2010 Conference Workshops
Session One
Friday, February 26, 2010 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
A. Lymphedema: Risk Reduction and Management Strategies Speaker:Jill Binkley, PT, MSc, FAAOMPT Executive Director, TurningPoint Women’s Healthcare, Alpharetta, GA
There are no scientific studies showing that lymphedema can be prevented, but there are ways to lower your risk of developing this treatment side effect. In this workshop, we will explore the myths and recent scientific evidence about lymphedema, learn about risk reduction techniques and discuss approaches to lymphedema management, including exercise, physical therapy, lymphatic drainage, massage and other treatment methods.
B. Yoga: Inner Peace, Outer Strength Speaker: Pasha Hogan, BBSDipl. Psychotherapy/Counseling, RYT
Designed for yogis of all levels and at all stages of the healing process, this session will explore the benefits of incorporating yoga into your treatment regimen. Learn how the practice of yoga can promote healing and well-being, reduce stress, enhance quality of life and help you find self-acceptance.
C. We Are What We Eat: Fight Cancer One Meal at a Time Speaker: Shayna Komar RD, LD Chef Nancy Waldeck Owner - Taste and Savor, Inc
Fact: you can create delicious, interesting meals without adding a full stick of butter to every dish. Discover the simple truths about the science behind nutrition and cancer in this interactive workshop and cooking demonstration. Learn how nutrition can play an important role in fighting cancer, and leave this session knowing how you can apply this information every day in your own kitchen.
D. Creative Coping: Using Creative Arts to Heal Body, Mind and Soul Speaker: Edna M. Bacon ATR-BC Board Certifed Registered Art Therapist
Think about the classic definition of an artist. Now take that definition and throw it right out the window! You don’t need to be the next Vincent Van Gogh to use the power of creativity as a means to healing and recovery. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to play with paper and glue! Whether you are newly diagnosed or a long-term survivor, this introduction to art therapy will show you how the process of creative expression can help you work through the many emotions a breast cancer diagnosis can bring.
E. Get Moving! Effective Exercises During and After Breast Cancer Speaker: Sami Papacek Cancer Exercise Specialist, Life in Focus
Exercise is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle, particularly for women affected by breast cancer. This workshop will provide research updates on exercise and demonstrate effective tips and techniques to help fight fatigue and weight gain, increase energy and metabolism and improve core strength.
Session Two
Saturday, February 27, 2010 | 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
F. Women Who Partner with Women Speaker: Ashley Varner, MSW, MBA Senior Director, Caregiving Programs, The Wellness Community
This session will address the unique psychosocial and practical issues impacting same sex couples facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Learn communication strategies to help better care for each other, explore ways to break through preconceived notions from others and discover strategies for overcoming barriers in the healthcare system that may differ from your heterosexual peers.
G. Surviving & Thriving Through the Years: The Medical Impact of Breast Cancer on Your Health Speaker: Julie R. Gralow, MD Professor, Medical Oncology, Director, Breast Medical Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Join Dr. Gralow as she discusses the medical impact of living with a history of breast cancer. From addressing treatments’ effects on future health conditions to managing long-term side effects, this workshop will empower you to better prepare and manage the physical impact of evolving issues throughout your life span.
H. Advanced Breast Cancer: Treatment and Research News Speaker: Diana E. Lake, MD Breast Cancer Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Learn the latest medical updates used to manage metastatic breast cancer including novel treatments for specific metastases including brain, liver, lung and bone. Hear an update on clinical research and explore how to communicate effectively with your healthcare team to make the best treatment decisions for your individual goals and lifestyle.
I. Fertility and Pregnancy: Knowing Your Options Speaker: David M. Lee, MD Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Director of Pediatric Gynecology, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital,
Oregon Health & Science University
For a young woman with breast cancer, knowing your fertility and pregnancy options is an important part of treatment decision making and quality of life. Find out what you need to know in this workshop including the long-term effects of treatment and its impact on fertility, methods to preserve your fertility and how your physicians can determine if your fertility has been affected.
