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Unit of study_

GMED5004: Cancer Genomics

2024 unit information

Advances in genomics are impacting on many aspects of the diagnosis and management of cancer. This unit provides understanding of molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, with particular reference to familial cancer conditions. It provides contemporary knowledge of familial cancer syndromes including their characteristic patterns of presentation, epidemiology, underlying causative genetic pathology and preventative management approaches. Case - based approaches will be used for the development of in-depth knowledge of familial breast, ovarian, bowel and endocrine malignancies. Other familial cancer syndromes explored will include the neurofibromatoses, and conditions such as Li-Fraumeni and Von Hippel Lindau syndromes. Review of other genetic conditions in which cancer risk is increased will be undertaken. Ethical issues in cancer genomics will be considered as well as advances in precision medicine applicable to familial cancer.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Genomic Medicine

Code GMED5004
Academic unit Genomic Medicine
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Investigate the molecular mechanisms of cancer, integrating cancer diagnostics, oncogenesis, and cancer management
  • LO2. Distinguish the key differences between germline and somatic cancer genetics, and the implications of this for genomic testing and management
  • LO3. Evaluate the role of genomics in cancer diagnostics and management, and how to order, interpret and explain cancer genomic testing in the clinical setting
  • LO4. Assess the complex counselling, ethical and legal aspects of cancer genomics, including the role of genetic counsellors, and the perspectives of patients and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • LO5. Categorise the key familial cancer syndromes and genes in a wide variety of clinical settings including breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, renal, haematological, endocrine, neurofibromatosis, and retinoblastoma
  • LO6. Assess how genomics is paving the way to precision medicine approaches in cancer and somatic testing, with genotype-specific therapies

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2021
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.