02/01: Agency’s Fraser Valley Centre launches 8-week program for young women diagnosed with cancer Big “C” Sisterhood to provide additional support for young women The BC Cancer Agency – an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority – is launching a new, eight-week skill-building and support program to help young women who have been diagnosed with cancer. The program begins February 21 and will be held Tuesday evenings from six to eight p.m. at the BC Cancer Agency’s Fraser Valley Centre in Surrey. About 22 percent of all women diagnosed with cancer are under the age 50, and about six percent are under the age of 40. This group of women has different informational needs, and face different post-treatment issues than older women. Young women are defined as pre-menopausal or having elementary school-age children. “Younger women tell us that the traditional support group format with older group members and a greater emphasis on providing emotional support – isn’t meeting their needs, partly because the issues young women face are different, and partly because younger women tend to be more education-focused,” says Dr. Joanne Stephen, facilitator of the eight-week program. “Younger women have questions around dating, sexuality, how to tell employers and co-workers about their illness, how to manage a household with young children, and how to juggle home and career life. “They want practical information from healthcare professionals and from their peers that is going to improve their lives. Many young women say, ‘this has been an absolutely devastating experience, but I want the skills to climb out of this, and look to the future.” Denise Graham, a 38-year high-school English teacher, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. She will join the first group of young women on February 21, and she is looking forward to learning some effective strategies for coping. “I’m a young woman. I know my life can’t stop just because I’ve had this disease, but I need strategies to deal with the fear of recurrence, feelings of not measuring up as a wife and daughter, and finding my new normal after cancer.” Stephen, a clinician and a researcher whose work focuses on young women and cancer, says that many young women have never spoken about their experiences with cancer to anyone. “The literature tells us that if these young women don’t find an outlet, and share their experiences with others, there’s a higher rate of emotional distress. It’s important for their quality of life that they have options for enhancing their coping skills and sharing with other young women in the same boat.”  “That’s why the Agency is launching this program, and encouraging women to join the Big C Sisterhood support group,” says Joanne. The Big C Sisterhood support group will be an informal social group run by young women with cancer living in the Fraser Valley. It’s a way for young women to continue to meet after the eight-week program. “We’re going to meet every couple of weeks in coffee shops, women’s homes, or plan activities together,” says 31-year-old Vanessa Turke, a group organizer, and a breast cancer survivor. “It’s a way to maintain friendships after taking the eight-week program. “The emotional effects of cancer linger for years. As a newly-diagnosed cancer patient, you’re so overwhelmed and focused on getting through the treatment, but when you’re done with the physical battle, you realize there’s this whole other battle of emotions you need to address, and it’s so wonderful to have this sisterhood – women who have been there, too – by your side.” During the eight-week program, Stephen and co-facilitator Dr. Glynis Marks will cover eight themes: developing good coping skills; goal setting; relaxation; ways of thinking and mindfulness; communicating with family, friends and co-workers; signature strengths (qualities others admire in you which you can think about, and practice when you might be feeling hopeless); sexuality; and healthy lifestyles. Women will receive a workbook with exercises they can keep up with at home. Future plans include placing the workbook on the Agency’s website for the benefit of all patients. Stephen emphasizes that the eight-week program is not a counselling program, but a learning and coaching program to give young women the strength and confidence to set goals for the future. “It’s a unique approach to helping patients overcome traumatic situations,” says Stephen. “Rather than reflecting on the past, it’s about coaching people on how to get the most out of their lives after a devastating life experience.” The BC Cancer Agency’s Fraser Valley Centre is located at 13750 96th Avenue in Surrey (next to the Surrey Memorial Hospital site). To register, please call 604.930.4000 before February 17th, and ask to speak with Dr. Joanne Stephen. If you’re interested in joining the Big “C” Sisterhood Club, please contact bigcsisters@hotmail.com, or Vanessa Turke at 604.657.6329. The BC Cancer Agency, a part 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 supports research and care enhancements at the BC Cancer Agency. About the eight-week program facilitators: Dr. Joanne Stephen Dr. Joanne Stephen is a researcher and clinician with the BC Cancer Agency. Her work focuses on psychosocial interventions to help cancer patients and their family members cope with a diagnosis of cancer. She runs the Relaxation and Support Group at the BC Cancer Agency’s Fraser Valley Centre, and is currently studying the benefits of teaching stress management strategies for patients going through chemotherapy treatment, and online patient support groups. She worked closely with the young women’s group The Young and the Breastless which she credits for inspiring this new skills and support group. Dr. Glynis Marks Dr. Glynis Marks is a registered psychologist experienced in facilitating psychoeducational patient groups with various medical conditions. In her role as community education counsellor with the BC Cancer Agency, she is interested in developing psychoeducational materials that will benefit health professionals working with cancer patients. For more information, please contact: Papinder Rehncy Public Relations BC Cancer Agency 604.877.6261 prehncy@bccancer.bc.caSOURCE:02/01: Agency’s Fraser Valley Centre launches 8-week program for young women diagnosed with cancer (http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/ ABCCA/ NewsCentre/ NewsArchive/ 2006/ youngwomensupportgroup.htm). Page printed:2010/9/9. Unofficial document if printed. Please refer to SOURCE for latest information. Copyright ©2010 BC Cancer Agency. All Rights Reserved.