Education Day Helps Patients and Families Cope With Cancer

CINCINNATI

—The University of Cincinnati (UC) will host its third annual Community Cancer Education Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Marriott Kingsgate Conference Hotel,

The community-wide event is designed to provide the public with the latest information about preventing, detecting and treating all types of cancer.

This year’s event has been expanded to include sessions aimed specifically at helping patients and their families deal with the day-to-day challenges of a cancer diagnosis. “Taking the Cancer Journey with Someone You Love” (2:45 p.m.), led by Bonnie Crawford of the Wellness Community, will offer caregivers suggestions on maintaining their own health while caring for someone else. The session will also explore the patient-caregiver relationship and offer helpful resources.

Dan Gahl, administrator of UC Physicians practice group, and Janeen Coyle from 103.5 FM will lead a session on “The Economics of Cancer” (1:15 p.m.) to help newly diagnosed cancer patients navigate the sometimes complicated financial aspects of the health care system. This session will offer practical tips from patients, hospital administrators and insurance representatives.

William Barrett, MD, director of UC’s division of radiation oncology and organizer of the event, says Cancer Education Day is for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer—whether that person is fighting a personal battle against the disease, providing care to a loved one or simply evaluating his or her risks.

“We want to give people the information they need to make educated—and empowered—decisions about their cancer care and recovery,” Barrett explains. “Part of that is knowing they can get great cancer care right here in Cincinnati.”

On the first floor, attendees will be able to talk one-on-one throughout the day with local cancer experts and take advantage of video presentations, question-and-answer sessions and topical exhibit booths covering such issues as nutrition and environmental carcinogens.

On the second floor will be interactive group discussions about the most prominent cancers: breast (10 a.m.), lung (11:45 a.m.), colon and rectal (noon), and prostate (2 p.m.). Led by a panel of physicians and researchers, these sessions will focus on all aspects of the disease—including new research and survivorship issues.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 1.4 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2006. More than 61,000 of them will be from Ohio.

Cancer Education Day is made possible with support from University Hospital, Western and Southern Life Insurance, WKRC-TV/Local 12, American Cancer Society, Ohio National Financial Services, the Henry and Susan Lurie Fund for Cancer Education and the Ralph and Carol Hale Foundation.

Complimentary parking will be available under the Marriott Hotel.

For more information, visit www.uccancereducationday.org or call (513) 584-9097. Registration is not required, but requested.