Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Transcripts
Below are transcripts from Living Beyond Breast Cancer's past conferences, teleconferences, networking meetings and other educational programs. Read about breast cancer hormonal therapy, aromatase inhibitors, mammograms and other screening tools and tests, triple-negative breast cancer, HER2 breast cancer and more. Download the full transcripts posted below, or type keyword(s) into the Quick Search at the top right-hand corner of this page to find excerpts specific to your needs.
5/15/2008
Moving Beyond Breast Cancer: From Treatment to Survivorship
Julia H. Rowland, PhD
| Did you recently finish initial treatment? Like many women, you may be asking, “Now what?” Dr. Rowland, a founder in the field of psycho-oncology, compassionately explores common concerns about life after treatment ends. She discusses the reasons why you may feel anxious about the end of therapy or abandoned by your caregivers; fears that the breast cancer could return; tests to monitor your health and ways to communicate your new needs to family, friends and doctors. Learn to create a “survivorship care plan” and maintain accurate medical records. Dr. Rowland also touches on nutrition, stress, cancer anniversaries and milestones, fatigue, asking for help and finding support. |
2/24/2008
Taking Control and Managing End-of-Life Issues
Debra K. Thaler-DeMers, BSN, RN, OCN, PRN-c
| This publication sensitively addresses your questions about the end of life and provides tools and resources to help you and your family plan ahead. Ms. Thaler-DeMers discusses choosing hospice and a palliative care team, managing your finances, organizing personal information, leaving a legacy, creating a power of attorney and ensuring your final wishes are met. She explores the importance of communicating with family and offers advice if your loved ones are having trouble talking with you. |
1/28/2008
Breaking News: Updates from the 30th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Joyce A. O’Shaughnessy, MD
| Make sense of findings announced at the world’s largest meeting of breast cancer professionals. This publication, reporting on the December 2007 conference, explores treatments for early-stage and advanced (metastatic) breast cancer. Dr. O’Shaughnessy discusses studies on the length of radiation therapy; findings on who benefits most from chemotherapy treatments; updates on trials of tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors; new targeted treatments for HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer; and a novel chemotherapy medicine called ixabepilone (brand name: Ixempra). |
11/29/2007
Working Smarter with Breast Cancer
Barbara Hoffman, JD
| Learn about the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on your work life. Understand your employment rights and the role of the Americans with Disabilities Act, get advice on communicating with your colleagues and hear tips on working during treatment or returning to your job once initial therapy ends. |
11/17/2007
Town Hall Meeting: The State of Breast Cancer
Debra S. Copit, MD; Mary B. Daly, MD, PhD; Beth E. Meyerowitz, PhD; Edith P. Mitchell, MD, FACP; Larry Norton, MD; Jane Reese-Coulbourne, MS, ChE, MBA; Sherry Sterling, RN, CCRP, CCRC
| This panel discussion of distinguished healthcare professionals explores where we are and where we need to go in breast cancer research, treatment and care. In a lively debate, the panelists explore advocacy efforts, government funding for research, the impact of targeted approaches to treatment and the growth of the quality-of-life movement. Based on findings presented in our 2007 State of Breast Cancer report. |
11/17/2007
Medical Update: What We Know, What We Need to Learn
Eric P. Winer, MD
| Dr. Winer conducts “a tour” of the breast cancer landscape, helping you understand cancer statistics, how treatment has changed in the last 20 years, the importance of clinical trials and government funding and his hopes for progress in the years to come. He reviews available therapies for HER2 positive, triple-negative and BRCA-related cancers, hormonal approaches for pre- and postmenopausal women, surgical methods and concerns and the role of genetic tests like Oncotype DX. |
11/17/2007
Hormonal Treatments: Past, Present and Future
Craig Jordan, OBE, PhD, DSc
| One of the world's foremost researchers explains the function of the estrogen receptor, how hormonal therapies work and what we know from recent clinical trials. Dr. Jordan discusses the uses of and side effects associated with tamoxifen, toremifene (Fareston), fulvestrant (Faslodex), letrozole (Femara), anastrozole (Arimidex) and exemestane (Aromasin). Learn how options vary depending on your menopausal status, why younger women do not face the same side-effect risks from tamoxifen and why hot flashes may confer a treatment advantage. |
