Principles of Oncology Course for Non-Oncologist Professionals

The increasing incidence of cancer worldwide and in Peru has led to a significant rise in demand for specialized medical care. Healthcare institutions, both public and private, require physicians trained to identify, manage, and appropriately refer patients with cancer. However, many non-oncologist professionals face challenges when addressing cancer cases due to limited training in basic oncology principles.

This training gap negatively impacts early diagnosis, appropriate case management, and ultimately, patient outcomes. In this context, it is crucial to implement training programs that equip healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to recognize signs and symptoms, interpret essential diagnostic tests, and collaborate effectively with oncology specialists.

In response to this need, the Postgraduate and Continuing Education Unit of the Faculty of Human Medicine at the University of Piura has developed the Extension Course: Principles of Oncology for Non-Oncologist Professionals. This program is designed for general practitioners, residents in non-oncology specialties, and other healthcare professionals interested in acquiring or strengthening fundamental knowledge in oncology, thereby contributing to improving the quality of care provided to patients.

Upon completion of the training process for the Extension Course: Principles of Oncology for Non-Oncologist Professionals, graduates are expected to develop the following competencies:

• Understand the fundamentals of Medical Oncology and the main types of tumors, covering the essential concepts that govern development, diagnosis, staging and available therapeutic alternatives.
• Adopt a multidisciplinary approach to the care of cancer patients, fostering collaboration between different specialties for the comprehensive management of the patient.
• To assess the relevance of molecular characterization of tumors, highlighting its fundamental role in precision medicine to optimize therapeutic strategies in Oncology.
• Recognizing the importance of cancer prevention and early detection, identifying key strategies to reduce incidence, facilitate timely diagnosis, and improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients.

Aimed at general practitioners, residents or specialists interested in oncology.