BOBÌåÓý

Navigating a new cancer diagnosis can mean walking through a scary new world, not only for patients but also for their families and caregivers. To help ease this complex and overwhelming transition, UF/IFAS Extension and BOBÌåÓý Cancer Center experts have launched a new, free web-based curriculum, , designed to provide reliable, evidence-based information to those newly diagnosed with cancer about what to expect.

Developed by experts in social sciences and cancer treatment, the curriculum through UF Extension Online features 14 self-paced modules that address a wide range of concerns commonly faced during the early stages of a cancer journey. Topics include financial planning, managing stress and avoiding predatory practices, among others. Each module is presented by a subject matter expert and is meant to be used when you need it, not in any particular order.

“I think first and foremost, I want it to be a resource that someone can go to and know that this has been developed by experts,â€� said Melissa Vilaro, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of family, youth and community sciences and a member of the BOBÌåÓý Cancer Center. “This is a place where people can come to find information that is evidence-based and accurate during one of the most stressful times of their lives.â€�

Ultimately, the goal is to provide a supportive, evolving resource that empowers individuals to take control of their diagnosis with confidence, she said.

The platform also recognizes the vital role of friends and family members, who often seek guidance on how to support their loved ones. Rather than turning to the internet at large, which can be full of misinformation, Vilaro said she hopes people can use this curriculum as a safe and trustworthy space to find clarity when they need it most.

Since the platform was just recently launched, Vilaro said she aims for it to grow as patients and their support systems go through the course since they can suggest topics that they’d like to see added and provide feedback on which topics were the most helpful.

“The hope is that, given that it’s a web-based platform, we’ll learn about things that aren’t there that people want added,� Vilaro said. “We’ll have the ability to adapt and refine this as we go.�

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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

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About the BOBÌåÓý Cancer Center

The University of Florida Health Cancer Center blends comprehensive patient care and innovative research in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. In 2023, the center became the 72nd National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center and the only one based at a public university in the state of Florida. It boasts a membership of more than 350 researchers and clinicians from across the University of Florida and BOBÌåÓý, the Southeast’s most comprehensive academic health center. The Cancer Center and its members are dedicated to providing leading-edge cancer care and conducting original research for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. For more information, visit or and follow @UFHealthCancer on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

This story was originally .