2:15-3:00 PM — SESSION FIVE

• 5-1. Vermont Cancer Center Tour (Sessions 5 & 6)
  Please join the Vermont Cancer Center (VCC) for a behind the scenes tour of our cancer care facilities and cancer research laboratories. This is a special opportunity to see and hear about the cutting-edge research and care being carried out at the VCC, which spans from the University of Vermont College of Medicine research facilities to the Fletcher Allen clinics: with tour guides who are at the very forefront of Vermont's cancer initiatives.

   
   
• 5-2. Cancer Fatigue and Exercise: Take a Walk or Take a Nap? *
  Fatigue affects most people during and after cancer treatment. This session will outline the benefits of exercise for fighting fatigue and other positive effects of exercise. Other interventions for control of fatigue will also be discussed.

  Kim Dittus, MD, PhD
  Dr. Dittus is an attending physician at Fletcher Allen Health Care and an assistant professor in the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She holds a PhD in nutrition, completed medical school and residency at East Tennessee State University and her Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Fletcher Allen. She is pursuing an academic medical career with a research focus on mechanisms by which exercise may prevent cancer recurrence and improve survival.
• 5-3. Gene-environment Interactions and the Development of Cancer *
  The link between exposure to environmental toxic agents and cancer risk has been well established. Yet how and why exposure to genotoxic agents causes normal cells to become malignant cells is still to a great extent unknown. This talk will discuss some of the ways exposure to environmental chemicals may lead to cancer in children and adults, and some of the experimental approaches that are used to study these events. In addition, this talk will describe how infants and children are more susceptible to exposure to environmental genotoxic chemicals and why exposure early in life may result in a higher risk for cancer as a child as well as adult.

  Barry Finette, PhD, MD          
  Dr. Finette is a Professor of Pediatrics at UVM/Fletcher Allen, studying the association between genetic changes, environmental genotoxic exposures and the development of cancer in children. Since 2000, Dr. Finette has been on the President's Task Force on Environmental and Safety Risks to Children. He is the recipient of several distinguished awards, including the NIH Physician Scientist Award, the NCI Howard Temin Award and the Burroughs Wellcome Clinical Scientist in Translational Research Award. He earned his PhD in microbiology and his MD at the University of Texas.
• 5-4. Living with a Life-Threatening Illness: The Palliative Care Option *
  This workshop will discuss the concept of palliative care and the importance of initiating this kind of care at the time of diagnosis of a life threatening illness. We will discuss palliative options available to individuals regardless of where they reside or where they are on the continuum of their illness. We will also emphasize the benefits and opportunities for hope and healing that arise when "whole person care/palliative care" is integrated into medical care.

  Angel Collins, MS, RN
  Angel Collins is the Director of End-of-Life Care Services at the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties and Adjunct Faculty for the School of Nursing at the University of Vermont. Ms. Collins has been working in health care since 1983. She completed her MS degree in Nursing at the University of Vermont in 1998 and has focused her nursing career on end-of-life care and nursing administration. She has extensive experience in Hospice and palliative care in both the acute care and home care settings.
• 5-5. How Men Can Be Helpful to Women Coping with Cancer
  This session will be a Reader's Theater Performance video that looks at the usually unspoken struggles of men who want to be helpful to the woman in their life who has dealt with cancer. This performance is a springboard for reflection and discussion. It's revealing, it's funny, it's helpful!

  Karen and Dave Crawford
  Karen and Dave Crawford have been married for 16 years and have two children. Karen was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in the spring of 2004. Dave is a construction project manager at IBM. Both are members of Christ Memorial Church where Dave serves as an elder and coordinates the men's group.
• 5-6. Cervical Cancer Screening & Prevention *
  This session will cover the current recommendations for screening in women at high risk for cervical cancer.

  Emmanuel Soultanakis, MD          
  Dr. Soultanakis received his medical degree from the University of Vermont, completed his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UVM/Fletcher Allen, and his Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Brown University/Women & Infants Hospital. He joined the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen in 2003 and is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Vermont.
• 5-7. Cognitive Changes During Chemotherapy * **
  Reports of cognitive changes are common in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. This presentation will review research on cognitive changes, typical symptom reports and compensatory strategies.

  Janis Peyser, PhD
  Dr. Peyser is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at the UVM College of Medicine. She was director of Medical Psychology at the Medical Center Hospital/FAHC from 1980 to 2001. She is now in independent practice.
• 5-8. Breast Cancer in Vermont – Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer
  Join other survivors, providers and public health professionals to plan strategies and interventions to increase breast cancer screening, reduce late stage diagnoses and reduce suffering and death from this leading cancer among women.

  John Olson, MEd
  John Olson coordinates Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer (VTAAC), a statewide partnership of 140+ individuals, organizations and professionals that created Vermont's second strategic plan for cancer prevention and control. Previously, he was the Director of Education at Vermont CARES in Burlington where he developed and managed HIV/AIDS prevention programs in northwestern & central Vermont. John received his Master of Education degree from the University of Vermont.
• 5-9. Share your Story (Double session)
  Join other survivors, providers and public health professionals to plan strategies and interventions to increase breast cancer screening, reduce late stage diagnoses and reduce suffering and death from this leading cancer among women.

