"How to avoid dying from cancer ... now and later"--a course to reach the lay public

The context, history, course description, measures and foundations for success, and future enhancements are described for the Health Education course, "How to Avoid Dying from Cancer ... Now and Later." Since 1981 this course has been offered once annually at The Ohio State University for academic credit and has averaged an enrollment of 354 undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students. Over the years this course, originated by a surgical oncologist, has earned its own title and entry in the academic course offerings and has demonstrated success both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative indicators of success include enrollment trends, diversities of students enrolled, student evaluations of the course, and data on the instructional effectiveness of this course. Qualitative indicators of success include favorable publicity through the local media, top ratings for summer radio programs based on this course, and the National University Continuing Education Faculty Service Award given to one of the authors in 1985. Four factors account for much of the success of this course.