The results of the research in an acceptable scientific format are presented and defended.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment will be in alignment with the assessment of other subspecialty Master of Philosophy (MPhil) qualifications at the institution and also adhere to the overall assessment policy. The bulk of assessment and examination will be facilitated by local experts in the university and across the teaching platform. In cases where specific expertise is required, international collaborators will be utilised.