11/9/2007
Managing Your Complex Emotions and Anxieties About Breast Cancer
David Sachs, MD
| Breast cancer is not just a medical issue--it's an emotional one, too. If you have been traumatized by your experience with breast cancer, learn what may have prompted your responses and what you can do to reclaim your quality of life. Gain insight into your communications with your caregivers and healthcare team. Get tips on handling insensitive comments and difficult occasions like doctor's appointments, holidays, anniversaries and milestones. |
10/22/2007
What’s Next? Choices in Hormonal Therapy
Generosa Grana, MD
| Learn the ABCs of hormonal treatment for early and advanced breast cancer. Dr. Grana explains why it’s important to know the cancer’s estrogen/progesterone status and other features, how to understand results of the Oncotype DX test and why your menopausal status impacts your options. She discusses when to start treatment, when to switch and how to manage side effects of tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors Femara, Arimidex and Aromasin. This program also explores stopping ovarian function using surgery or medicines like Lupron; preventing initial breast cancer in women at high risk for developing it; and monitoring bone health. |
10/16/2007
Managing Uncertainty and Enhancing Your Quality of Life
Sage Annaleise Bolte, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
| Get practical tips for coping with the emotions and stresses of living with advanced, or metastatic, breast cancer. Learn strategies for managing anxiety, maintaining joy, talking with family and friends and finding support. Find out how to adjust your expectations, plan for the future, accept help, face ongoing tests and treatment and cope with feelings of loss. Among topics discussed are exercise, guided imagery, prayer, deep breathing and journal writing. |
10/5/2007
Understanding Your Treatment Options: Medical Advances and Research News
Andrew D. Seidman, MD
| Get a handle on the latest treatments for advanced (metastatic) breast cancer. Dr. Seidman discusses hormonal treatments including tamoxifen, the aromatase inhibitors and research into ovarian suppression and AIs for premenopausal women. Among the many treatments discussed are bevacizumab (brand name: Avastin), vinorelbine (brand name: Navelbine) and ixabepilone (brand name: Ixempra). His explanation of targeted treatments like trastuzumab (brand name: Herceptin) and lapatinib (brand name: Tykerb) will help you understand the role of these medicines in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancers. |
9/19/2007
A New Day in Health Care: Understanding Personalized Medicine and Targeted Therapy
Ramona F. Swaby, MD
| Understand the variety of therapies that home in on specific characteristics of a breast cancer, including hormonal, biologic and angiogenic treatments. Learn about tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors, methods of ovarian suppression, trastuzumab (brand name: Herceptin) and other medicines targeting the HER2 receptor and bevacizumab (brand name: Avastin) and treatments that disrupt the building of blood vessels in tumors. Dr. Swaby reviews the important clinical data supporting the use of these treatments and explains how and why they work. |
9/11/2007
Bone Health After Breast Cancer
Adam Brufsky, MD, PhD
| Learn about how breast cancer treatments and aging impact your bones. Dr. Brufsky explains how bones stay strong and heal; the impact of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation treatment and estrogen deprivation after menopause; tests to measure bone health and how to interpret the results; bisphosphonates, vitamins and exercise and how they can help you improve bone strength; and clinical trials examining the impact of treatment on bone health. This transcript contains helpful information on both early-stage and advanced breast cancer, whether you are pre- or post-menopausal. |
8/16/2007
Follow-Up Testing: What You Need To Know
Virginia F. Borges, MD
| After initial treatment for early-stage breast cancer ends, how often should you see your doctor? What tests or exams do you need? What is the doctor looking for? This program answers these questions and more and discusses follow-up tests like mammography, MRI, DEXA scans for bone mineral density, PET and CT scans and tumor markers. Dr. Borges sensitively addresses the issues of calling your doctor if you suspect a recurrence, monitoring your post-treatment diet and communicating your concerns about thinking and memory ("chemo brain"). Learn how follow-up appointments can help you manage or prevent side effects from ongoing treatments. |
