Event Calendar
2017 Cancer Survivorship Symposium
January 27, 2017 - January 28, 2017
Helping Cancer Survivors on Their Journeys
I’m excited to be attending the second annual conference on cancer survivorship. There are more than 12 million cancer survivors living in the United States and this symposium is the beginning of a more active focus on support for cancer survivors after they complete their treatment.
General sessions will focus on…
- Genetic findings in survivorship
- Community-based models of survivorship care
- Professional society support, and
- Insights of health care providers on coping with cancer
Cancer Survivorship Needs More Focus
I attended the inaugural Suvivorship Symposium in 2016 and learned a great deal. I’m certain this year will be even better.
One of the great needs for cancer survivors is a detailed survivorship plan that details the things that need to be done to maximize survivorship changes and have the best possible quality of life.
A survivorship plan should contain a complete record of a patient’s cancer history and recommendations for follow-up care. The plan also should define the responsibilities of all care providers that will participate – cancer-related, non-cancer-related, psychosocial providers – and the cancer patients themselves.
Having a plan like this clearly shows who is responsible for the various aspects of care can optimize care coordination, avoids unnecessary use of resources, and ensures that care does not “fall through the cracks.”
Patients should have copy of their care plan that they can share with their primary care providers and other healthcare providers throughout life.
Just as important, every cancer survivor should have what I call my personal cancer battle plan. In my case, it includes three elements: mental outlook, a structured exercise program, and a nutritional element designed to keep my weight in check. One of our goals here at the Cancer Journeys Foundation is to create a cancer battle plan template that survivors can use to create and implement their personal plans.
I would enjoy connecting with other cancer survivors and advocates who will be attending this year’s Cancer Suvivorship Symposium. I’m very interested in the challenges cancer survivors are facing and what practical steps we can take to support them after treatment.
You can reach me by email at Robert.Hess @ CancerJourneysFoundation.org or through our vCita popup window here on the website.
Robert
CJF Founder Robert Hess
Cancer Hates a Healthy Body – So, Let's Just Do IT®
We all know Nike's famous slogan to get off the couch and do something. That slogan is especially appropriate for cancer survivors because diet and exercise are the two key factors that every cancer survivor controls.
Cancer hates a fit body because a fit body has an active immune system that works 24 x 7 to keep cancer cells from developing and spreading.
Walking
Walking is the easiest and least expensive exercise program you can find. All you need to do is to put on your most comfortable shoes – other than those cushy slippers – and head out the door.
It's always easier to walk with someone else. So, we're creating walking events where cancer survivors can meet, walk, and inspire each other.
Bicycling
It seems that every health commercial you see on television shows someone bicycling. And for good reason. Almost all of us learned to bicycle at an early age. Bicycling is easy, pretty inexpensive [we'll show you how in another post], and a great way to see some scenery as you get in those exercise minutes.
Virtually every community has a local bicycle shop that would love to connect you with a local bicycle club that will be delighted to welcome you aboard and get you started.
Health officials are encouraging staying in during the early COVID-19 period (we are writing this in early May 2020) so we are creating a weekly program of indoor cycling using the Zwift indoor cycling app. Please check our event schedule for our weekly ride.
Stay well!