  Facilitators: Sally Mattson, MA and Kathleen McBeth, MA
  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.
  
  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.
• 5-10. An Introduction to the Concept of Healing Energy)
  This session will be focused on the benefit of bringing a sense of well-being to both giver and receiver. Labeled may ways - Healing Touch, Laying on of Hands, Dowsing, Reiki - participants will be offered an opportunity to experience healing energy.

  Rev. Mr. Regis Cummings and Betty Blouin, RN
  Rev. Cummings is a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, assigned to Saint Augustine Church in Montpelier. He is co-founder of several groups including the Central Vermont Cancer Support Group (1984) and the Christian Mediation Center in Montpelier (1989). He is also a member of the Central Vermont Hospital Ethics Committee and Clergy Advisory board.
  
  Ms. Blouin currently works as a nurse for Project Independence. Ms. Blouin is co-founder of The Central Vermont Cancer Support Group, The Christian Mediation Center and The Foundation for Compassionate Care.
• 5-11. Kinesiotape: Management of Trunk Edema
  Edema of the trunk can be a side effect after treatment for breast cancer. Kinesiotape is a special kind of skin tape that can be used to stimulate the lymphatics to improve drainage on the chest. Basic lymphatic physiology and drainage will be discussed, as well as a demonstration of tape application.

  Cathy Munteanu, PT, CLT-LANA and Julia A. Child, PT, CLT-LANA
  Catherine Munteanu, PT, CLT-LANA, holds a BS degree in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac College and is trained in the Casley-Smith method. She received her LANA certification in 2002. Her lymphedema therapy focus has been on the treatment of secondary lymphedema, as well as other types of edema.
  
  Julia Child is a certified lymphedema therapist trained in the Casley-Smith, Dorit Tidar, and Vodder methods of lymphedema management practicing at Middlebury Physical Therapy in Middlebury Vermont.
• 5-12. COFFEE CHAT – Long Term follow-up of Breast Cancer Survivors
  This session will focus on the follow-up after the initial period of surgery and additional treatment are completed. What to expect with frequency of appointments, testing, mammograms, etc. Why your schedule and follow-up may be different from a neighbor's or friend's schedule. A chance to ask questions.

  Andrea Miller, NP
  Andrea Miller is a certified nurse practitioner in the Breast Care Center at Fletcher Allen Heath Care where she provides care for women in all stages of their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• 5-13. COFFEE CHAT – VPIRG'S Healthy Vermonter Project and Lowering Toxic Exposures
  Healthy Vermont, Healthy Future is a campaign to establish a clean, save and healthy future for all the citizens of Vermont. The precautionary principle and actions you can take to lower your exposures to toxins will be discussed in this advocacy presentation and discussion.

  Paul Burns
  Paul is the Executive Director of VPIRG. Paul has been working as an organizer, advocate and attorney on toxics issues for over 20 years. He has co-authored numerous reports including Generations at Risk, which was later released as a book.
• 5-14. COFFEE CHAT – Knitting Comfort Shawls
  Bring your knitting and join us, or just come learn about knitting comfort shawls and prayer shawls. Patterns will be available. Come get information on starting your own group or info about knitting for the Breast Care Center's group.

  Sue Aldous
  Sue Aldous has been a medical transcriptionist for Fletcher Allen Health Care for over a decade. As a volunteer for the Volunteer Services Department at Fletcher Allen for six years, Sue has knitted or crocheted and donated items from caps and blankets for preemies, to lap robes for patients in the rehab center, to comfort shawls for Breast Care Center patients.
• 5-15. COFFEE CHAT – Studying Cancer Survivorship in Vermont
  Cancer survivors in Vermont and researchers at the University of Vermont have teamed up to learn about the unmet needs of cancer survivors (physical, emotional, spiritual, practical, financial etc). We would like to sit down with breast cancer survivors and hear about what types of questions we should be asking to learn more. What are your concerns? What services would you like to see offered in response to your needs?

  Berta Geller, EdD          
  Sue Aldous has been a medical transcriptionist for Fletcher Allen Health Care for over a decade. As a volunteer for the Volunteer Services Department at Fletcher Allen for six years, Sue has knitted or crocheted and donated items from caps and blankets for preemies, to lap robes for patients in the rehab center, to comfort shawls for Breast Care Center patients. Dr. Geller is a researcher at the Office of Health Promotion Research at the University of Vermont whose primary areas of research are breast and colorectal cancer screening, and cancer survivorship. She is the principal investigator of the Vermont Mammography Registry and a member of the National Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. This past April, a group of cancer survivors and Dr. Geller started the Cancer Survivor Community Study with funding from the National Cancer Institute.
• 5-16. 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.

  Lesli R. Bell, PT, CLT-LANA
  Lesli founded Timberlane Physical Therapy in 1987. Since then she has specialized in the treatment of TMJ and neck, back and thoracic dysfunction. She has also been a LANA certified Lymphedema Therapist since 1997. Lesli's particular interest is in working with breast cancer patients with post-operative swelling and/or other post-operative orthopedic problems.

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