Lymphoid cancer is the fifth most common form of cancer, and includes Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. It has the fastest growth rate in North America, increasing at three percent each year. Yet public knowledge of this disease is limited.
When 70-year-old John Auston, a retired mining executive, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma six and a half years ago, he wasn’t sure what lymphoid cancer was.
“A huge learning process was involved and I began by attending a conference in Los Angeles, followed by continuous research through books and the internet,” says Auston. “But after a while, I reduced the effort significantly.”
“I simply did not have the medical background to absorb the literature I was reading,” says Auston. “After attending my first BC Cancer Agency Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum in 2003, I realized that the doctors put in a huge effort to distill the medical literature for people like me so that I can stay informed. This has become an important resource to me.”
This year’s Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum will be held on April 26, and attendees will learn about lymphoid cancer basics, new treatments, survivorship, support for caregivers and more.
“Most people are not aware of lymphoid cancer until they are diagnosed with it,” says Dr. Laurie Sehn, BC Cancer Agency medical oncologist. “It is an area of extremely active scientific and clinical research. Anyone can be affected and the more we appreciate the underlying biology of these disorders, the better we will be at individualizing treatment for our patients. The Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum is a way for us to get recent information out to the public.”
Dr. Sehn will be a speaker at this year’s Forum and will be giving attendees an overview on what’s new with lymphoid cancer.
“Research in this field is continuously changing,” says Dr. Sehn. “Treatment options are increasing and our goal is to inform patients of these options so that we can provide them with the best treatment.”
Introducing the Forum this year will be The Hon. Sindi Hawkins, Deputy Speaker and MLA for Kelowna-Mission. “I enjoy sharing my story and giving hope to those with cancer, but it’s even more important that people attend these types of forums to learn from each other and to share their information,” says Hawkins. “It’s important to be updated on new trends and new directions in cancer research.”
The BC Cancer Agency’s Lymphoid Cancer Education Forum will be held on April 26 at the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, 675 West 10th Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost is $15 per person (includes refreshments and lunch). Space is limited and registration is required by April 22. To register, call 604.877.6000 ext. 2194 or 1.800.663.3333 ext. 2194. If financial restrictions keep you from attending, funding is available.
The forum is sponsored by the Lymphoma Foundation Canada, BC Cancer Foundation, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
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.