J. Your New Normal: Navigating Your Emotions Speaker: Julia H. Rowland, PhD Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, NIH/DHHS
In this workshop, learn to navigate your changing emotional landscape and understand why your perspective, needs, relationships and life goals may have changed after an experience with breast cancer. Explore how this experience is unique to you depending on what stage of life development you are in, and learn strategies for moving forward successfully throughout your life.
K. Care for the Caregiver: Supporting Yourself and Your Loved One with Early Stage Breast Cancer Speakers:
James Hankins, MSW, LCSW Director of Social Services and Patient Support Services for the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University Valerie Henderson, MSW Social Services and Patient Support Services for the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
This workshop is for caregivers only. Discuss your needs and concerns while caring for a young woman with early-stage breast cancer, and learn strategies for managing expectations of yourself as a caregiver. Meet other caregivers and exchange support and tips for coping with a loved one’s diagnosis and treatment.
L. Understanding Your Pathology Report Speaker: Deborah Axelrod MD, FACS Director, Clinical Breast Programs and Services; Medical Director, Community Education and Outreach; Associate Professor Clinical Surgery,
NYU Clinical Cancer Institute
Scheduling testing and waiting for results is a normal and sometimes confusing step on the cancer journey. Take action! Learn how to better understand and use your pathology report to develop appropriate questions and work more effectively with your healthcare team.
M. A Closer Look: Triple Negative Breast Cancer Speaker: Ruth O’Regan, MD Associate Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine; Louisa and Rand Glenn Family Chair in Breast Cancer Research; Chief, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Hospital
Triple-negative breast cancer, or cancer that tests negative for the estrogen and progesterone receptor and HER2/neu protein, is more prevalent among young women and can be more difficult to treat. Take a closer look at this aggressive form of breast cancer: its causes, treatments and the latest promising research outcomes.
Session Three
Saturday, February 27, 2010 | 4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
N. Care for the Caregiver: Supporting Yourself and Your Loved One with Advanced Breast Cancer Speaker: Ashley Varner, MSW, MBA Senior Director, Caregiving Programs, The Wellness Community
This workshop is for caregivers only. In a safe and open discussion, hear methods to cope with your loved one's diagnosis of advanced breast cancer, and learn techniques for good self care while caring for another. Discuss your fears, needs and concerns as a caregiver, learn how to "share the load" and meet others to exchange tips for coping.
O. Taking Control: Managing End-of-Life Issues Speaker: Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW, BCD, OSW-C Chief, Oncology Social Work, BIDMC; Adjunct Professor, Simmons College School of Social Work
Planning ahead and managing your affairs can empower you with a sense of control and security. This workshop will openly address end-of-life concerns and provide tools for creating a legacy, managing practical and estate planning issues and talking with your family and loved ones about your wishes.
P. Mindfulness Meditation Speaker: Michael J. Baime, MDDirector, Penn Program for Stress Management, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Get an overview of how mindfulness meditation can help you cope with your emotions, whether newly diagnosed or years beyond initial treatment. Understand the concepts and benefits of meditation and learn exercises to help you incorporate meditation into your daily life.
Q. After the Media Blitz: Turning What You Hear Into News You Can Use
Speakers:
Shelley Lewis Author, Five Lessons I Didn't Learn From Breast Cancer (and One Big One I Did)
Elizabeth CohenSenior Medical Correspondent for CNN
Updates on breast cancer medical research, legislation and prevention often appear in today's media outlets. Gain insight into what makes a story worth reporting from the media's perspective. Learn how to harness that information to take action for yourself and others impacted by breast cancer.
R. Understanding Personalized Medicine and Genome Research Speaker: Minetta C. Liu, MD Director of Translational Breast Cancer Research and Biomarker Section Chief, Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
The studies of genetics and molecular biology have the potential to revolutionize cancer care by resulting in better diagnostic tests, more precise diagnoses, greater predictability of disease course and improved patient safety. Whether you are newly diagnosed or endured your treatment years ago, gain improved understanding of how this rapidly changing area of science applies to you.
