There are numerous stories, facts and figures about cancer and its impact on people, including their families and friends. While we might want to wish cancer away or ignore it, that’s not the best approach. We should learn about it, talk about it, and take action to be ready when it arrives at our door. And in one way or another it will arrive. That is why I attended the Public Conference on Cancer.
The conference was organized by the Public Interest Group on Cancer, led by Dr. Sevtap Savas a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University. Held on October 15, 2022 it included presentations on topics such as cancer care, hereditary cancer, childhood cancer, and cancer screening. Other topics included social, financial and other support services for individuals affected by cancer.
Let’s face it, most of us have experienced, or will experience, the pain and grief of cancer. It could happen to a mother, father, sibling, niece, nephew, or a friend. The list goes on. Cancer hits hard when it’s someone you love – or it’s you. My sisters have beaten it. They are among the first people I know who benefitted from an early diagnosis. My beautiful niece fought very hard against triple negative breast cancer, but lost her fight at the age of 36. She left behind a grieving family including two young children. Other people special to me continue to fight.
To better understand what drew me to the Public Conference on Cancer, I need to say a bit about my perspective and interest. While I have not had a cancer diagnosis, I’m being monitored for prostate cancer; the blunt reality for men over 50. Over the last few years, I’ve also learned through personal experience about the risks associated with Cancer Predisposition Syndrome (CPS). That’s a scary title! It means that people can have a greater risk of developing some cancers because of a mutation in their gene structure. It’s part of their heredity – past and future. My gene mutation is RAD51C which I’m still trying to get my mind around. I also participate in the FIT screening program for colon cancer.
Finally, and important for me, I’ve had the wonderful experience of being a Patient Partner in healthcare research on genetic-related cancers, among other topics. I’ll use this opportunity to thank the good people at NL SUPPORT and my colleagues on their Patient Advisory Council. Through their help and guidance over the last six years, I’ve increased my knowledge of health and healthcare research.
Having attended many conferences over the years, I find that you never quite know what you will get when you sign up. This is particularly true for healthcare and medical conferences. For a lay person, some presentations can scramble your brain with medical terms, jargon, and academic research findings and processes. But the word “public” drew me to this one. I had high hopes for simplicity, good news, and most importantly good information. I got it. Many thanks to those who brought their personal stories; some with heart-warming passion, and some with pain and grief. Those stories will stay with me for a long time. Personal note: when you attend a conference on cancer, you have to accept that it can trigger memories of grief, sadness, and even anger. It did that to me.
Based on my perspective, I learned many things from the conference. I emphasize that these are things I learned. I’m sure everyone took away their own memories and learnings based on several factors, including where they live, their culture, gender identity, and their own cancer experience – positive and negative. I hope everyone took away information they can use in their lives.
Here are the top five things I learned:
1. Cancer patients and their families have to be their own advocates for diagnosis, treatment and support. You can’t rely on others to do it for you.
2. Cancer patients are not alone! There are many healthcare professionals to help patients and their families with their needs, including physical, social, and spiritual. Government and non-government programs, services and other resources are also available.
3. Two important areas of cancer research are early detection, and the role of gene and genomics in cancer (e.g., CPS).
4. Cancer screening is critical for early detection and treatment especially breast, colon, prostate and cervical cancer.
5. Don’t pass off symptoms. Talk to a healthcare professional about them.
Thanks to all those who organized, participated in and funded the conference. A special thanks to those who shared their personal stories. While it might not have been easy, please know that it added greatly to the value of the conference.
I hope these public conferences continue. After all, knowledge is power. We all need to be ready when cancer comes to our door.
Thanks for reading. Have a great day!
Disclaimer: Guest blogs are the purposes of education and/or sharing perspectives. The information shared by bloggers should not be interpreted as medical advice. All health information should be discussed with your health care provider.
Drs. Teri Stuckles and Sevtap Savas will moderate the Public Conference on Cancer.
