Workshops
NOTE: This is a preliminary schedule.
Workshop selection is made at time of registration. Guests may choose one from Workshops I from 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and one from Workshops II from 12 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Alternately, guests may attend all or part of the Breast Cancer Symposium from 10:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Breast Cancer Symposium: 10:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Presenters include Nadine Tung, MD, Kate Johnston, MD, Ranjna Sharma, MD, Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW, and other BIDMC faculty.
Workshops I: 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
1. 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, BIDMC and Panagiotis Konstantinopoulos, MD, PhD, BIDMC.
2. Prostate Cancer
This workshop will discuss new treatments for newly diagnosed patients and advanced patients in a question and answer format.
Facilitated by Glenn Bubley, MD, BIDMC.
3. Neurologic Oncology/Brain Tumors
We will talk about the latest treatment options for patients with brain tumors, as well as how to manage central nervous system side effects from various treatments.
Facilitated by Eric Wong, MD, BIDMC.
4. 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, LDN, MEd, CNS, Private Practice and Facing Cancer Together.
5. 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.
6. Creating a Legacy from Our Everyday Lives
Many of us have prepared legal wills to distribute our belongings after we die. But few of us have considered leaving a spiritual/ethical will, a record of who we are, a document that can be offered to loved ones either while we are still alive or after we are gone. Each of us has a need to be known, to be remembered, and to express our values and our love. In this 90-minute session, we will begin to write our legacy as a way to be remembered, give deeper purpose to our life and pass on our stories to those we love in future generations as we make deeper meaning from our lives. Dr. Andrew Weil said about legacy writing: “ … Its primary importance is what it can give you in the midst of life."
Facilitated by Claire Willis, LICSW, Facing Cancer Together.
7. What's New in Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma and Stem Cell Transplant
This workshop will review current treatments, including bone marrow transplants, for hematological malignancies. There will also be discussion of research directions, common psychosocial issues and time for questions and answers.
Facilitated by Robin M. Joyce, MD, BIDMC and Jon Arnason, MD, BIDMC.
8. 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.
9. 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
10. 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.
11. Embracing Female Sexuality After Cancer
In this informal rap session focused on women we will discuss common sexual changes after cancer, and explore strategies to enhance sexual satisfaction. All questions are fair game. Partners and others with an interest in this topic are also welcome to attend.
Facilitated by Jennifer Potter, MD, BIDMC
Workshops II: 12 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
1. 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.
2. 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 Claire Willis, LICSW, Facing Cancer Together.
3. Head and Neck Cancers
This workshop will review treatments for head and neck cancers, suggest coping strategies, and allow time for questions and answers.
Facilitated by Colleen Frayne, RN, Frank McCaffrey, LICSW, and physician colleagues from BIDMC.
4. 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.
5. Mental Health Matters, Too
This workshop will focus on information about the evaluation and treatment of anxiety and depression in the context of cancer. An informal conversation will allow participants to ask questions and share experiences with the group.
Facilitated by Laurie Rosenblatt, MD, BIDMC.
6. Letting the Arts Heal Us: Touch Drawing workshop
Touch Drawing is a simple yet profound process where the fingers take the place of a pen or brush. Paper is placed over a freshly painted surface. Wherever it is touched, an imprint is made on the back side. Impulses from within take form on paper through the movement of the fingertips on the page. A multitude of drawings can be created in one session, each a stepping stone to the next; guiding progressively deeper into the self. This workshop is a unique invitation to come and dive into creativity, connecting you with your life force and vitality, to learn about yourself and hopefully find your peaceful center .Give yourself the gift of attending this workshop! Come dressed in comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting dirty in. Materials will be provided.
Facilitated by Marina Strauss, LMHC and Expressive Arts Therapist, Adjunct Faculty in Lesley University, Bilingual Therapist at BIDMC, Cognitive Neurology.
7. 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 Rebecca Miksad, MD, BIDMC.
8. Coping with Cancer by Tapping into Your Strengths, Passions and Values
A life coaching workshop for cancer survivors and their loved ones
The moment we hear the words “you have cancer” our lives change. We often feel like we lose ourselves to the new routines of treatment and to the overwhelming emotions we understandably feel. It’s a helpful time to remember who we are, what we are good at and what we value. Life coaching offers the tools to clarify our values and passions and to articulate our strengths. It supports us to nurture and empower ourselves through treatment and beyond. In this workshop, you will remind yourself of the strengths, values and activities that sustain you, and you will design specific steps for keeping those woven into your life during treatment and recovery.
Facilitated by 16-year cancer survivor and certified life coach, Tracy Fitzpatrick, MS, CAGS, CPCC, PCC
9. Kidney Cancer
This workshop will focus on available treatments, research directions, and multi-disciplinary care for kidney cancers.
Facilitated by James Mier, MD, BIDMC.
10. Financial Planning in Light of a Cancer Diagnosis For Individuals and Families
Regardless of where we are with diagnosis/treatment, we are all dealing with a chronic disease. Whether single or married, our disease raises financial concerns; how long do we plan for? What are the time periods that concern us based on our cancer diagnosis; short-term financial concerns while going through surgery/treatment and longer term needs? What are some of the financial options to address short and long term needs? We are all in the same boat. Come join us for a discussion of ways to help alleviate financial stresses’ and concerns while we cope with our disease.
Facilitated by Financial Planner Sandra A. Best, MBA, CFP.
11. Workshop on Faith and Spirituality
Details to follow
Facilitated by Rev. Julia Dunbar, Director of Pastoral Counseling.