S. Breast Reconstruction: You Have Options Speaker: Frank J. DellaCroce, MD, FACS Co-founder, Center for Restorative Breast Surgery
With the many advances in the field of breast reconstruction, how do you decide which option is the most appropriate for you? Whether you are exploring your initial breast reconstruction options or secondary procedures, this workshop will provide you with the most up-to-date information on an array of reconstruction techniques.
T. Money Matters: Managing the Financial Impact of Breast Cancer Speaker: Jane Levy, LCSW-R
During and after cancer treatment personal finances (or lack thereof) can cause a significant amount of stress. Begin to chart a course to financial peace by discovering helpful resources and tactics to take money matters into your own hands.
U. Let's Talk About Sex: Tips, Tools and Beyond! Speaker: Sharon Crews, PhD Professional Affiliations: American Psychological Association, Georgia Psychological Association, American Family Therapy Academy
Real talk, real tips: an engaging exploration of new tips and techniques to enhance intimate experiences after a breast cancer diagnosis. Learn new ways to further the emotional connection as well as restore and increase the physical pleasure.
Session Four
Sunday, February 28, 2010 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
V. Care for the Caregiver: For Men Only! Speaker: Marc Heyison President/Co-Founder, Men Against Breast Cancer
An annual favorite! This workshop for men only will address how communication styles between men and women can impact caregiving and understanding of needs. Engage in open dialogue about topics such as the emotional and physical demands of caregiving, the impact on intimacy, parenting and finances. Learn how to balance life's changing demands and discover ways to become a more authentic, effective, and loving caregiver.
W. Clinical Trials for Young Women: What You Need to Know Speaker: Judy E. Garber, MD, MPH Director, Cancer Risk and Prevention, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Explore the clinical research specifically looking at premenopausal women with breast cancer. Discover the latest findings and explore open trials, and learn the importance of continuing research and how you can help.
X. Body Image: Breaking Through the Mirror Speaker: Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MASUniversity Distinguished Service Assistant Professor of Breast Cancer; Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Universiy School of Medicine; Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Body image concerns are a part of many women's lives. After a diagnosis of breast cancer, these issues can become even more prominent, especially for young women. Explore your feelings and how they can differ depending on how you felt about your body before cancer, the stage of life development you are in and whether you're single or in a relationship. Learn tools for managing these complex feelings and open a new dialogue with yourself about appearance, acceptance and appreciation of beauty.
Y. Getting Through Treatment: One Side Effect at a Time Speaker: Kathryn Carlson Wrammert, MSN, APRN-BC, WHNP-BC
A diagnosis of cancer means dealing with the varied and unwanted side effects of treatment. Learn strategies to effectively improve quality of life, including how to prepare for treatment and plan ahead for coping with short-term side effects such as nausea, hair loss, fatigue, mouth sores, skin and nail changes as well as others. Share your own tips and hear from others in exchange.
Z. Your Workplace Rights Speaker: Haley A. Schwartz, Esq.Director, Breast Cancer Legal Project, Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Be prepared with the tools and information you need to better manage your career after breast cancer. Whether getting back to work, maintaining your current position or exploring new professional ventures, knowing your rights is an integral part of your life. Discuss some of the common challenges and effective methods of dealing with cancer in the workplace.
AA. Advanced Breast Cancer: Living in the Moment to Live Fully Every Day Speaker: Jean Rowe, LCSW Medical Oncology Social Worker, Emory Winship Cancer Institute
Understanding your care and balancing ongoing treatment with daily life issues can be challenging. Explore approaches to living everyday fully while living with metastatic breast cancer. Learn coping methods to help you live with and beyond your fears and better understand how to express your needs with loved ones, co-workers and peers.