Dr. Stuckless is a radiation oncologist, assistant professor at Discipline of Oncology, and the Clinical chief of the Provincial Cancer Care program in NL.
Dr. Savas is a cancer researcher, geneticist, and professor at Biomedical Sciences at MUN.
Our moderators have a long term and productive collaboration; are actively involved in the Conference organization; and are looking forward to leding the Conference on October 15th.
Scott Antle and Gregory Doyle are health administrators at Eastern Health that oversee important cancer screening programs offered to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Cancer screening services are offered to eligible individuals. By making it possible to early detect the tumors or cancerous tissues, they help inform individuals regarding their cancer risk.
Please talk to you physician to learn whether you are eligible for and can benefit from the cancer screening programs in NL.
Thank you Scott and Gregory for speaking about this important topic in the Public Conference on Cancer.
We are beyond delighted that Lorie Kielley, M.N., B.N., and Shirley Fagan, R.N. have accepted to speak about the cancer patient navigator program in the Public Conference on Cancer.
Lorie and Shirley support and help cancer patients navigate their way during their cancer care journey.
Their work is very important and we heard nothing but excellent comments regarding the cancer patient navigators.
Thanks Lorie and Shirley for joining us to talk about your very important and appreciated work!
We are excited that Beth Snow – the director of the Provincial Cancer Care Program serving the cancer patients in Newfoundland and Labrador – is joining us as a speaker in the Public Conference on Cancer!
Beth is a dedicated cancer care administrator in our province.
Paula Newhook is one of the social workers providing important service and support to cancer patients and families in the province.
The oncology social work program is a part of the Provincial Cancer Care Program – to learn about this important program and services offered to the patients & families, please check their website: https://cancercare.easternhealth.ca/
We thank Paula for speaking in the Public Conference on Cancer on this very important topic!
I have been a cancer researcher in this province for almost 14 years, but I must say I was always confused about these two very important provincial cancer care-related organizations: the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation and the Provincial Cancer Care Program.
They both have many beneficial activities and support to cancer patients and families in NL. But, what is the difference?
I think I have finally got some clarity around this. If I missed anything, please comment/correct!
For example, the Foundation not only raises funds/money for cancer care, education, and patient and family support, but it also directly supports patients, families, and kids through two financial support programs https://cancercarefoundation.ca/get-support/. Check out their website for further info – a truly astonishing work and support shown to our residents through generosity of many donors. Thank you folks!
Please talk to you doctor if you or someone you know can benefit from these programs.
Whether you are a patient, have a family member or someone you know with cancer, the Cancer Care Foundation and the Provincial Cancer Care Program may bring relief to you and/or other affected individuals.
Till next time.
Sevtap Savas, PhD. July 23, 2022 St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
I am really very excited about this opportunity and being able to represent/advocate for cancer patients and families from across Canada, and represent our province, Newfoundland and Labrador, in this professional organization!
CAPO focuses on promoting psychological and social care for cancer patients and families, in Canada and beyond.
I have been a member of this organization since 2020. I became a CAPO member because I had a social oncology study to present in CAPO 2020 Conference, my first ever conference on social and psychological aspects of cancer. I have been learning a lot by attending the CAPO annual conferences and serving in CAPO’s committees since then. In addition to being appointed as a member of the Board, I also chair the CAPO’s Advocacy Committee.
Such memberships are important.
Representation is important.
Contributing to bigger causes and goals are important.
I am excited by the possibility that by contributing to CAPO’s mission, I will be able to contribute to wellness of cancer patients and families in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (and beyond).
I am confident that I will contribute generously and provide fresh perspectives to the Board of CAPO.
In the mean time, if you are a patient or family member in Newfoundland and Labrador, you may want to check the Provincial Cancer Care program services, for example the oncology social worker program. There are other programs that you or your family members may benefit from.
Until next time,
Sevtap Savas, PhD. May 26, 2022 St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Spring feels great in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador!