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This flipped case study begins with a video in which a student reveals a family member's diagnosis with breast cancer and then considers the whirlwind of questions that arise in such a situation. Students are asked to relate to the main character and identify what questions they would have and what resources they could consult to seek information.  This sets the context for students to use websites and videos to investigate the nature of cancer, its causes, and progression. Students then learn about the major methods of cancer treatment (surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy), how they work, and the limitations and side effects of each. The case concludes by addressing the claim of one of the characters that there is a conspiracy to hide a cure for cancer. The case would be implemented near the middle of a high school, non-majors, or introductory biology course after discussion of basic cell biology and the cell cycle.

This 8-minute video is derived from the 2013 Holiday Lectures on Science. In it, Dr. Charles Sawyers explains the difference between proto-oncogenes, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes, and how mutations in these genes drive cancer development. "Cancer genes" can affect several cellular processes that he groups into three categories: cell growth and survival (i.e., genes involved in the cell cycle, cell fate (i.e., genes involved in cell differentiation), and genome maintenance (i.e, genes involved in DNA repair.)

TED-Ed with supporting lesson materials through cpalms.org resource site.  Text links include cell cycle, immune system response to cancer, and Laron's syndrome dwarfism which has low incidences of cancer and diabetes.

In this activity, we will work with the two groups of genes that control the cell cycle, proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. We will also add a new group of genes that are in charge of the maintenance of our DNA, the DNA repair system.

Extensive lessons from hands on inquiry lab at University of Rochester, developed/written with research funds.

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