Survivorship Educational Programs
Every Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00, the Cancer Survivorship Program generally presents two or more educational topics that complement the clinical services and which are open to cancer survivors and their families and caregivers. Each class is 30 minutes long and each is given twice in the one hour period so that both can be attended. Additional topics to the regular listings may be added periodically.
To enroll in a class, please call the Cancer Survivorship Clinic at 603-650-6344.
Please note that our 2009 class meeting dates and times are currently under development.
Topic Areas and Information About Classes
Click on the following topics to see more information and scheduled classes.
- Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives
- Anxiety and Depression
- Bone Health
- Cognitive Deficits
- Cancer Prevention for Survivors
- Exercise and Rehabilitation
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Intimacy and Sexuality
- Finding Meaning Within
- Nutrition and the Cancer Survivor
- Pain Management
- Tobacco Cessation
- Loss of Employment After Cancer Treatment
Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives
"Everything You Should Know, But Were Afraid to Ask!"
Who will speak for you about medical decisions if you can't? Does this person know your wishes about medical treatments you would or would not want? It's so easy to put off thinking about illness or incapacity-But we are all mortal. Advance directives are legal documents that communicate your wishes to your family and health care team if you ever can't speak for yourself. This brief session introduces you to the topic, describes what a health care proxy / durable power of attorney for health care is, what a "living will" or "treatment document" is and how to complete one.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Anxiety and Depression
“You Don’t Need to Sing the Blues”
Periods of anxiety or depression are common among cancer survivors. This educational session will focus on the causes of anxiety and depression specific to cancer survivors. We’ll cover what is normal, and what might need treatment. We will explore what personal resources you may have to cope with survivor anxiety and/or depression, as well as identify what you may need to live a healthier, more relaxed, and happier life.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Bone Health
Cancer Treatment-Induced Bone Loss: “Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis”
The objective of the workshop is to increase survivor awareness of the potential risk of bone loss with certain cancer therapies. How can cancer treatment diminish bone health? Are you at risk? How is bone mineral density measured? What behaviors can help? What are treatment options? This topic will yield a discussion on risks, screening, life style behaviors, and potential treatment.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Cognitive Deficits
“When You Forgot to Remember”
This topic will explore how cancer treatment affects brain function and can lead to changes in memory and concentration for cancer survivors. Strategies to manage these changes will be discussed.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Cancer Prevention for Survivors
“Cancer Prevention for Survivors”
Learn about how to prevent second cancers and live healthy as a cancer survivor. Nutritional and lifestyle changes can make a difference! Find out what myths are out there, and what the latest research is saying about cancer prevention.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Exercise and Rehabilitation
“Exercise, Rehabilitation and Recovery”
This session will focus on the use of exercise to recover and maintain health. What is safe? How do guidelines apply to cancer survivors? The session will include self-tests, motivation tricks and discussion of rehabilitation and community resources.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Fatigue
“When Your Get up and Go, Got up and Went”
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
This educational session will focus on insomnia. We will explore what causes problems sleeping and discuss ways to manage those nights when we just can’t sleep. Cognitive therapy, medication management, and behavior modification strategies will be presented.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Intimacy and Sexuality
Sexual health is a part of physical health and function. Everyone’s sexuality is different- sexuality changes over time as we age. Emotional, mental, and social parts of a person all affect their sexuality. Sexuality changes as we age and mature. It can especially change when you've been diagnosed and treated for cancer. This session discusses these changes and also addresses what you can do to improve your sexual health after cancer treatment.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Finding Meaning Within
Spirituality is that part of us which is our humanity- our completeness or wholeness. It has been described as that which allows a person to experience meaning in life, often expressed as a relationship with God, but can also be about nature, art, music, family, or community- whatever beliefs and values give a person a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Another view describes spirituality as a “web” of relationships that give meaning to our lives. We may be unaware of the web until a strand breaks from a life-changing event, causing us to lose our sense of wholeness and resulting in spiritual distress.
This educational session will focus on finding and maintaining spiritual wholeness through exercises such as writing, and activities that explore what inner resources are available to us, and what resources we might need during times of spiritual distress.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Nutrition and the Cancer Survivor
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Pain Management for the Cancer Survivor
This session is targeted for survivors who as a result of their disease, need to remain on pain medication. We’ll discuss different medications both opioid and non-opioid, long term side effects, and strategies for better control. Learn how to get the most out of your pain management plan!
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.
Tobacco Cessation Informational Session
“Quit for Life”
These sessions will focus on the cause and treatment of tobacco addiction. Plan a strategy for quitting your tobacco habit forever! Support for the quitting process, and ideas to help you stay quit will be given.
Check back soon for our 2009 meeting dates and times.Coping with Loss of Employment Following Cancer Treatment
What happens if you can’t do your job after you complete your therapy for cancer? What do you do if you are handed a pink slip after you return to work? What recourse do you have? What are the laws that protect you? What are your options? Come find out more about these and other issues at this session designed for those who either can’t continue working at their previous job, or who lose their job as a result of cancer treatment.
