Breakout Session Descriptions

Below are the full course descriptions for the 2013 Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness Event.
 

Cancer’s Impact on the Family

Frances Marcus Lewis, PhD

Family and Child Nursing, University of Washington

Cancer doesn't affect just one person. Cancer affects couples, families, and friends. The complex feelings and lifestyle changes that follow a cancer diagnosis can be almost as overwhelming for family members and friends as they are for the person with cancer. Cancer’s Impact on the Family will address the emotional impact cancer has on the family and children of a cancer survivor. This session will inform you of current research in this field as well as provide suggested strategies to promote healing within the family.

Cognitive Function after Cancer

Myron Goldberg, PhD, ABPP-CN

Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington

Mild cognitive impairment following cancer treatment is one of the most common symptoms reported by cancer survivors. Cognitive Function after Cancer will provide an update on what we know about the troubling deterioration in cognitive function after cancer commonly called “chemobrain” or “chemofog,” Dr. Myron Goldberg will also provide suggested strategies to cope with post-cancer cognitive difficulties.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Chad Aschtgen, ND, FABNO

Seattle Integrative Oncology

Studies have shown that a significant percentage of cancer survivors deal with chronic health problems that may be related to their cancer treatment. Complementary and Alternative Medicine will discuss the benefits of a comprehensive integrated cancer care plan to resolve lingering effects of cancer treatment. Please note: we are offering a class specifically on vitamins and supplements and will not be covering this topic in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine class.

Emotional Adaptation after Cancer    

Jesse Fann, MD, MPH

Psychology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

When cancer survivors end treatment, they often report feeling lost, abandoned, and unsure of what to feel and do next. End-of-treatment emotional issues are often unexpected because survivors anticipate feeling relief when active treatment ends with the hope that they can “get back to their lives.” Emotional Adaptation will review the common emotional experiences of cancer survivors following cancer treatment. Dr. Jesse Fann will share coping strategies and review the resources available to help adapt to life after cancer.

Exercise for Cancer Survivors            

Rachel Douglas, MPT

Physical Therapy, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Surviving cancer and making it through cancer treatment are major accomplishments. Most, if not all, survivors find a new priority in life: keeping cancer from returning. The latest research suggests that exercise for cancer patients may help. Exercise for Cancer Survivors explores this and other benefits of exercise and oncology physical therapist, Lexi Harlow, will suggest safe exercise options for cancer survivors.

Fatigue and Energy

Mitch Levy, MD

Psychology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Chemotherapy and cancer treatments ravage the body’s stamina and strength with fatigue and low energy as major concerns of cancer survivors after treatment ends. Whether it's due to the disease itself, or the side effects of cancer treatment, tiredness is a problem that affects most cancer patients and survivors. Fatigue and Energy will help you better understand these real concerns and will provide you with tips to help boost energy, and restore vitality to cancer survivors.

Fertility after Cancer
Lynn Davis, MD
Seattle Reproductive Medicine

Lymphedema 

Andrea Leiserowitz, DPT

Physical Therapy, Oncology Rehabilitation Specialists, Inc.

Lymphedema 101: Lymphedema is swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid that occurs for several reasons, including radiation treatment and lymph node removal from cancer surgeries.   This session will discuss who is at risk for developing lymphedema, prevention strategies for those at risk and treatment recommendations for those with diagnosed lymphedema.

Mindfulness Meditation for Caregivers

Erica Rayner-Horn, MA, LMHCA
Mindful Therapy

As a caregiver you play a vital role in the support and healing of your loved one but it is essential that
you also take care of your own health and well-being. Caregivers tend to put their own needs aside yet you too need a way to cope with the stresses and demands of life in order to prevent exhaustion and burnout. Mindfulness meditation offers you a simple and effective approach to supporting your own emotional and physical health. You'll learn how to slow down, breathe, release tension and relieve stress. You'll discover how bringing your awareness back to the present moment helps you access your own inner sanctuary of peace and tranquility.

Mindfulness Meditation For Cancer Survivors
Erica Rayner-Horn, MA,LMHCA

Mindful Therapy

How do you cope with stress and the physical, emotional and psychological challenges of living with
cancer? Research shows that practicing mindfulness meditation is a very effective way to reduce
stress, anxiety and depression, to work with pain and to improve immune function, vitality and quality of life. In this session you will learn simple meditation practices that integrate body awareness and breathing and will help you find an oasis of calm and relaxation in the midst of challenge and turmoil. Gentle and insightful mindfulness practices provide a way to work with difficult emotions and unhelpful thinking and develop selfcompassion. You will leave with practical tools for integrating meditation into your everyday life and fully embracing your life in the present moment– just the way it is!

Nutrition for Cancer Survivors

Jennifer McCombie, MS, RD
Medical Nutrition Therapy Services, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Eating well is important for everyone but for cancer survivors the right diet is essential for regaining and maintaining health. Nutrition for Cancer Survivors shares what the latest research suggests about eating to prevent secondary tumors and recurrence. This session will also provide guidelines for the optimal diet for cancer survivors. Please note: we are offering a class specifically on vitamins and supplements and will not be covering this topic in the Nutrition for Cancer Survivors class.

Relationships and Intimacy after Cancer – Male and Female Issues

Leslie Vietmeier, ARNP
Survivorship Clinic, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

You may have changes in your sex life after cancer treatment - many people do. Sexual problems after cancer treatment are often caused by changes to your body - from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, or by the effects of certain medicines. Sometimes emotional issues can be the cause of sexual problems. Relationships and Intimacy after Cancer will address the common concerns about sex and intimacy after cancer and will provide strategies for improving intimate relationships after cancer treatment. Please note there are two sessions: the 11am will be directed towards male survivors and the 12pm session will be directed towards female survivors.

Returning to Work: Your rights and options
This will be presented by a panel of experts versed in the emotional, practical, and legal aspects of employment rights of cancer survivors.

Stress Management Techniques for Cancer Survivors
Samantha Burns Artherholt, PhD
Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington

When you were diagnosed with cancer, you might have devoted all your time to focusing on your treatment and getting healthy. Now that you've completed treatment, all those projects around the house and the things on your to-do list are competing for your attention. This can make you feel stressed and overwhelmed. Stress Management Techniques for Cancer Survivors will expain what stress is, why it happens, and what the mental and physical effects of stress are. This session will also help you understand the importance of developing your own plan for coping with your stress and will suggest strategies to help find out what brings you the most peace.

Trauma and Growth: Making the most of hard times
Karen Syrjala, PhD
Survivorship Program
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Cancer treatment takes a lot out of you.  It can be traumatic and even create post-traumatic stress.  But many people find it also results in growth and a new sense of purpose.  Find out how to recognize post-traumatic stress and how you can make the most of your experience so that you come out feeling that you gained something valuable.

Vitamins and Supplements

Chad Aschtgen, ND, FABNO

Seattle Integrative Oncology

Vitamins and supplements are often recommended to and taken by many cancer survivors who cannot gain their daily requirement through diet alone. For example, some use supplements to treat post-treatment fatigue or neuropathy. Please join us in this class to learn about what it means to supplement vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and who might benefit from doing so. You will also learn about the latest research that discusses supplementation and well as resources for those wanting to find out more about adding supplements into their diet. Please note: we are also offering classes on Nutrition for Cancer Survivors and Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which will not be discussing the topic of vitamins and supplements.