BREAST CANCER SURGICAL

This module aims to teach fundamental methods of treatment of breast cancer. Treatment methods for breast cancer can be lumped in two major categories; local or systemic. Local treatments are used to destroy or control the cancer cells in a specific area of the body. Surgery and radiation therapy are considered local treatments. Systemic treatments are used to destroy or control cancer cells anywhere in the body. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are considered systemic treatments.

Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer. Although there are many different types of breast cancer surgery, they all fit into a few basic categories. An operation that aims to remove most or all of the breast is called a mastectomy. If at all possible, doctors shy away from mastectomies due to the side effects which include loss of strength in the closest arm, swelling of the arm, and limitation of shoulder movement. 

The assessment format is a reflective essay, which will be submitted and marked online, and which can also be utilized as evidence towards their  professional portfolio.

In this module,  student, surgeons and senior consultants will take part fully on online, tutor-mediated discussions, centered around realistic cases, within the  VLE. This innovative  module course is based on advanced clinical modules, covering all areas of aesthetic breast surgery,  focusing on leadership and research skills. The course is designed to complement a day-to-day clinical practice, so each session is delivered asynchronously, meaning that one does not need to log-on at set times.

This module will attract everyone   to actively contribute to the online forum discussions, focus on clinical discussions of cases. The module comprises of several topics spanning  from the knowledge base in the specialist area, bringing with it new expertise and insights, which will prove directly applicable to one’s own clinical practice. As such, this module will provide a space  forum discussion  which will be fueled by  shared reading, personal experiences and tutor guidance. This will then form the basis for further learning.

This online learning module will have a provisional space  for a  continual formative assessments of one’s surgical knowledge, critical thinking and decision-making. This module will be  ideal for senior breast and plastic surgery trainees, students, surgeons as well as practicing consultants with an aesthetic breast practice.

The special skills that will be learnt from this module will be broadly on the  types of breast cancer surgery conducted upon women who have been diagnosed with the same disease. Particular attention or methods will solely be on the Mastectomy Cancer Surgery, which aims at  removing the entire breast during the conduction of surgery or operations. The following skills will be enhanced and developed as outlined:

BREAST CANCER MASTECTOMY SURGERY: 

1.  Total (or simple) mastectomy: The removal of the entire breast, including the nipple, areola and most of the overlying skin.
2. Modified radical mastectomy: The removal of the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, overlaying skin and the thin layer of fascia over the chest muscle. It also includes removal of some of the lymph nodes under the arm. 
3. Radical mastectomy: The extensive removal of the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, overlaying skin, the lymph nodes under the arm and the chest muscle.
4. Skin-sparing mastectomy: The removal of the entire breast, including the nipple and areola; only the overlaying skin is preserved.
5. Skin-nipple-areolar-sparing mastectomy: This is a modification of the skin-sparing mastectomy, in which the entire breast is removed, but the skin, nipple and areola are preserved. 

This course module will attract students, mothers suffering from breast cancers,  trainees and senior consultants seeking to acquire or surgical skills, knowledge and credentials in an ever-more competitive and global arena. It  is set at the level required of a first year UK consultant in aesthetic breast surgery. Students and Teachers will be  able to apply the knowledge and skills that will be acquired through this course module design and progressively interrelate the working cases. The course module  provides a platform for critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are the key skills for consultants in specialist medicine.

All teachings will take place online, using range of teaching techniques, including peer-group (PBL) discussion and specialist formative testing.

The e-tutorials are all highly advanced  because they have been compiled and researched by experienced senior clinicians  internationally. This will enable readers to be able to maximise their exposure to global discussions and comparisons of the best practices.

Readers  will be able to complete the course in parallel with their clinical duties in breast or plastic surgery without facing difficulties because of its simplicity in nature. Space for background reading will be allocated  with access to the UEA online to facilitate the evidence-based learning.

The team consists of the following experts:

1. Counsel Peter Kachama - Lawyer (Expert in the field of Medical Law, Ethics and Psychology)

2. Dr. Chester Kakupa - Medical Doctor in Clinical Medicine and Surgery

3. Dr. Hantobolo Alvin - Medical Doctor in Surgery and Oncologoy

4. Mr. Trust Muchumaeli - Computer Designer and Programmer

5. Miss. Edah Sitali - Stenographer (Computer Designer)

6. Eng. Mukupa Musonda -  Computer Software Engineer Applications

The team is looking for the following experts in:

ICT and Oncologists, Clinicians, Software Developers and Engineers