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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

For millions of women today, a strong sense of hope and support lays the foundation of cancer survival. Having a positive outlook and reassurance helps many women diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancers overcome these diseases.
 
On May 11, 2010, about 175 breast and gynecologic cancer survivors, family members, and friends gathered at The Chadwick in Wexford, PA to hear the powerful advice of fellow survivors and take note of research presented by specialists from the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.
 
Presented by UPMC Health Plan, the free survivorship workshop provided attendees in all stages of treatment and remission with valuable information on topics such as sexuality and intimacy, nutrition and weight management, the reality of menopause, and changes in relationships with family and friends.
 
Thomas Krivak, MD, started the evening with a welcome and introduction. The workshop continued with keynote speaker Dana Bovbjerg, PhD, who shared statistics about modifiable behavioral factors in survivorship such as smoking, drinking, and exercising. One study’s findings showed that the more an individual smoked, the higher their mortality rate; however, there was no correlation between increased smoking and having a higher risk of breast cancer.

Following the keynote speaker, an “I Did Survive and Thrive Panel” of four survivors, led by Karen Cooper, LCSW, OSW-C, a patient navigator at Magee, shared their personal battles with breast and gynecologic cancer.
 
Carol Maretsky’s message of “choose life” was compelling. After losing her mother to brain cancer, her grandmother to colon cancer, her sister to lung cancer, and her brother to pancreatic cancer, she was diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer. As the only surviving sibling, Ms. Maretsky underwent genetic testing, surgery, six months of chemotherapy, and five weeks of radiation, only to later have a recurrence. After retiring from her full-time job to battle cancer, she has defined a new role for herself.

Jacqueline Dandridge, another survivor panelist, shared her journey of facing ovarian cancer. After undergoing a hysterectomy and six weeks of chemotherapy, Ms. Dandridge enjoyed life without cancer. She recurred three months before that hopeful five-year anniversary of being cancer-free. She concluded with “I may have cancer, but there’s nothing I can’t overcome.”
 
Each survivor stressed the importance of living life to the fullest and how important their support system was during the most difficult time in their lives.
 
After a brief question and answer session, breakout sessions were held for both breast and gynecologic cancer topics. During these discussions, specialists offered ideas to help women maintain their health and improve their survival and quality of life. Speakers included Connie Lappa, LSW, CST, Susan Stollings, PhD, Mary Peterson, MD, and Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN.

Although health care plans are specific to each individual, the workshop provided useful recommendations for what’s next after treatment is finished for individuals undergoing the lifelong journey of cancer survival. The workshop was the first in a series of Magee LiveWell Survivorship workshops.

The workshop presentations were videotaped, and DVDs are being sold for $20. To order, download the order form and call Denise Wickline, special events coordinator, at 412-641-8911. Links to the presentations are included below.

Behavioral Factors in Survivorship by Dana Bovbjerg, PhD

The Healing Plate by Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN

Changes in Relationships After Cancer by Susan Stollings, PhD

Overcoming Challenges to Sexuality by Connie Lappa, LSW, CST

Menopause Realities: Quality of Life by Mary Peterson, MD


Handouts:

Food Group Weekly Tracker

Nutrient-Rich Shopping List

Resources: Breast Cancer & Sex

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