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04/04: Moving forward after cancer
BC Cancer Agency’s Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum addresses issues faced by survivors and the latest in research and care
Coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment is no doubt difficult, but the aftermath of surviving the disease often comes with a new set of challenges.
As Michael Kleisinger, a 29 year old cancer survivor, puts matter of factly, “My life cannot go back to the way it was. My outlook on life has changed.”
“I used to think that my energy was limitless and I could accomplish everything in due time. But that’s simply no longer the case,” says Kleisinger, who was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in 2002 when he was beginning his second year of law school at the University of British Columbia. “Even after finishing treatment, your battle with cancer becomes a daily challenge. The stress increases closer to your 'check-up', and any illness makes you second guess your body, and your body's ability to fight illness.”
“Survivors often feel as if they have been ‘dropped in a void,’ and are unsure of how to navigate the recovery process,” says Dr. Sherri Magee, who co-authored the book, Picking up the Pieces: Moving Forward After Surviving Cancer, and has designed and conducted cancer recovery programs for more than 17 years. “They are exhausted, overwhelmed with fears of recurrence, struggling to mange the side effects of treatment, and trying to make sense of the experience.”
The unique issues and challenges faced by cancer survivors are a focus of this year’s BC Cancer Agency’s Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum, taking place on April 13 in Vancouver. Magee and Kleisinger, now a successful Vancouver lawyer, will talk about survivorship and coping with cancer respectively. A team of experts will also cover topics including, lymphoid cancer basics, emerging therapies, caregiving and research.
“Recent advances in treatment such as new targeted therapies have improved cure rates for lymphoma and are extending survival for patients with this disease,” says Dr. Laurie Sehn, a BC Cancer Agency medical oncologist. “Therefore issues with respect to survivorship, including ongoing medical care, and general health and well-being are becoming more relevant.”
Lymphoma is the fifth most common cancer in Canada, and there is an estimated 1,000 new cases of lymphoma annually in B.C. with a three percent annual increase in incidence.
Lymphoid cancers include Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Hodgkins Lymphoma, Mulitple Myeloma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia.
The BC Cancer Agency’s Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum will be held on April 13 at the Plaza 500 Hotel, 500 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As space is limited, please register by contacting 604.877.6000 ext. 2194 or pskolly@bccancer.bc.ca. There is a $15 fee that includes lunch and refreshments. If financial restrictions keep you from attending, funding is available. The forum is sponsored by the BC Cancer Foundation, Lymphoma Foundation of Canada, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Roche.
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.
For more information, please contact:
Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
604.877.6272
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca
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