Dr. Christopher Recklitis: Emotional Health After Childhood Cancer
For many patients, the childhood cancer experience takes them away from school, hobbies and friends and thrusts them into the adult world.
In his talk Emotional Health After Childhood Cancer, Dr. Christopher Recklitis stresses the importance of talking to your healthcare professionals about how to maintain balance between regular life and treatment.
Christopher Recklitis, PhD, MPH, is the Director of Research and Supportive Services at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He spoke at POGO’s 2013 Survivor Conference: Life after Childhood Cancer.
Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s series of video shorts featuring the insights of experts whose leading-edge work impacts the care, treatment and quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.
Dr. Mike Neal: Male Fertility Concerns for Survivors
Dr. Mike Neal: Male Fertility Concerns for Survivors
One false assumption is that childhood cancer treatment won’t have an effect on fertility. It is important to increase awareness about the options men have prior to and post treatment. Procedures can be easy and inexpensive and can offer insurance to young men who are hoping to have a family down the road.
Michael Neal, BSc. (Hons), MSc is the Scientific Director at ONE Fertility in Burlington Ontario. He spoke at POGO’s 2013 Survivor Conference: Life after Childhood Cancer.
Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s series of video shorts featuring the insights of experts whose leading-edge work impacts the care, treatment and quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.
Dr. Ellen Greenblatt: Female Fertility Concerns for Survivors
Dr. Ellen Greenblatt: Female Fertility Concerns for Survivors
It is crucial for childhood cancer patients to remember that life does go on after cancer. Understandably, fertility is an important aspect of that. Cancer treatments, however, can jeopardize reproductive health, most notably due to certain chemotherapy agents, particularly the class called alkylating agents that can kill off eggs in women and sperm in men. Radiation treatment to the pelvis can also affect ovarian function or the ability for the uterus to carry a pregnancy.
Despite such concerns, Dr. Greenblatt assures young survivors that there are many therapies that are less toxic and that pregnancy after cancer is not associated with a higher risk of abnormalities in children. She recommends visiting a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility centre if you have undergone treatment yourself. While such measures are recommended, Dr. Greenblatt provides a healthy reminder: all women, not only survivors, must think of family planning as planning their family rather than leaving it up to chance.
Ellen Greenblatt, MD, FRCSC is the Medical Director for the Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health at the Mount Sinai Hospital and Associate Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. She spoke at POGO’s 2013 Survivor Conference: Life after Childhood Cancer.
Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s new series of video shorts featuring the insights of experts whose leading-edge work impacts the care, treatment and quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.
2013 POGO/Ooch Survivor Conference
In October 2013, POGO partnered with Camp Oochigeas to host the second childhood cancer survivor conference. Over 90 survivors of childhood cancer from across the province and Canada attended the two-day event. The educational sessions addressed topics including: screening and prevention, emotional health, sex and relationships after cancer and fertility, among others.
VIEW THE PROGRAM
Videos of all of the presentations from the Survivor Conference that POGO has permission to post are available here, along with the accompanying presentation slides. As a starting point, check out this recap video from the weekend!
OOCH/POGO SURVIVOR CONFERENCE RECAP VIDEO:
NOTE: The content of each presentation captures the unedited information and opinions presented by the speaker. Please note that the information contained in the presentations was current at the time it was presented – there may be further information in subsequent literature. Listed speaker credentials were current at the time of presentation.
PLENARY SESSIONS
Screening and Prevention – Empowering through Education
Paul Nathan, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Healing Beyond the Body: Emotional Health After Cancer
Christopher J. Recklitis, PhD, MPH
WORKSHOPS
Female Fertility: Your Questions Answered
Ellen Greenblatt, MD, FRCSC
Male Fertility: Your Questions Answered
Mike Neal, BSc (Hons), MSc
“How did you get that scar?”… and other Socially Uncomfortable Moments of Being a Childhood Cancer Survivor
Natalie Wilson, MA, CCLS
Vanessa Pastoric, BHSc, CCLS
A Leg Up: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Cognitive Challenges
Todd Cunningham, Assistive Technologies Expert
Helping You Manage Your Health After Cancer
Carla Bennett, RN, BN
Screening and Prevention – Empowering through Education
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Presentation Description:
Do you show up at your screening appointments wondering why you’re even there? Or maybe you haven’t gone at all and are worried you missed the memo? Screening and prevention can be a tricky subject because there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ standard. This presentation provides an overview of exactly what screening is, why it’s important, who is at risk for what, and what you need to know to responsibly manage your health for years to come.
Speaker:
Paul Nathan, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Director, AfterCare Program
Hospital for Sick Children
Healing Beyond the Body: Emotional Health After Cancer
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Presentation Description:
Childhood cancer can be an intensely stressful experience that may have emotional effects even years after treatment. While cancer can enhance personal growth in some ways, it can also lead to emotional vulnerabilities later in life. This session will explore common developmental challenges for survivors, highlight the relationship between emotional and physical health, and consider the different ways survivors make sense of their cancer experiences as they move into adulthood.
Speaker:
Christopher Recklitis, PhD, MPH
Director of Research and Support Services
Perini Family Survivors' Centre, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School, Boston
Workshop A - Female Fertility: Your Questions Answered
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Presentation Description:
Fertility concerns are not unique to cancer survivors, but survivors often have exceptional circumstances that can affect fertility options. This workshop will answer your burning questions about female fertility, including options and next steps if you’re thinking of starting a family.
Speaker:
Ellen Greenblatt, MD, FRCSC
Medical Director, Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Workshop B - Male Fertility: Your Questions Answered
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Presentation Description:
Fertility concerns are not unique to cancer survivors, but survivors often have exceptional circumstances that can affect fertility options. This workshop will answer your burning questions about male fertility, including options and next steps if you’re thinking of starting a family.
Speaker:
Michael Neal, BSc. (Hons), MSc
Scientific Director
ONE Fertility, Burlington
Workshop C - 'How did you get that scar?'... and other Socially Uncomfortable Moments of Being a Cancer Survivor
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Presentation Description:
So you’ve survived childhood cancer and you have some of the cold hard facts from doctors about what may be next for your health. But what about those socially awkward conversations and situations you may encounter as a survivor that aren’t in the medical books? Lead by two childhood cancer survivors, this workshop explored those socially awkward, embarrassing, difficult and sometimes funny questions and conversations, from responding to “How’d you get that scar?” to telling a new dating partner about your unknown fertility status.
Speakers:
Vanessa Pastoric, BHSc, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Grand River Hospital, Kitchener
Natalie Wilson, MA, CCLS Coordinator and Facilitator
Young Carers Program of Hospice Toronto
Workshop E - A Leg Up: Assistive Technology for Individuals with Cognitive Challenges
VIEW THE PRESENTATION
Presentation Description:
Many childhood cancer survivors struggle with cognitive challenges as a result of their diagnosis and/or treatment and assistive technologies may be able to help. This workshop provided an overview of new assistive devices/technologies available to cancer survivors that can aid and improve cognition; features to look for and how to get your hands on this technology; and complimentary learning strategies to help you reach your academic and career goals.
Speaker:
Todd Cunningham, PhD, C. Psych (Supervised Practice)
Psychologist
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)