Perspectives on Breast Cancer Survivorship at the Benedictine Hospital October the 22nd

Hosted by the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley and co-sponsored by Breast Cancer Options

A panel discussion at a local hospital inspired a lively discussion on living a full life after a breast cancer diagnosis. The goal of the event was to help people connect to the emotional, social and spiritual support they need and find meaning and purpose in their lives.

Puja Thomson, author of After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing and My Hope & Focus Organizer, facilitated the event, Perspectives on Breast Cancer Survivorship, at the Benedictine Hospital on Oct. 22. Five panel members represented organizations that work together to offer services and resources in the Hudson Valley to benefit women and families affected by breast cancer. The panel included, Barbara Sarah, founder of the Oncology Support Program at Benedictine Hospital, Mary Martin, a breast health navigator of the Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health at the Benedictine Hospital, Wendy Stickley-Ocker of the American Cancer Society and Hope Nemiroff of Breast Cancer Options. The representatives presented their perspectives and offered resources for audience members to receive the support they need. The audience was encouraged to help others find the support they need and positively influence the future of breast cancer.
        

Methods and perspectives on breast cancer vary, there are even multiple definitions of cancer survivorship, Thomson explained. Some believe that survivorship occurs at the time of a cancer diagnosis, others believe survivorship is won after treatment ends, while some believe that survivorship means living with cancer. “The number of people living with cancer will increase over the next decade because the quality of survival is improving,” Wendy Stickley-Ocker of the American Cancer Society informed the audience. The American Cancer Society aims to help your survival plan, and relieve the negative emotional effects of getting a diagnosis.

“You can still have a full and rich life even if you are diagnosed with cancer,” Barbara Sarah said. Sarah’s Oncology Support Program promotes a philosophy of living well. Her work is based on Buddhist philosophy, but teaches people of various faiths to live life with intention and to cope with worry and fear. “Now is the most important word, live everyday fully,” Sarah told the audience. The Oncology Support Program offers more than your ordinary “sit and talk” support groups. Their programs include classes on cooking, memoir writing, art and music therapy, improv groups and much more. Their Nurturing Neighborhood Network connects cancer survivors to other survivors trained by the Oncology Support Program to provide peer support. Through the Oncology Support Program people can turn their worries into action and find solace in their peers.

Mary Martin is a breast health navigator of the Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health who works to help people receive cancer treatment, especially the uninsured or underinsured. The Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health at the Benedictine Hospital provides comprehensive breast imaging like diagnostic screening and digital mammography and ultrasounds. Martin described a new law that helps educate patients in N.Y. The law requires health care facilities to inform patients who have dense breast tissues that their cancer could be concealed on a mammogram. People with denser breast tissue have more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue. “Additional imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, may be necessary,” Martin explained. Women whose breast cancer was not indicated on mammograms because of their dense breast tissue lobbied for this law. The Breast Density Inform bill will take effect Jan. 1st 2013.

The panel stressed the importance of using information from trustworthy sources to create appropriate treatment plans. “People don’t just want support groups, they want information to make their own decisions,” Hope Nemiroff of Breast Cancer Options explained. Breast Cancer Options educates patients about effective treatment options and promotes public awareness regarding cancer risk education. Breast Cancer Options offers free acupuncture for people undergoing cancer treatment and companion advocate programs to support patients during doctor’s appointments in various counties in New York.

Audience members contributed to the discussion and voiced their appreciation for the work of the panel members' community programs. One audience member shared how breast cancer support services helped not only herself, but her family and community. “We struggled, but I think my children will be better people because of our family’s experience with breast cancer.” She mentioned the positive experience her children had at Camp Lightheart, a free summer camp for children whose parents are diagnosed with breast cancer. Camp Lightheart was created by Breast Cancer Options, as a response to the lack of resources for children affected by cancer.

Breast cancer affects every aspect of an individual’s life. The panel members represent different cancer services, but their organizations share a holistic approach to cancer that strives to heal a suffering individual, not just a body part. The resources offered at Perspectives of Breast Cancer Survivorship provide support in the Hudson Valley community. Through evidence based information and programs, people can move forward after a cancer diagnosis and live a full life. 

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Breast Cancer Options
Contact Hope Nemiroff

hope@breastcanceroptions.org

845-339-HOPE (4673)

Oncology Support Program brought to you by the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley

Located at the Reuner Cancer Support House 80 Mary’s Avenue, Kingston NY, 12401 
845-339-2071

 The Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health at the Benedictine Hospital, brought to you by the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley

New location: Thomas A. Dee Cancer Center
111 Mary’s Avenue, 1st Floor,
Kingston, N.Y. 12401

845-334-3099

American Cancer Society

Hudson Valley Office now at 121 Executive Dr., New Windsor, NY,  12553
845-440-2500 
1-800-ACS-2345

Roots & Wings
puja@rootsnwings.com
www.aftershockfromcancer.com

Upcoming Event, "Perspectives on Breast Cancer Survivorship"

How do we ensure that we continue to live fully through cancer treatment, connect to the emotional, social and spiritual support that we need, and find meaning and purpose in our lives?

