9:00-9:45 AM — SESSION ONE

• 1-1. Breast Cancer and Weight Gain: An Inevitable or Preventable Partnership? *
  Weight gain is common in breast cancer patients after diagnosis and, unfortunately, survivors who are overweight are more likely to have their cancer recur than thinner survivors. But is the weight gain inevitable or can you prevent it? This workshop will review why weight is likely to change during treatment and how diet and exercise behaviors can be monitored to manage unhealthy weight changes both during treatment and after.

  Jean Harvey-Berino, PhD, RD
  Dr. Harvey-Berino is a nationally recognized researcher and expert on the subjects of weight loss, obesity and nutrition, particularly Internet-based interventions for weight loss and weight maintenance. She is co-author of the award-winning book, The EatingWell Diet: Introducing the Vtrim Weight-loss Program. She holds BS and MS degrees in Nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University and a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Vermont.
• 1-2. Hormones and Breast Cancer: Blessing or Curse *
  Hormones play an important role in the development and treatment of breast cancer. The majority of breast cancers are hormone dependent. This review will explain how hormones work and how they can contribute to the development of breast cancers. Altering hormone function has been successfully used for developing treatment options for breast cancer patients. Traditional and newer hormonal treatments for hormone dependent breast cancer will be discussed.

  Christian Thomas, MD           
  Dr. Thomas is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He is in clinical practice in Burlington, Vermont at Vermont Center for Cancer Medicine and Blood Disorders.
• 1-3. Mammography Screening for Breast Cancer *
  This presentation will review some of the scientific evidence for mammography as a screening test, outline who should be screened and what this process entails and discuss some newer adjuncts to mammography for screening certain women.

  Sally Herschorn, MD
  Dr. Herschorn is the Medical Director of the Breast Imaging Division at Fletcher Allen Health Care and an Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
• 1-4. Ovarian Cancer Screening *
  This session will cover the current recommendations for screening in women at high risk for ovarian cancer and will discuss some prevention measurers for ovarian cancer.

  Cheung Wong, MD          
  Dr. Wong is the Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen Health Care and an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. His clinical practice includes screening women for gynecologic cancers and treating (both surgical and chemotherapy administration) women with gynecologic cancers. Dr. Wong is currently involved in clinical and basic science research, including researching the etiology of ovarian cancer with colleagues at the Vermont Cancer Center.
• 1-5. Paddle Your Way to Recovery and Feel Alive
  Come learn about our unique support group where the focus is on living, not on the disease. We are Dragonheart Vermont. We've discovered dragon boating! Find out why breast cancer survivors have embraced this paddling sport. No age limit or athletic experience is necessary. You just need a desire to be a part of a team of breast cancer survivors working together in a fun, health-giving, life-affirming activity. We also believe in community-building through our Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival. Find out how you can be apart of Burlington’s favorite summertime event.

  Linda Dyer
  Linda is a 15-year breast cancer survivor. She is currently the Founder and Executive Director of Dragonheart Vermont. It is a breast cancer support organization here in Vermont where the focus is on living rather than the disease. The group is incorporating the paddling sport of dragon boating into life after breast cancer. Linda is also the Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival. This favorite summertime event gets the entire community out dragon boat racing for fun, fitness, and fundraising. The festival has raised over $175,000 in the last three years for cancer-related causes right here in our Vermont community.
• 1-6. Menopause in the Context of Breast Cancer *
  An overview of menopausal issues specific to breast cancer treatment.

  Robin Hayden, NP
  Robin Hayden is an Adult Nurse Practitioner working in the Breast Care Center/Surgical Oncology Service at Fletcher Allen Health Care. She received her NP/MSN degree from Simmons College, Boston in 1980. She spent many years as a primary care/women's health care provider and has been working at Fletcher Allen since 2000.
• 1-7. Writing for Healing Workshop
  The natural ability of the body can be enhanced by artistic expression. Writing can become a key element of that healing process. Using some simple techniques we'll begin exploring healing through writing. Bring your favorite writing tools: paper, journal, pen or pencil.

  Pat Fontaine, MACP
  Patricia is a published poet, a University of Vermont adjunct faculty member and a breast cancer survivor.
• 1-8. The Role of Exercise in the Management of Lymphedema: Why You Should do it and How to Get Started
  This talk will review benefits of exercise with respect to lymphedema, weight loss, overall conditioning and well being. Some exercise demonstrations and practice will occur during the presentation.

  Lee Nelson, PT & Justine Dee, PT, MS, CLT-LANA
  Lee has been a clinical faculty member at UVM since 1974, and is currently the Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, with responsibilities for a program that places students in supervised Clinical Education experiences throughout the country. Her clinical work has primarily been in the area of swelling management, particularly for individuals with lymphedema. Lee is active professionally at the state and national levels, serving, since 2000, as one of two Advisors for Physical Therapy Practice to the Vermont Secretary of State's Office.
  
