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Workshops

Workshop selection is made at time of registration. Guests may choose one from Workshops I at 9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. and one from Workshop II at 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Workshops I: 9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Treatment for Early Breast Cancer

Learn about treatment for early breast cancer facilitated by Steven Come, MD.

I Can Cope (also offered from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Prostate Cancer

The workshop on prostate cancer will discuss new treatments for newly diagnosed patients and advanced patients in a question and answer format. Facilitated by Glenn Bubley, MD and other BIDMC faculty.

Women’s Sexuality After Cancer

The experience of having cancer can impact relationships and intimacy in various ways. This workshop will explore strategies that can be used to enhance self-confidence, adapt to a new body, and achieve a satisfying sexual life. The program will be led by Jennifer Potter, a primary care doctor who specializes in caring for women whose lives have been affected by cancer. Facilitated by Jennifer Potter, MD, BIDMC.

From Survivor to Thriver: Clarify and Live Your Life's Purpose

A Life Coaching Workshop

We can emerge from the life altering experience of cancer treatment yearning for more meaning and fulfillment. We have experienced our own mortality and long to live more authentically and purposefully. Come explore and clarify your life’s purpose in this coaching workshop. What gifts are you meant to give and what lessons have you learned? Experience some coaching tools that will support your vitality and self-expression. Facilitated by 14-year cancer survivor and certified life coach, Tracy Fitzpatrick, MS, CAGS, CPCC, PCC.

Nutrition and the Immune System

This workshop will deal with the role nutrition plays in supporting the immune system. Handouts will be provided. Facilitated by Sheila Wolfson, MEd, CNS, Private Practice and The Wellness Community.

Radiation Therapy in Integrated Cancer Management: Where we are today and where we are going tomorrow.

This workshop will focus on the physical and radiobiological foundations of radiation therapy and the integration of this modality into overall cancer management. Newer methods of delivering radiation therapy that promise to improve effectiveness and decrease toxicity will be illustrated. Facilitated by Stuart Berman, MD, BIDMC.

GI Cancers

This presentation will review our current understanding of the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of three types of gastrointestinal cancers: colon and rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular cancer. Advances in the approach to both surgical and medical management will be discussed. Facilitated by Diane Savarese, MD, BIDMC.

Bone Marrow Transplant and Hematological Malignancies

Facilitated by David Avigan, MD and other BIDMC faculty.

Gentle Yoga for Recovery and Beyond

People living with, through, and beyond a cancer diagnosis may find yoga to be an effective way to regain a sense of serenity, security and promise in their bodies. Discover for yourself the benefits of yoga in this easy-to-follow class performed with the aid of a chair. Learn how to use your breath to induce a sense of calm; then follow a series of mild yoga poses and therapeutic stretches to energize and relax your body. A life-affirming guided meditation concludes the class. Facilitated by Camille Kittrell, MS, RYT.

Melanoma

This presentation will review our current understanding of malignant melanoma causation, diagnosis, and treatment. Advances in the approach to both surgical and medical management for patients with this disease will be discussed. Facilitated by Nicholas Tawa, MD, BIDMC.

Advances in the Management of Gynecologic Malignancies

Review of the state of the art, standard and experimental therapies for gynecologic malignancies. The focus will be on treatments for ovarian cancer. Facilitated by Christopher Awtrey, MD and Mary Buss, MD, BIDMC.

Workshops II: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Treatment for Advanced Breast Cancer

Learn about Treatment for Advanced Breast Cancer facilitated by Christina Herold, MD, BIDMC.

I Can Cope (also offered from 9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.)

Cancer in the 21st Century

Novel discoveries about how cancer develops and sustains itself have led to astonishing progress in prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease. This workshop will highlight examples of how science is bringing needed changes to cancer care. Facilitated by Lowell Schnipper, MD, BIDMC.

The Power of Plants

Discover the joy and benefits gardening provides for people living with cancer. Landscape designer Charleen Maunsell and Roberta Dehman Hershon, the founder of Hope in Bloom, which plants gardens for breast cancer patients, will explore the differences between organic and conventional practices. Susan Farmer, a breast cancer survivor and recipient of a Hope in Bloom garden, will discuss how her garden enhanced her and her husband’s lives during and after treatment.

Participants will learn how a garden helps mobility, boosts energy levels and elevates morale. We will explore how a garden is born from design to plant selection to maintenance. We will also explain non-toxic remedies for pests. Everyone will create, plant and take home a colorful, organic container garden to keep or share with someone. Please bring a pair of gardening gloves.

Neurologic Oncology/Brain Tumors

We will talk about the latest treatment options for patients with brain tumors, as well as how to management central nervous system side effects from various treatments. Facilitated by Eric Wong, MD, BIDMC.

Exercise and Cancer

This workshop will focus on the general guidelines regarding what is safe and appropriate for engaging in cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercise for individuals recovering from cancer. Facilitated by Marlene DaCosta, Exercise Physiologist, from BIDMC's Tanger Be Well Center.

Physical Therapy After Breast Cancer Treatment

Some women find they are not able to use their arm easily or have pain in their chest or breast after breast cancer surgery, with/without radiation therapy. Scar tissue from surgery and fibrosis from radiation are responsible and can limit a woman's ability to function or return to her previous activities and/or sports. Manual physical therapy, exercise and stretching help relieve these restrictions and help a woman return to her maximal function and for those at risk, education on limb precautions may help reduce the risk of getting lymphedema. Facilitated by Nancy Roberge, PT, DPT, Chestnut Hill PT Associates.

Survivorship Consultation

This workshop will address what one can expect from a “survivorship consultation” and discuss what is included in a survivorship care plan. Your rights as a cancer survivor will be addressed as well as resources for thriving beyond cancer treatment. Facilitated by Martha Kleinerman, RN, NP and Kate Johnston, MD, BIDMC.

Using Our Mind to Heal Our Body

Hippocrates once wrote, "The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well." This is the essence of mind/body medicine. In this highly experiential workshop, we will learn some simple techniques to decrease stress, lower physical pain and improve our overall health. Some of these will include various forms of meditation, The Relaxation Response, breathing techniques and simple stretching movements. Facilitated by Suzanne McCarthy, PsyD.

Mental Health Matters, Too

This workshop will focus on information about the evaluation and treatment of anxiety and depression in the context of cancer. A informal conversation will allow participants to ask questions and share experiences with the group. Facilitated by Laurie Rosenblatt, MD, BIDMC.

Young Adult Survivorship 101: Everything you never though you'd need to know about being a young adult with a history of cancer.

As a 20- or 30-something, you probably never thought you’d have to worry about things like medical debt, insurance coverage, relationships, infertility, and moving forward. Join Samantha Eisenstein Watson, Founder of Surviving And Moving Forward: The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer, and Marice Saganov, LICSW, and Linda Goorin, LICSW for a discussion of all things young adult related.

Genetic Risk for Breast and Ovarian Cancers

Learn what you need to know about your family history. Learn how this information is used to help guide screening and prevention for unaffected family members. The discussion will include information about the pros and cons of genetic testing. Facilitated by Nadine Tung, MD, BIDMC.

Q & A on Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer

Ask the Doctor, whatever you wanted to ask about lung or esophageal cancer. Facilitated by Mark Huberman, MD, BIDMC.