8/6/2007
Managing the Lingering Side Effects of Treatment
Suzanne McGettigan, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN
| Find out how to effectively manage side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapies. Get practical advice on coping with pain and changes in sensation, lymphedema, dry skin, fatigue and insomnia, anemia, menopausal symptoms, weight gain, sexual concerns, neuropathy, "chemo brain," bone loss, infertility and sadness. The speaker covers traditional medical therapies and complementary and alternative approaches. |
7/14/2007
Making Sense of the Research Pipeline for Advanced Breast Cancer
Russel E. Kaufman, MD
| Find out how medicines move from the test tube to the bedside. In this publication from our first Annual Conference for Women Living with Advanced Breast Cancer, a preeminent research scientist explores the history of chemotherapy treatments, the nature of cancer, the future of genomic therapy and the role of pharmaceutical companies and educational institutions in research. |
7/14/2007
Medical Update for Women Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
Julie R. Gralow, MD
| In this session from our first Conference for Women Living With Advanced Breast Cancer, plenary speaker Julie R. Gralow, MD, discusses goals of treatment, determining therapy and tests that help you learn more about the nature of cancer. She reviews the latest research on molecular and genetic testing; hormonal therapies, targeted treatments and chemotherapy; and exciting research on personalizing therapy to individual cancers. Also discussed are studies on complementary and alternative therapies and treatments for bone metastasis. |
Download slides from Dr. Gralow's presentation
7/14/2007
Understanding Symptom and Side-Effect Management
Steven D. Passik, PhD
| Learn how pain and other side effects of advanced (metastatic) breast cancer impact your quality of life, and what you can do to manage them. Calling on practical information and his trademark sense of humor, Dr. Passik explores how to communicate with and describe your pain to healthcare professionals, why medicines and complementary therapies may ease side effects and myths and realities about addiction and cancer. Dr. Passik addresses your concerns about buliding tolerance to pain medicines you may need over time, and explores neuropathy, depression, insomnia and fatigue, menopausal changes and "chemo brain." |
6/11/2007
Medical and Quality-of-Life Updates from the 43rd Annual ASCO Meeting
Kathy D. Miller, MD
| In this teleconference reporting on the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, learn about new chemotherapy options, updated findings about the Oncotype DX gene test and research on the targeted therapy trastuzumab (brand name: Herceptin). Dr. Miller also discusses promising treatments for advanced (metastatic) breast cancer, new methods of delivering radiation therapy and a variety of biologic treatments targeting the HER2 breast cancer gene. |
5/7/2007
Your New Normal: Moving on After Breast Cancer Treatment
Julie R. Gralow, MD
| Wondering what happens after you complete initial treatment? In this transcript, medical oncologist Julie R. Gralow, MD, deals with the medical and emotional issues you may face when treatment ends. Learn how to establish a survivorship care plan, think about follow-up testing, monitor your bone health, cope with fears of recurrence and integrate lifestyle changes that can decrease your chances of a new breast cancer. |
3/19/2007
Coping with Advanced Breast Cancer: Long-term Strategies for Managing Anxiety
Helen L. Coons, PhD
| Talk about "some of the tough stuff that other people don't talk about," including coping with your feelings around changed treatments, handling insensitive or ignorant comments and mobilizing your support network. Acknowledge and accept your anxieties, get methods for exploring your fears and learn relaxation and other techniques to cope. |
2/25/2007
Partners in Survival: For Men Only
Matthew J. Loscalzo, MSW
| This workshop for male caregivers aims to assist you in helping the women in your life face breast cancer. Obtain problem-solving strategies, listening skills, methods to communicate with your partner and ways to acknowledge her fears. Understand the differences in the way men and women communicate, and learn how those differences can strengthen the way you talk about breast cancer and other aspects of your relationship. |
