11/13/2010

News You Can Use: Breast Cancer Updates for Living Well

Our annual conference will highlight the most relevant medical and quality-of-life information you need to live well before, during and after treatment

Plenary Speakers: Marisa Weiss, MD; Sherry Lebed Davis

Download a copy of the conference brochure.

Register now for the annual fall conference.

Learn about exhibitor opportunities.

Learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Join Living Beyond Breast Cancer for our annual fall conference, News You Can Use: Breast Cancer Updates for Living Well, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. Fee waivers are available. At this event, you will:

• Learn about cutting-edge treatments for early-stage and metastatic breast cancer
• Hear how to get involved in research to better help diverse groups of women
• Understand how to enhance your quality of life using medical and complementary methods
• Find out how to minimize side effects
• Get advice on how to cope with your emotional concerns
• Connect with speakers, exhibitors and other women and caregivers

During two plenary sessions and twelve workshops (detailed below), get the information and support you need to live well before, during and after breast cancer treatment. You’ll also enjoy visiting with exhibitors, asking questions of healthcare providers with expertise in breast cancer and connecting with women and families at a networking lunch and evening reception.

View the conference agenda and learn about exhibitor opportunities.

About Our Plenary Speakers

Marisa Weiss, MD, our opening plenary speaker, will kick off the conference by discussing "Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer." She will give solutions to challenges you may face after completing breast cancer treatment, including regaining your energy, getting a good night’s sleep, managing your weight, sharpening your mind, keeping your cool and making room for fun. Dr. Weiss is founder and president of Breastcancer.org and co-author of the new books, Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer and Taking Care of Your "Girls": A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens and In-Betweens. She is founder of Living Beyond Breast Cancer and director of breast radiation oncology and breast health outreach at Lankenau Hospital.

Sherry Lebed Davis is an expert on the use of movement to help healing and prevent complications from breast cancer surgery and chronic illness. During the closing plenary session, she will give a motivating and inspiring presentation to emphasize the importance of exercise, laughter and reducing stress. You'll grab some fun props and participate in the Healthy-Steps/Lebed Method program, which aims to help you gain a positive, motivated and excited outlook on life. Ms. Lebed Davis is a dance movement specialist and co-founder of Healthy-Steps, The Lebed Method, an organization that provides wellness programs for special populations. The author of Thriving after Breast Cancer: Essential Healing Exercises for Body and Mind, Ms. Lebed Davis is featured frequently in the news media.

About the Workshops

This conference has two workshop sessions. Choose from among six topics per session (details below). We record and transcribe most workshops, so even if you miss a session, you can likely access the information on lbbc.org in the months following the event.

Session 1 Workshops

A. Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Understanding Your Treatment Options

Kevin R. Fox, MD, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania

Explore the latest surgical, hormonal and chemotherapy choices and how personalized medicine can play a role in your treatment decision making. Learn to actively participate in your care and to communicate effectively with your healthcare team as you go through treatment.

B. Metastatic Breast Cancer: Understanding Your Treatment Options

Diana E. Lake, MD, Weill Cornell Medical College

Hear about different approaches to treating advanced breast cancer and why your doctor may suggest one treatment over another. Learn how treatment may be adjusted because of effectiveness, lifestyle and personal goals. Explore promising research and find out how to participate in clinical trials that could impact future treatment breakthroughs.

C. Clinical Trials: Addressing the Need for Diversity

Martha C. Romney, RN, MS, JD, MPH, Thomas Jefferson University

Cindy Spiker, MPH, Baylor College of Medicine

Women from different backgrounds need to take part in clinical trials to speed research and find new ways to treat and prevent breast cancer. Yet most women don’t participate. Learn about the EDICT project, which studied the participation of diverse women in medical research. Get strategies to educate others, and find out how you can make a difference for all women regardless of race, age or finances.

D. Eating for Health and Wellness

Shayna Komar, RD, LD, Cancer Wellness of Piedmont Hospital

Chef Nancy Waldeck, Taste and Savor, Inc.

In this live chef’s demonstration, learn to make healthful eating decisions and easy meals. Get tips on how to make shopping for food and cooking fun, and understand why some foods fuel your body while others rob you of your energy. Explore cooking with flavor and incorporating healthful eating into your everyday life.

E. Caregivers’ Corner

Ashley Varner, MSW, MBA LCSW-C, The Wellness Community

Explore your feelings as a caregiver, friend or loved one of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. Learn to manage your fears, responsibilities and expectations of yourself and others, and understand how to effectively give and get support. Open to caregivers only.

F. Yoga: Taking Time to Catch Your Breath

Jennifer Schelter, Yoga Schelter; Yoga Unites

In Sanskrit, the word "yoga" means "union." Explore how yoga can help unite your mind, body and spirit. Learn to create this union through a variety of activities, and understand how the practice of yoga can help you achieve physical, mental and spiritual wellness during and after breast cancer.

Session 2 Workshops

G. Coping with Fears of Recurrence

Helen L. Coons, PhD, ABPP, Women’s Mental Health Associates

After initial treatment, it is common to have concerns about breast cancer coming back. Learn strategies to help you gain control of your thoughts, manage your anxiety, stay ahead of "trigger" events and communicate your feelings. Explore useful resources for finding support and professional help, if desired.

H. Metastatic Breast Cancer: Living in the Moment

Shari Baron, MSN, RN, CNS, CGP, The Wellness Community of Philadelphia; Private Practice

Discover methods for living well, managing changing emotions and living each day with intention. Understand your feelings about ongoing treatment and living with uncertainty, and learn to cope with changes in treatment and communicate your feelings. Explore what’s most important to you and decide where you want to put your time and energy so you can have the best quality of life every day.

I. Hormonal Therapy: A Guide to Help You Through

Ramona F. Swaby, MD, Fox Chase Cancer Center

Learn about hormonal treatment options, including how to minimize side effects, talk with your healthcare team and voice and address your concerns if you have trouble taking or paying for your medicines.

J. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Medical and Lifestyle Update

Deborah Toppmeyer, MD, UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; The Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Learn about available treatment options, how you may be able to reduce your risk of recurrence and how to create a follow-up care plan that addresses your individual needs.

K. Sex Matters! Finding Your Groove

Sabitha Pillai-Friedman, PhD, LCSW, Institute for Sex Therapy

Sex after breast cancer can be complex whether or not you have a partner. From vaginal dryness to body image issues, many physical and emotional concerns may affect your sexual satisfaction. Learn to navigate your body’s responses, communicate your needs to your partner and maximize your pleasure.

L. Beauty Inside and Out: Discovering Tricks of the Trade

Tricia Campbell, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Ltd.

Watch a makeup artist at work! Tricia will demonstrate how to apply makeup and care for your skin so you look and feel your best. Learn how to maximize your best features using a variety of techniques and products, and find out how to cope with treatment-related skin, hair and nail changes.

About Registration and Travel Grants

The $45 per person registration fee includes all educational programs; a continental breakfast, lunch and networking reception.

The $180 per person Guardian Angel fee includes all of the above and provides fee waivers for 3 women in need.

To make the conference more affordable to those with financial need, we are offering a limited number of fee waivers. We have a limited amount of travel grant funds; unfortunately we have maxed out the fund for this conference.

Register for the conference.

Apply for a fee waiver.

About the Conference Site/Hotel

The conference will be held at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel at 1200 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. LBBC has reserved a small room block for conference participants with a reduced rate of $149 plus tax; to take advantage of it, please mention the "Living Beyond Breast Cancer block" if you make your reservation by phone, or select "Group" from the PARTNERPROGRAMS drop-down menu and enter the code "LBC12N" if you make a reservation online.

About Transportation and Parking

The hotel is centrally located in Center City Philadelphia near both I-95 and I-76. On-site valet parking is available for an $18 fee, or other paid parking is available nearby. The hotel is also accessible by SEPTA bus or rail. For directions, visit the website of the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.

About CEU Credits

LBBC offers CEU credits for social workers through the West Chester Undergraduate Social Work Department. For a $40 fee, you may earn six credits for conference programs. Please check with your state association to see whether your state has reciprocity with Pennsylvania.

We Need Volunteers!

LBBC needs you! Help us stuff bags, set up the rooms, work at registration, greet attendees and sell drawing tickets. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Lisa at or (610) 645-4567.

About Our Sponsors

We would like to thank our presenting sponsors, Amgen Oncology and The Breast Cancer Fund of National Philanthropic Trust, and our title sponsor, Pfizer Oncology.

Thank you also to our signature sponsor, Novartis; our benefactor sponsors, Abraxis BioScience, Inc., Avon Foundation for Women, Genomic Health, GlaxoSmithKline and Lilly; and our friend sponsor, Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn about sponsorship opportunities.