Studies have shown that patient education and communication positively affect patient health outcomes, including emotional and physical health. The Breast Cancer Coalition works with area medical professionals and other experts to offer a wide variety of Evening Educational Seminars throughout the year.
Evening Educational Seminars bring information and education to our survivors and community friends.
We are fortunate to have so many local experts to present current information about breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, and survivorship. Thank you to each presenter this year. Below is a list of the Evening Seminar topics and presenters.
If you missed one of the following Evening Seminars or are interested in seeing one again, please reach out to Christina our program director and she will send you a link.
Mindy, Body, Spirit: Explore Mindfulness & Meditation, Acupuncture, and Forest Immersion (Jan 2021)
Make a commitment to improve your health – strive to eat better, exercise more, feed our spirits, and explore complementary approaches to health. Learn about innovative approaches to illness and disease, and how these can complement traditional medicine.
Presented by:
Deb Denome, Certified Forest Therapy Guide (Forest Immersion)
Rick Lynch, RYT-500 (Mindfulness & Meditation)
Aizhong Li, MS, BS, L.Ac (Acupuncture & Acupressure)
Covid-19 and Cancer Survivorship: What Do Survivors Need to Know? (Feb 2021)
Learn about COVID-19’s potential impact on:
- Those currently in treatment
- Those with history of radiation therapy
- Those with a history of specific chemotherapies that may have had an effect on heart function
Presented by:
Carla Falkson, MBBCh, PhD, Director of the Breast Oncology Clinical Research Program and Breast Cancer Service Line, Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center; Medical Director, Pluta Cancer Center
Alphabet Soup of Breast Cancer: IDC, DCIS, LCIS, ER, PR, Her2…What Does it All Mean? (Mar 2021)
Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis can be difficult and confusing! Dr. Yellin helps us to demystify the language of breast cancer. Find out what all those letters mean. Learn about the historic and current trends in treatment options.
Presented by:
Joel Yellin, MD, Lipson Cancer Center, Rochester Regional Health
The Most Important Doctor You’ll Never Meet: Understanding Your Pathology Report (Apr 2021)
Breast Cancer is not the same for everyone. A “one-size fits all” approach no longer works when diagnosing and treating breast cancer. Learn cutting edge technologies such as genomic profiling and molecular targets that have led to new staging guidelines and therapeutic treatment options. Join us in exploring the role of the pathologist on the medical team.
Presented by:
David Hicks, MD, Director of IHC-ISH Laboratory and Breast, Subspecialty Service, University of Rochester Medical Center
Updates in Breast Cancer Screening (May 2021)
Breast Cancer Screening is ever changing! Learn about the history of breast cancer screening, and differences in methods: mammography, tomosynthesis, ultrasound, MRI.
How does breast density play a role? How do biopsy techniques differ? What imaging is recommended after breast cancer treatment is complete? What is new on the horizon of imaging?
Presented by:
Avice O’Connell, MD, MA, Director of Women’s Imaging, Department of Imaging, University of Rochester Medical Center
Cancer Care in the LGBTQ+ Community: Empowering Patients Through Action, Advocacy, and Allyship (June 2021)
LGBTQ+ cancer survivors often report challenges accessing competent, respectful cancer care. How can providers and patients ensure that they are giving and receiving the best, most attentive, cancer care? How can we all be better allies to the LGBTQ+ community? Become informed.
Presented by:
Ash Alpert, MD, MFA , Fellow, Division of Hematology Oncology, Wilmot Cancer Center, URMC
Jeannie Gainsburg, MSS, Founder,
Savvy Ally Action, savvyallyaction.com
Charles Kamen, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Cancer Control Unit, Wilmot Cancer Center, URMC
Kathy Simpson, Facilitator, Breast Cancer Coalition LGBTQ+ Support Group
Cancer and its Treatment: Crisis, Catalyst, and the Role of Self-Compassion (Jul 2021)
When we experience unexpected life events such as a diagnosis of cancer, how might we transform the experience in a way that helps us thrive and grow? In thinking about relationships, career, and our own health, how might we use cancer as a catalyst?
Presented by:
Jennifer Griggs, MD, MPH, Founder, Transforming the Narrative, Inc.; Medical Oncologist, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Breast Reconstruction: Take II (Aug 2021)
Many survivors forego reconstructive surgery at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis and surgery. Some may consider reconstruction months or years later. Others may be dissatisfied with their reconstruction results and are interested in exploring a revision.
Drs. Amalfi and Chen discuss the variety of reconstructive procedures!
Presented by:
Ashley Amalfi, MD, Plastic Surgeon, Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery
Elaina Chen, MD, Plastic Surgeon, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center
Updates in Genetics and Cancer Risk Assessment (Sept 2021)
There have been impressive advances in the field of cancer genetics which have given patients the opportunity to determine their predisposition to certain cancers, including breast and gynecologic.
Learn what genetic counseling involves and how genetic testing results can impact
your treatment options.
Presented by:
Jessica Salamone, CGC, Certified Genetic Counselor, Elizabeth Wende Breast Care
We are currently working on our 2022 schedule. Check back for future topics.