2/24/2007
Moving On: Discovering Your New Normal
Ronnie Kaye, MFT
| This insightful, funny and practical discussion focuses on life after treatment ends. Ronnie Kaye, MFT, author of Spinning Straw Into Gold, explores how to cope with fears of recurrence, friends and family who have trouble talking about cancer and grief over the loss of feelings of immortality. Learn listening and communications skills that will hep you ask for and get the support you need. |
2/24/2007
Medical Update for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer
Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, MD, FACP
| Get the latest information on treatments and medical concerns for premenopausal women. Dr. Olopade explains the different types of breast cancer (estrogen receptor-positive, triple-negative and others) and why some treatments work better for certain kinds of breast cancer. She also discusses genetics and assessing risk, lifestyle changes, chemopreventive medicines like tamoxifen, targeted therapies like trastuzumab (Herceptin) and the role of newer tests such as Oncotype DX in helping your doctor determine treatment options. |
2/24/2007
Understanding Pain Management and Palliative Care: for Young Women with Advanced Breast Cancer
Andrew Tyler Putnam, MD
| This transcript from the 7th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer touches on issues that impact women of all ages, including the difference between palliative care and hospice, how care changes over time or under different circumstances and how to describe pain to your physician. Dr. Putnam tackles many common questions about fear of addiction, different types and levels of pain and finding the right medication or mix of medicines for you. |
2/23/2007
Good Science, Effective Advocacy: Learning About Research and Helping to Make it Happen
Jane Reese Coulbourne, MS-ChE, MBA
| This discussion of science and policy provides you with tools to become a successful advocate. Learn about resources that will help you evaluate the clinical trials used to approve new medicines and therapies, and get the basics of the drug development process. The speaker, who is a breast cancer survivor and advocate, discusses different types of funding for research, historic legislation on breast cancer, the role of advocates in clinical trials and how to work with state and national government. |
2/23/2007
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Update on Treatments and Options
Maria Theodoulou, MD
| Learn about the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, how to educate healthcare professionals, why IBC looks and grows differently than other types of breast cancers and the latest surgical and medical options. Get tips on how to call attention to your concerns when you suspect IBC, what tests and scans should be done to confirm a diagnosis and how to talk to family members about breast cancer risk. This publication contains helpful information for anyone concerned about inflammatory breast cancer, but Dr. Theodoulou pays particular attention to the unique needs of premenopausal women. |
1/17/2007
Advances in Detection and Treatment:Updates from the 29th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Debu Tripathy, MD
| Make sense of research presented at the largest annual gathering of breast cancer specialists in the world. Learn about genetic profiling, vaccines to prevent recurrences of HER2/neu positive breast cancers, clinical trials on tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors, MRI and other screening methods for women at high risk for developing breast cancer, new chemotherapy combinations, radiation therapy in women over age 70 and other cutting-edge findings. |
11/4/2006
Medical Updates for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Jennifer Armstrong, MD
| Learn about the medical issues in early-stage (stages 1, 2 and 3) breast cancer. Understand the pathology report, tests to determine the type and extent of cancer, medical and surgical treatments, hormonal and targeted treatments and side effect prevention. Explore the differences in treatments for pre- and post-menopausal women. |
11/4/2006
Maintaining Healthy Weight and Nutrition Through Diagnosis and Beyond
Debra DeMille, MS, RD, LDN
| Learn how to use nutrition to bolster your well being during treatment and decrease your risk for recurrence in the years beyond. Hear about the latest studies, explore how the foods you eat can help you manage treatment side effects and learn effective ways to lose weight and keep it off. Discusses soy, flaxseed, calcium and Vitamin D, fat types and balanced nutrition. |
11/4/2006
Managing the Physical Side Effects of Treatment
Evelyn Robles-Rodriguez, RN, MSN, APN,C, AOCN
| Learn about short- and long-term side effects and get practical tips for managing them. Among the topics explored are: nausea and vomiting, neuropathy, lymphedema, insomnia and fatigue, menopausal symptoms and hot flashes, difficulties with memory and thinking and hair loss. |
11/4/2006
Surviving and Thriving: The Breast Cancer Toolbox
Ronnie Kaye, MFT
| In this plenary session from our fall conference, Ronnie Kaye discusses tools that can help you recover emotionally from a diagnosis of breast cancer. With her trademark humor and compassion, Ronnie discusses the role of patience, validation, communciation and crisis intervention; provides methods to deal with "PWACs" (people without a clue); explores the negative side of "thinking positive"; and gives you tools to work on the mind-body connection. |
11/4/2006
The Body Beautiful: Reclaiming Body Image and Intimacy
Helen L. Coons, PhD
| Explore how breast cancer treatments may impact your sexual functioning and learn methods to recapture feelings of desire. Get practical tips and exercises to start a conversation with your partner, and learn about products that can help you cope with vaginal changes. If you are a single person, hear stories about sharing your diagnosis with potential partners and learn methods to communicate your needs. |
11/4/2006
Breast Cancer and the Search for Meaning
Ronnie Kaye, MFT
| Ronnie Kaye, author of Spinning Straw Into Gold, discusses her two diagnoses of breast cancer and the lessons she learned about what it means to be a "survivor." In this reflective, personal and far-reaching closing plenary session to our annual fall conference, Ronnie explores her feelings around setting boundaries, spirituality, fears of recurrence, fears of pain and death, asking for help, the meaning of mortality and the purpose of life. |
11/4/2006
The Latest Medical and Complementary Approaches for Advanced Breast Cancer
Gloria J. Morris, MD, PhD, and Steven Rosenzweig, MD
| Learn about recent clinical trials and medical treatments for advanced breast cancer, including breast cancer hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, targeted (biological) therapies and bisphosphonates; and explore the spectrum of integrative and complementary therapies like herbs, supplements and mind-body options. |
10/25/2006
Managing Symptoms and Side Effects: A Holistic Approach to Advanced Breast Cancer
Virginia F. Borges, MD
| An informative and compassionate look at the symptoms and side effects you may experience while living with advanced (metastatic) breast cancer. Learn about the differences between symptoms of disease and side effects of treatment; managing pain symptoms with traditional and complementary therapies; coping with fatigue, nausea, hot flashes, sexual concerns and neuropathy; and remaining hopeful while undergoing treatment. |
10/17/2006
Medical Update on Treatments and Clinical Trials for Advanced Breast Cancer
Jeffrey B. Smerage, MD, PhD
| Understand the basics of advanced breast cancer, including the definition of metastasis, survival statistics, treatment goals and available treatments. Learn about clinical trials for a test that studies the effectiveness of treatment by measuring circulating tumor cells in the blood, and find out about new, targeted agents of interest in metastatic breast cancer. |
9/26/2006
Hormonal Therapy: Making Decisions and Quality of Life After Breast Cancer
Ruth Oratz, MD, FACP
| Understand how tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors work to prevent recurrences of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Learn about common side effects and methods to treat them, and find out about past research and ongoing clinical trials comparing effectiveness and studying length of treatment. |
7/26/2006
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Understanding Medical and Quality-of-Life Issues
Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE, and Ginny Mason, BSN, RN
| Learn the definition, signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer; about standard and cutting-edge treatments; the emotional issues related to IBC; and how to find resources and other women coping with this diagnosis. |
6/1/2006
Enhancing Your Well-Being With Integrative Medicine and Complementary Approaches
Barrie R. Cassileth, MS, PhD
| This teleconference transcript discusses complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including the differences between complementary and alternative methods, different ways of using CAM to manage side effects, using evidence-based methods and talking with healthcare providers about your needs. |
5/16/2006
Fashion Your Best Fit: Breast Prostheses and Intimate Clothing
Amy L. Davis, CFm
| Learn about the variety of products you can use to feel good about yourself and enhance your self esteem. Understand the differences among prosthetic products, the importance of using a qualified bra fitter and the variety of clothes you can use to create a flattering sillouette. Contains links to many resources for prostheses and intimate clothing. |
4/7/2006
DCIS and LCIS: Understanding and Managing Non-Invasive Breast Cancers
Patrick I. Borgen, MD
| Teleconference focusing on the latest medical developments for DCIS and LCIS and how to reduce your risk of developing invasive disease. |
2/26/2006
Ask the Expert Panel at the 6th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer
Virginia F. Borges, MD; Harri Brackett, RN, MS, OCN; Leah Brecher-Cohn, LMFT, MA, MS Ed
| In the concluding plenary session of LBBC's conference with the Young Survival Coalition, the speakers explore a variety of issues of concern to young women, including treatment options, coping with fears of recurrence, fertility and pregnancy, side effects like chemo brain and menopausal symptoms and complementary and alternative therapies. |
2/25/2006
Finding Your Way: Dating After Breast Cancer
Laura L. Grimes, LCSW
| Address your concerns about dating after breast cancer, including when to start, how soon to share your health history and how to explain your experiences to a potential partner. This workshop from the 6th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer features tips on creating an online dating profile and speaks to a diversity of intimate relationships. |
2/25/2006
Lymphedema Prevention and Treatment: What You Need To Know
Trudy Turvey, MS, PT
| Learn what lymphedema is, why it occurs and the difference between lymphedema and post-surgical swelling. Understand the impact of infection, good skin care, burns, insect bites, surgical procedures and more. Find out about the value of excercise, early treatment and physical therapy in helping you enhance your quality of life. |
2/25/2006
Understanding Pain Management and Other End-of-Life Issues
Harri Brackett, RN, MS, OCN
| Learn about the safety and efficacy of medications and methods to manage and lessen pain for advanced (metastatic) breast cancer. Understand advanced care planning, advanced directives, hospice and methods to ensure your wishes are followed when you can no longer communicate them yourself. |
2/25/2006
Understanding the Impact of Cancer on Your Intimate Relationships
Helen L. Coons, PhD
| Explore how a cancer diagnosis impacts your relationships. Get tips on communicating your needs to family and friends, talking about intimacy and sexuality, honoring anniversary and milestone dates and coping with fears of recurrence. |
2/25/2006
Medical Advances for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer
Kimberly L. Blackwell, MD
| In this plenary session from the 6th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer, Kimberly L. Blackwell, MD, explores the biology of breast cancer in young women; chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted treatments; fertility and pregnancy; ovarian suppression; genetic abnormalities; and more. |
2/24/2006
Feeling Your Best: Techniques to Enhance Your Appearance During and After Treatment
Emily Spivack and Lori Ovitz
| This transcript from the 6th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer discusses simple and practical ways to improve your quality of life using clothing and make-up. Learn to layer clothing to manage unevenness and life with hot flashes, and get tips on how to use make-up to create eyebrows, add color to your face and help you feel better about yourself. |
2/24/2006
Using Creative Arts to Complement Your Well-Being
Lori L. Baur, MA, MT-BC
| Learn easy, practical ways to use the creative arts to improve your quality of life. Understand the difference between creative arts and creative arts therapy; how to choose projects based on how far away you are from your diagnosis; and different ways to use music, sewing, writing, movement and storytelling. Includes a useful "Resource List" for getting started. |
1/31/2006
Aromatase Inhibitors: When to Consider Using Them and Why
D. Lawrence Wickerham, MD
| A look at the aromatase inhibitors and how they are advancing hormonal treatment for postmenopausal women. Includes discussion of side effects, use after tamoxifen, continuing clinical trials, and more. |
