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. 2019 Aug 15;79(16):4011-4014.
doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-19-0603. Epub 2019 Jul 31.

Connecting Students with Patients and Survivors to Enhance Cancer Research Training

Robert N Riter  1 , Robert S Weiss  1   2
Affiliations

Connecting Students with Patients and Survivors to Enhance Cancer Research Training

Robert N Riter et al. Cancer Res. .

Abstract

The professional training of cancer researchers in the basic sciences rarely involves interactions with patients. To provide nascent cancer scientists with an appreciation for and experience in interacting with the people most vested in their work, we created a program at Cornell University in which cancer researchers in training engage with the local patient community. Through this program, trainees gain a broader understanding of cancer, beyond the fundamental biology, and learn to effectively communicate scientific information to the public. We find that trainees and community members both benefit from interacting with one another and learning together about cancer using a common language.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest with the contents of this article.

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