Puja Thomson is facilitating a panel on moving forward after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Presenters include representatives from the various aspects of cancer support services including:

Barbara Sarah, LCSW (Founder of the Oncology Support Program)
Mary Martin (Breast Health Navigator of the Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health)
Puja Thomson (author of "After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing and My Hope & Focus Organizer)
Wendy Stickley-Ocker (American Cancer Society)
Hope Nemiroff (Breast Cancer Options)

Healthy Snacks Provided!

Located in the Administrative Services Building Auditorium of the Benedictine Hospital. 105 Mary's Avenue Kingston, NY


Brought to you by the Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley and Breast Cancer Options

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

You, the Empowered Patient

Puja Thomson leads her discussion, "You, the Empowered Patient"

Puja Thomson began her discussion, “You, the Empowered Patient,” by introducing herself through the experiences that have shaped her perspective on healing. Through growing up in Scotland and living in the United States she has been exposed to two very different health care systems. The specialization of medicine in the United States has a tendency to disempower patients. The goal of “You, the Empowered Patient” is to help patients reclaim their power.    

Organize your Wellness Journey

Being empowered means taking charge of your medical challenge. Puja Thomson said, “As a competent adult, it is your legal responsibility to make decisions, not anyone else, including your doctor.” The audience received three handouts to help them organize their wellness journey. The first handout stressed the importance of preparing for a medical appointment and gave guidelines. The second suggested questions to ask your doctor during annual health visits. The third offered questions to ask your doctor when you don’t feel well, such as, “What is my diagnosis? What is my treatment? What should I do if symptoms worsen? Should I have a follow up appointment?” My Hope & Focus Organizer, by Puja Thomson, is a tool to simplify, track and support all aspects of your cancer experience. Puja Thomson is working on an updated version applicable to any illness.

Discussion

The audience shared experiences and difficulties they have with their doctors and insurance companies. One of the audience members spoke about feeling intimidated when doctors used jargon they couldn’t understand. One attendee mentioned their grievance with the lack of communication between their doctors. It is important to speak up and ask your doctor to slow down and talk so that you can understand. Puja Thomson said, “Sometimes you must decide if a doctor who is impolite, but skilled, is right for you.” Audience members described feeling disempowered by insurance companies. Puja Thomson advised the audience to use their support system to help them read forms, “Do not sign anything you do not understand.” Consider your perspective on health care and what approach to medicine you are comfortable with. Healing depends on attitude, and your attitude improves when you trust your doctor.

Support Systems

         Support systems are essential to your wellness journey. “Don’t go it alone,” Puja Thomson passed on helpful advice she often received. You are especially vulnerable when you go to the doctor’s office feeling sick. It’s important to feel grounded. Having someone with you at an appointment can help you interpret what your doctor says and relieve the shock of a diagnosis. Several attendees spoke about their good experience with the apothecary in Saugerties as a support system in their community.

Intuition

 Western culture stresses the use of reason and logic; intuition is often ignored. Trust yourself. Consider your own opinions as well as those of professionals, friends and family. Puja Thomson asked, “How much do you trust your intuition in determining the type of treatment and doctor that is right for you?” The responses varied, but everyone agreed on the importance of self-advocacy. To be an empowered patient you must be your own advocate. 

Picture taken with permission of audience members

Further Reading List:

How Doctors Think, by Jerome Groopman

After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing, a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your way, by Puja Thomson

My Hope & Focus Organizer, by Puja Thomson

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Upcoming Event: "You, the Empowered Patient."

Puja Thomson, founder of Roots & Wings, will lead the discussion, "You the Empowered Patient," on October 15th, 2012, at the Saugerties public library at 6pm. Her presentation is designed to empower us to create and manage our journey to wellness.

Topics include:

• Navigating the medical community / system

• What to expect from your physician & how to help your physician help you

• Second and third opinions

• Choosing from conventional, complementary and alternative therapies

• Organizing the paper trail, medical record-keeping, billing, insurance & advance

   directives

• Developing a support community

• Creating your wellness program

Puja Thomson's My Hope & Focus Organizer, will be presented as a resource for coordinating your wellness program efficiently. Puja Thomson's books will be available for purchase at this event. 

 We hope to see you there!

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings