Breast cancer affects people differently. Every patient, family member and care partner has unique experiences, feelings and concerns.
The Comprehensive Breast Program at Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) team understands this, and invites anyone in treatment or recovery, those caring for someone with breast cancer and interested community members to a special, free event during Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
“Strength in Numbers: Supporting Survivors – An evening of breast health education” will take place Thursday, October 17 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn on 35 N. Labombard Road in Lebanon.
The event will feature brief presentations by Dartmouth Health research and treatment providers, panel discussions with time for questions and local vendor organizations offering information about their services for patients and families.
“Advances in breast cancer research and treatment have opened doors to hope and recovery that were not as accessible in the past,” says Mary Chamberlin, MD, medical director, DCC Comprehensive Breast Program, who will offer opening remarks. “Our upcoming event aims to underscore the importance of breast cancer awareness and to provide attendees with the latest knowledge and tools for self-care, early detection, treatment advances and recurrence prevention.”
Vendors, providers and more
The event will open with time to learn about available local resources. These include the Hand to Heart Project that provides free in-home massage to patients and care providers, Casting for Recovery and its no-cost outdoor healing retreats and the Mahana Magic Foundation that offers support to Vermont children who have a parent with cancer.
Dartmouth Health resources will also be on hand with information about dietary support and occupational and physical therapy options and other concerns.
This includes Heather Wishart, PhD, psychiatry department, DHMC. “I will be available to chat informally with attendees about memory issues and other cognitive problems that can be associated with breast cancer and provide information on resources available through the DCC Neurocognition Program,” she says.
The first education session will focus on cancer recovery and recurrence prevention, including copper depletion therapy and research on physical activity during recovery. Providers and patients will also share about coping strategies.
“Experiencing thoughts and worries about cancer recurrence or progression is very common and often our response to these thoughts can create emotional pain,” Sivan Rotenberg, PhD, MA, psychiatry department, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). “I’ll share some tips on what people can do when this happens so they can cope more effectively.”
After another chance to connect with local vendors, the second education session will feature breast cancer research updates about the latest advances in treatment. Topics will include how breast pathology, or diagnosis, works and how it may change thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and research happening at Dartmouth Health, and the role of Cherenkov imaging—which originated at DHMC —in enhancing the quality of breast radiotherapy.
Throughout the event, patients will have opportunities to meet each other and receive support during their treatment journeys.
To register for this free event and to view the full list of vendors and presenters, visit the Comprehensive Breast Program’s webpage.