"There is so much misunderstanding about the disease," said Oppenheimer, director of Northridge's Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology. "It's important to help inform people in the community so they will not, out of fear, hesitate to seek medical help."

"Biology of Cancer" is a lower level biology course offered as a general education class to non-biology majors. It is offered this fall on Mondays from 6 to 7:40 p.m. in Room 2132 of Eucalyptus Hall, located near the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge. The fall semester begins Aug. 29.

Oppenheimer said priority seating will be given to students, but any vacant spaces are open to members of the public who want to "come in, listen, ask questions and learn."

The class attracts top experts who lecture on cancer epidemiology, quackery, pathology, breast and skin cancers, radiation, the diagnosis process, even the dangers of radon gas. Oppenheimer discusses types of cancer, its diagnosis, treatments, causes and prevention. Oppenheimer said he opens the class up to the community as a public service.

"I think universities have an obligation to reach out to the community as much as possible with respect to issues that are really critical for the health and well-being of the community," he said.

Oppenheimer's groundbreaking work on cancer cell surface and adhesion prompted the American Cancer Society to approach him nearly three decades ago about creating one of the first "Biology of Cancer" classes in the nation.