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AYA Workshop Happening This Week in Toronto - Video Clip!

The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Task Force have organized an international workshop in Toronto, March 11-13. Survivors from our community have come from across the country to meet with health care professionals to examine the unique challenges and issues facing cancer patients and survivors in this age group and developing recommendations including priority areas for research.

Check out this news clip from Canada AM this morning!

Way to go Mikey and Frédérique!

Posted on Mar 11, 2010 - 10:11 PM by Lesley

Young cancer survivors seek support

CBC News

“Young Canadians with cancer say they’re falling through the cracks of a health-care system designed for older patients.

Adolescent and young adult cancer patients, survivors and cancer specialists are meeting at an international workshop in Toronto that started Thursday.

“They kind of don’t believe that we do get cancer,” said Frédérique Denis of Montreal, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at age 28 and finished treatment in January.

Her doctor and a surgeon initially told her a lump probably meant nothing. “It’s usually, ‘Oh, it’s nothing, it’s nothing,’ and it leads to delays in diagnosis.”

To read more about Frédérique cancer journey please click here.

Posted on Mar 11, 2010 - 09:30 PM by Lesley

Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients ‘Falling Through the Cracks’

Newswire

“Canada’s cancer care system is not meeting the unique needs of young cancer patients. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors often ‘fall through the cracks’ of a system that focuses on cancer in children or adults, but does not provide specialized care for this in-between group. To understand why and develop solutions, an international group of young survivors and cancer specialists will come together in Toronto.”

To read the full article on the AYA cancer conference in Toronto please click here.

Posted on Mar 11, 2010 - 07:53 PM by Lesley

‘My Voice’ - A survivors story

By Paula McCoy, Voices of Survivors

“…Seeing so many beside me, going through all avenues of cancer, all ages, I then accepted this detour and changes to my body- physically and emotionally. I charged full steam ahead, wanting to get this done and over with. The good and bad days were cushioned by my family and friends (some friends I had lost because they couldn’t understand or face the fact I had cancer).”

…”From this experience, I have become stronger, wiser, happier and more understanding. It has also brought me a very special person, the love of my life who also experienced cancer and traveled the same road.”

To read more about Paula’s experience with breast cancer please click here.

Posted on Mar 11, 2010 - 03:12 PM by Lesley

Edmonton Info Session: Sexuality, Intimacy & Cancer

Monday, April 5, 2010
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

The Cross Cancer Institute (Zane Feldman Auditorium) is having an Information Session titled: Sexuality, Intimacy and Cancer, by John Robinson, Ph.D Clinical Psychology and Exercising for Improved Health by Jeff Vallance PhD

Patients and family members are invited to attend.
There is no charge, but seating is limited and you must pre-register to attend.

To register for this session, please call (780) 432-8205.

Co-presented by the Patient Education Department of Cross Cancer Institute, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) , Ovarian Cancer Canada, Roche Oncology and the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Posted on Mar 10, 2010 - 02:57 PM by Lesley

International Conference for YA Breast Cancer Survivors

2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the only international conference dedicated to the critical issues of young breast cancer survivors and those who care about them. Nearly 1,000 young breast cancer survivors, caregivers and medical professionals from around the world are expected to attend the 10th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer, to be held Friday, Feb. 26-Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Ga.

One in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer is younger than 45 when diagnosed, yet their emotional and medical concerns are different than those of women over age 45, as is the impact of their diagnosis on family, friends, partners, colleagues and children. Fertility concerns and the possibility of treatment-induced early menopause are just two examples of the issues young women face.

To read this full article on the International Conference for young women affected by breast cancer click here.

Posted on Feb 22, 2010 - 09:16 PM by Lesley

Understanding the Needs of Young Adult Cancer Survivors

A Clinical Perspective:

‘Young cancer survivors are often unprepared to face the complexities of adjusting to post-treatment life.They may be pleased that treatment is ending but worried about losing the support, security, and scrutiny provided by their healthcare team. Uncertainty about the prognosis for long-term, cancer-free survival often threatens their sense of control, emotional well-being, functional adjustment, and omfort with future planning. Many feel isolated, mistrust their bodies, and must adjust to an altered self-image as well as changes in relationships and sexual functioning. It can be daunting to deal with physical late effects, challenges to daily living, and employment and insurance issues. Using direct quotations from young cancer survivors, this article shares their special perspective and provides guidance as to their informational, practical, and psychosocial needs.’

To read this full article on the needs of young adult cancer survivors please click here.

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By Rachel Odo, LCSW,  Clinical Oncology Social Worker,  CancerCare, Inc. New York, New York; Clarissa Potter, LCSW,  Clinical Oncology Social Worker, Manager, Quality of Care Initiative, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York | October 8, 2009

Posted on Feb 17, 2010 - 02:12 PM by Lesley

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