2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FOOD3340 Food and Cancer

10 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr James Thorne
Email: j.l.thorne@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Passes at 1st and 2nd year level in molecular and cell biological sciences.

This module is mutually exclusive with

FOOD5340M

Food and Cancer

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

If you have an interest in the link between Food and Cancer then this is an essential module. This module will explore the molecular and cell biology of cancer and the link between foods/dietary patterns and cancer. You will learn what cancer is and what the hallmarks of cancer are and explore the evidence behind cancer prevention recommendations. You will also learn how some dietary derived compounds are being used as bioactive nutraceuticals to prevent or ameliorate cancer. The module also covers cancer causing agents found in food, how they are classified and what measures are in place to limit exposure. We will also explore the role of the diet-immune interactions and obesity in cancer risk. At the societal level, you will learn about why reports linking food and cancer may vary, the variables that lead to apparently contradicting evidence, and explore media reporting of scientific data. Please note this module considers and discusses issues around cancer diagnosis and outcomes. Cancer affects around half of the UK population directly in their lifetime. Some content may be upsetting for those who have had close or recent experiences with this disease.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to explore and understand:
1. Cancer at the molecular and population level,
2. How food influences cancer risk and outcomes,
3. How relevant scientific evidence is collected, collated and assessed,
4. The evidence that underpins current public health advice and clinical practice in relation to food and cancer.

You will learn about the biology of cancer and how these processes are disrupted and enhanced by food. There are several large regulatory, advisory and analytical agencies that classify compounds in relation to cancer risk and make public health recommendations; you will learn about how these agencies make these decisions, the impact it has on cancer rates and survival and place these data in the context of mass media reporting and in the wider scientific community. At the end of this module, you will be confident to interpret a range of data types that have informed public policy on cancer prevention, and competent to discuss the links between food and cancer in an informative manner with your peers and the general public.

Learning outcomes
1. Develop knowledge and understanding of the biological mechanisms of cancer and how food can alter these
2. Understand how agencies, charities and/or government organisations evaluate evidence to provide advice on food and cancer to the general public.
3. Be able to evaluate health claims and advice for the general population, stratified groups, and for people living with and beyond cancer.

Syllabus

Cancer risk and incidence around the world, by gender, by race. Tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes; Cancer Hallmarks; Sterols, O3FAs, and Nutraceuticals; the role of cohort studies, cancer charities, and government agencies; the evidence underpinning current cancer prevent guidance; how nutrients, food contaminants, dietary patterns, and the immune system, promote or protect from cancer.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
In Course Assessment	3	1.00	3.00
Lecture	16	1.00	16.00
Tutorial	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			79.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Revision of lectures and exam preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In class MCQs at middle and end of module. Instant feedback. Opportunity to present/discuss relevant scientific literature in class. Discussion of a peer reviewed manuscript with Q&A on the student’s understanding.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework Assignment	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:14:15

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