title: Academic leagues: a Brazilian way to teach about cancer in medical universities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Performance of qualified professionals committed to cancer care on a global scale is critical. Nevertheless there is a deficit in Cancer Education in Brazilian medical schools (MS). Projects called Academic Leagues (AL) have been gaining attention. However, there are few studies on this subject. AL arise from student initiative, arranged into different areas, on focus in general knowledge, universal to any medical field. They are not obligatory and students are responsible for the organizing and planning processes of AL, so participation highlights the motivation to active pursuit of knowledge. The objective of this study was to explore the relevance of AL, especially on the development of important skills and attitudes for medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was undertaken in order to assess the number of AL Brazilian MS. After nominal list, a grey literature review was conducted to identify those with AL and those with Oncology AL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eighty of the 234 MS were included. Only 4 MS selected held no information about AL and 74.4 % of them had AL in Oncology. The majority had records in digital media. The number of AL was proportional to the distribution of MS across the country, which was related to the number of inhabitants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The real impact and the potential of these projects can be truly understand by a qualitative analysis. AL are able to develop skills and competencies that are rarely stimulated whilst studying in traditional curriculum. This has positive effects on professional training, community approach through prevention strategies, and development on a personal level permitting a dynamic, versatile and attentive outlook to their social role. Besides stimulating fundamental roles to medical practice, students that participate in AL acquire knowledge and develop important skills such as management and leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, health education, construction of citizenship. Oncology AL encourage more skilled care to patients and more effective policies for cancer control.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, University of State of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Almirante Baltazar n 189 apt 513, São Cristovão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 20941-150, Brazil. dii.valente@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Diogo Antonio Valente
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medical Sciences, University of State of Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard 28 de setembro, n77, 5 floor. Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 20550-170, Brazil. renataaranhauerj@yahool.com.br.
authors.forename: Renata Nunes
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Aranha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, University of State of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Professor Manuel de Abreu n 444 - 4 floor. Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 20550-170, Brazil. mariahelenaornellas@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Helena Faria Ornellas
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: de Souza
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D001938:Brazil; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D017145:Models, Educational; D009369:Neoplasms; D010379:Peer Group; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods