Conference Agenda

10:00-10:45 AM — SESSION TWO

2.1. New Treatments for Breast Cancer-Targeted Therapy
Hyman Muss, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

The purpose of this discussion will be to address new treatments targeted against breast cancers, including agents that block proteins that cause cancer to grow and spread. We will also discuss drugs that prevent cancer cells from growing blood vessels, and other new strategies. The role of clinical trials and the potential role of new drugs as additions to current treatments will also be addressed in this talk.

2.2. Is Clinical Research the Right Thing for Me to Participate in for My Breast Cancer?
Dennis Sanders, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

In this talk, we will review the past 30 years of progress in breast cancer research, as well as describe clinical trials design and goals.

2.3. Screening for Breast Cancer
Marie Wood, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

There are differences between screening for a low-risk person and a high-risk person. These modalities will be discussed along with the options and efficacy of breast cancer prevention.

2.4. The Many Faces of Metastatic Disease: A Panel Presentation
Facilitator: Rose Colletti, PhD

This workshop will address the experiences of women who are living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Their message is one of HOPE and OPTIMISM. They wish to share their stories with newly diagnosed survivors, medical providers and families and friends of all breast cancer survivors.

2.5. How Radiation Therapy Can be Used in the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Richard Lovett, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

Radiation therapy is one of multiple tools that can be used to treat breast cancer. Appropriate candidates can choose to have breast conservation therapy to treat their tumor. This means lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy to try to kill any cancer cells remaining in the breast. This is referred to as adjuvant radiation therapy, and is very common. This treatment is used instead of a mastectomy for persons with certain stages of breast cancer. Radiation can also be used to focus on specific sites of metastatic disease to inhibit cell growth in the bone or other sites in the body.

2.6. The National Library of Medicine: Reliable Health Information For You
Donna Berryman

In today's world, you need all the freely available, reliable health information you can get your hands on. The National Library of Medicine is working to put that information at your fingertips — FREE! Come learn how to access and use it. PubMed and Medline Plus are amazing online resources. Both are free — no registration, no subscription, no spam, no pop-up ads!

2.7. Share Your Story
Facilitators: Margie Cole, MSW and Sally Mattson, MA

Share Your Story sessions are informal, each with a facilitator. What has cancer taught you? Do you have some encouragement for fellow travelers on this cancer journey? Come and share, for 2-3 minutes, your words of wisdom, spiritual gifts, advice for patients, and lessons for health care providers; or simply come and listen. You may also post your entire story on the conference Web site. See the Share Your Story section for instructions.

2.8. Living with Cancer — A Christian Approach
Brent Devenney, RN, OCN, MDiv

Along with a cancer diagnosis come many questions. Many of these questions (perhaps the most important ones) are spiritual in nature. The goal of this session is to see how the Christian faith addresses some of these spiritual questions and to provide some practical advice for "Living" with cancer.

2.9. Paddle Your Way to Recovery
Linda Dyer

Come learn about our unique support group where the focus is on living, not on the disease. We've discovered dragon boating! Find out why breast cancer survivors have embraced this paddling sport. No age limit or athletic experience is necessary. All you need is a desire to be a part of a team of breast cancer survivors working together in a fun, health-giving, life-affirming activity.

2.10. Vermont Collaborative on Health and the Environment
Facilitator: Patricia O'Brien MD

Multiple organizations around the state are working on this complex issue from diverse perspectives. Dr. O'Brien will be facilitating a panel discussion with representatives from these non-profits concerned about human health and environmental health.

2.11. COFFEE CHAT - Supporting Patients Through Cancer Treatment: The Role of the Social Worker in the Care Team
Stephanie Fraser, MSW

Stephanie Fraser will talk about the many challenges that face someone going through care treatment and recovery and how a social worker is an integral part of that care at many stages along the way.

2.12. COFFEE CHAT - Treatment's Over... What Now?
Kathleen McBeth, MA

This chat focuses on looking at emotional well-being after breast cancer treatment.

2.13. Yoga Session
Theora Ward, RN, MEd, CKYT

These yoga classes are designed for women with cancer and can be adapted to the physical needs of each participant. Healing Yoga is part of a Mind/Body approach to healing and can ease both physical and emotional pain. It can foster a sense of calm and control during a cancer journey that can at times be stressful and seem out of control. Participants can sit in a chair or lie on a mat in whatever position is most comfortable to get the soothing and relaxing help that comes with meditation and deep breathing. Yoga sessions capped at 15 participants.

2.14. Fly Casting Workshop &mdash Casting for Recovery

This workshop takes place in the parking lot. Please meet near the Registration Table.

Printer-Friendly Version

Download a PDF of the agenda here.

Hyman B. Muss, MD

Hyman Muss is a Professor of Medicine and practices medical oncology at the Vermont Cancer Center at the UVM and Fletcher Allen. He is Co-Chair of this conference. Dr. Muss also participates on several national boards for the Cancer and Leukemia Group B and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dennis Sanders, MD

Dennis Sanders is a medical oncologist at the Vermont Center for Cancer Medicine. He is clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the UVM College of Medicine.

Marie Wood, MD

Marie Wood is a Professor of Medicine at the UVM College of Medicine. She is a Medical Oncologist in the Fletcher Allen Hematology/Oncology clinic and Director of the Familial Cancer Program at the UVM College of Medicine.

Rose Colletti, PhD

Rose Colletti is a staff psychologist in the Cancer Patient Support Program at Fletcher Allen. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, in Surgical Oncology at the UVM College of Medicine.

Richard Lovett, MD

Richard Lovett is Clinical Associate Professor at the UVM College of Medicine. He sees patients at Radiation Medicine Affiliates, Community Cancer Center at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. He is president of the VT-NH Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Donna Berryman

Donna Berryman is a librarian and Outreach and Education Coordinator for the New England region. She teaches librarians, health professionals, and others how to use the National Library of Medicine resources.

Margie Cole, MSW

Margie Cole is a member of the board of the VT-NH affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and is chair of the Education Committee. She is a social worker employed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in the Breast Care Center.

Sally Mattson, MA

Sally Mattson is a licensed Vermont psychologist practicing in Brattleboro. She is a breast cancer survivor and is currently writing a book of narratives based on her interviews with breast cancer survivors.

Brent C. Devenney, RN, BSN, OCN, MDiv

Brent Devenney is the Nursing Supervisor/Educator of the Vermont Cancer Center at Fletcher Allen. He also holds a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, and serves as Associate Pastor at Daybreak Community Church in Colchester.

Linda Dyer

Linda Dyer is a 13-year breast cancer survivor. She served as Executive Director of Bosom Buddies, a large support group in the New Jersey area. She is currently the Founder/Director of Dragonheart Vermont, a new kind of support group in Vermont where the focus is on living rather than on the disease. The group is incorporating the paddling sport of dragon boating into life after breast cancer.

Patricia O'Brien, MD

Patricia O'Brien trained at the UVM College of Medicine specializing in internal medicine. She currently provides lymphedema consultations at Fletcher Allen. She serves as Co-Chair of this conference and is on the grant committee for the VT-NH affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She has served on many boards including the Stowe Weekend of Hope, the VT-NH Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Cancer Patient Support Program. Dr. O'Brien is herself a 12-year breast cancer survivor.

Stephanie Fraser, MSW

Stephanie Fraser is a Social Worker, covering the outpatient clinic at Fletcher Allen's Hematology/Oncology clinic. In November of 2005, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During her treatment and recovery, she trained for the 100-mile bicycle ride to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and successfully finished the century ride in Philadelphia six months after completing chemotherapy.

Kathleen McBeth, MA

Kathleen McBeth is the full-time coordinator with the Cancer Patient Support Program in the Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Fletcher Allen. She is a Licensed Psychologist, and is a seven-year lymphoma survivor.

Theora Ward, RN, MEd, CKYT

Theora Ward holds a Master's degree in Special Education, is a Registered Nurse, and a Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor. She is a breast cancer survivor and is currently teaching yoga in both Burlington and Hinesburg. Her work includes special classes for women touched by cancer.

Information For

Share Your Story

Links

Contact Us