Patient-Focused Event Explores Breast Cancer Survivorship Issues

Cincinnati—Hormone therapy, decreased libido, self-consciousness and worries of recurrence are some of the frustrating challenges women face after surviving breast cancer.

The University of Cincinnati (UC) breast oncology team invites women dealing with these issues to attend a free educational seminar on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to noon designed to help individuals face these complications and enjoy a fulfilling life after cancer.
 

The event, “Reclaiming Control: Life After Breast Cancer—A Patient’s Perspective,” will focus on long-term survivorship issues and quality of life.

“Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can be both physically and psychologically challenging for women of any age,” says Elizabeth Shaughnessy, MD, PhD, associate professor of surgery at UC and oncologic surgeon at the UC Barrett Cancer Center at University Hospital. “Advances in medicine have allowed us to detect breast cancer earlier in more treatable stages. But it also means women must deal with long-term survivorship issues that can be frustrating to both them and their families.”

The event includes local and national experts who will discuss prominent survivorship issues, including:

• Rekindling sexuality after breast cancer, presented by Mary Hughes, a psychiatry nurse with the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

• Managing life with hormone therapy, presented by Harold Burnstein, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medical oncology with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and

• The role of hereditary risk factors, presented by Henry Lynch, MD, chair of preventive medicine and public health at Creighton University School of Medicine.

“Every woman deserves a happy, healthy life after cancer,” says Elyse Lower, MD, a medical oncologist and adjunct professor of medical oncology. “This seminar is a way for us to help give local women the tools they need to do just that.”

Individuals interested in registering for the event should contact Danielle Arand at (513) 636-7226 or danilelle.arand@cchmc.org. Continental breakfast will be provided to registered attendees.