  Ms. Dee is a physical therapist whose clinical practice is in the area of sports medicine and general orthopedics, with an expertise in treating patients with shoulder and lower extremity injuries. She is a certified lymphedema therapist and on the board of directors for the Vermont Lymphedema Network. She works at Dee Physical Therapy in South Burlington, VT, and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont in the Department of Movement Science and Rehabilitation.
• 1-9. Share Your Story – (Double session)
  Come share your story or come listen to others share at these informal double sessions with a facilitator. What has cancer taught you? Do you have some encouragement for fellow travelers on this cancer journey? Have you learned to be a better advocate for yourself? What is your relationship with the people you love? Do you take time to communicate differently? Come and share for 2-3 minutes or come and listen.

  Facilitators: Margie Cole, MSW and Sally Mattson, MA
  Margie is a member of the board of the VT-NH affiliate of Komen for the Cure, and is chair of the Education Committee. She also runs the NH Emergency Fund which serves women with breast cancer, and is funded through the local affiliate of the Komen for the Cure. She is a social worker employed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in the Breast Care Center.
  
  Sally Mattson is a licensed psychologist practicing in Brattleboro, Vermont. She has been in practice for 26 years, specializing in individual and couples' counseling. She is a breast cancer survivor and is currently writing a book of narratives based on her interviews with breast cancer survivors.
• 1-10. COFFEE CHAT - Reading your Bone Density Report
  This workshop is intended to help you better understand how to read your bone density report, be aware of the T-score and know what the measurements mean in terms of predicting fracture risk. We will also discuss the factors involved in low bone density and ways in which you can improve your bone density. Participants are encouraged to bring their bone density report so that they can ask questions about the significance of the results.

  Augusta Wilson, RN
  Augusta Wilson received her BS in nursing from the University of Vermont. She has been a research coordinator for the Osteoporosis Center and for Rheumatology at Fletcher Allen Health Care since 2004. In addition to working with research patients, Augusta works as a clinical staff nurse for these two specialties and is the nurse educator for the Osteoporosis Center. She does outreach in the community performing osteoporosis screenings and providing education.
• 1-11. COFFEE CHAT - Interactions Between Supplements and Oncology Treatments
  Ms. Foster will share information on the safe integration of vitamins, herbal supplements and pharmaceuticals and will also discuss the importance of communicating with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information given is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.

  Felicia Foster, RN, BS, DAy
  Ms. Foster is a nurse with a special interest in providing available information on the safe integration of vitamins, herbal supplements and pharmaceuticals. She works at Healthy Living Market and is in collaboration with health care professionals at Fletcher Allen and UVM to better serve our community.
• 1-12. COFFEE CHAT - Finding Room for the Spiritual in your Cancer Journey
  You already know that the diagnosis of breast cancer is life-changing. Not simply in terms of daily life--managing treatment, self-care, family, work, but also in your inner life, the one inside your head. Our informal conversation will provide an opportunity to voice your questions and concerns and explore the spiritual dimension of living with cancer.

  Ann Cooper
  Ann Cooper is a breast cancer survivor and a member of the Spiritual Care staff at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
• 1-13. COFFEE CHAT - Healing Goes Beyond Curing
  Heal: to make sound, well, or healthy again: restore to health. This is the definition, however, what if healing is not as straight forward? What if healing is an attitude, an emotion? As a cancer survivor, we question the trust we once had with our bodies. We no longer assume that we "can handle" anything that comes our way. Understand that the more options we have in dealing with distress and crisis, the healthier we will be psychologically. The more we will begin to trust ourselves and what is happening in our lives, the better we are able to pursue our own unique path to healing. Maybe healing is our ability to trust again, to take on the challenges of life, and to live each day.

  Kathleen McBeth, MA
  Kathleen McBeth is a full time coordinator with the Cancer Patient Support Program in the Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Fletcher Allen Health Care. She is a Licensed Psychologist, with a focus on health psychology and adjustment to illness. She is a seven-year lymphoma survivor, who after her treatment, decided to return to school to become a licensed psychologist and work with cancer survivors and their caregivers. She is a graduate of St. Michael's College.
• 1-14. Return to Exercise During and After Cancer Treatment
  Join a exercise session in the gym, led by a physical therapist. We will begin exercise using the concept of progressive resistive exercise - Weight Training! Wear comfortable clothing for the class. All levels are welcome. Goals include how to safely stretch for flexibility, guidance on how and where to start using weights and/or machines, and cardiovascular conditioning.

  Candice Brueck, PT, ATC, CLT
  Candice practices physical therapy at Timberlane Physical Therapy, and completed her training to become a certified lymphedema therapist in 2003. She has an extensive background in working with athletes, including serving as an athletic trainer at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Atlanta. Candice's areas of interest include the treatment of the foot/ankle, shoulder, and lymphedema.
• 1-15. Yoga Session

Session One | Session Two | Session Three | Lunch Session | Session Four | Session Five | Session Six