Vancouver - Health care professionals and cancer survivors from B.C. will gather in Vancouver to look at issues affecting cancer survivors. The 250 participants at the Living Well With Cancer Conference will discuss sexuality and interpersonal relationships, preventing fatigue and keeping energy levels up, pain management, exercise and nutrition. The conference runs March 3 to 4 and is sponsored in part by the BC Cancer Agency.

Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, vice-president, regional services (Vancouver), BC Cancer Agency, says half of all cancer patients now survive five years or longer because of improved treatments. "But, with successful treatment comes a whole host of other physical and emotional hurdles for patients," he adds. "You don't just walk away from it. Cancer changes your relationships, your perspective and can present many new emotional and physical challenges long after the treatments have ended. We need to design strategies to help survivors improve the quality of their lives so they can get back to being 'normal' again."

Fifty-three year old Wally Hild is one of several cancer survivors who will share their experiences. Six years ago, he underwent 8 months of aggressive chemotherapy for stage- 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Wally will speak about exercise, which he credits as playing an important part in his recovery, and "cancer-free" status. However, he still suffers long-term physical effects. The chemotherapy damaged the nerve endings in his fingers and toes and it was tough on his ligaments, particularly his heels and knees, so sometimes he struggles to finish a run. Despite the pain, he is in training for his second Iron Man competition this summer.

"Emotionally it was devastating for all of us -- my wife, son and daughter," says Wally. "Our family dynamics changed significantly when my wife became the main breadwinner and my teenage kids had to cope with my illness."

The cancer experience fundamentally changed how Wally lives his life. "I don't put things off anymore. Since my diagnosis, I've become an Iron Man, author, motivational speaker and songwriter."

Research on cancer survivors and their needs has become more prevalent over the last 10 years. The BC Cancer Agency's Patient and Family Counselling Department is part of a national network of cancer research organizations looking at issues of cancer survivorship as part of the National Cancer Institute of Canada's (NCIC) Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network. The Agency is also participating in a research study about childhood survivors of cancer and conducting an assessment of the information and support needs of cancer survivors in the West Kootenay Boundary area.

Both health care professionals and cancer survivors will participate equally in the conference. "Everyone at this conference is an expert," says Dr. Sutcliffe. "The oncologist, nurse, pharmacist, social worker and nutritionist all have different knowledge skills. But the person who really understands the journey is the one who's had the experience."

Proceedings of the conference, including practical tips for cancer survivors, will be available on the BC Cancer Agency's website (www.bccancer.bc.ca) in May.

Conference co-sponsors include Janssen-Ortho Inc., the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Look Good Feel Better Program (a program of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association).

Conference speakers will be available for media interviews. To arrange for an interview or to attend the conference, please call BCCA Public Relations at (604) 877-6098, local 2378. Please note, this conference is by invitation only.

The Living Well with Cancer Conference is preceded by a public forum on living with cancer presented by Hope House on March 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sheraton Wall Centre, downtown Vancouver. Four medical experts from Canada and the U.S. will present an overview on developments in cancer care. To register for the free forum, please call 731-4673.