In:
Journal of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Vol. 35, No. 5_suppl ( 2017-02-10), p. 208-208
Abstract:
208 Background: In The Indian Scenario, a diagnosis of cancer is accompanied with social stigma and emotional upheavals, especially in breast cancer patients. They are typically thinking: “I would be less of a woman,” “I don’t know if people understand me,” “I feel isolated from myself, my family and my friends,” “Would I be normal again?” “Do I know how to help myself?” or “What will happen in the future, to my kids, to my husband?” Methods: All of these concerns are not always addressed by the medical professions. To address these issues, the Indian Breast Cancer Survivors Conference was organized as an annual conference with an attendance of 200-250 breast cancer survivors from the state of Maharashtra, India. The conference would address the psychological, emotional and social distress experienced by the patients with an aim from living a longer life to living a better and fulfilled life. Results: The emphasis of the sessions were educational (with recent updates on the surgical, medical and radiation therapy aspects of breast cancer treatment), practical (emphasized important issues like side-effects of treatment, patient advocacy, complementary therapies, spirituality, lifestyle changes, etc.), and entertaining. The summary and outcomes of the last 5 annual survivorship conferences will be described and enumerated. Results of questionnaires administered during the last 2 conferences and addressing health behavior patterns of survivors will be presented. Conclusions: We can evaluate through post conference support group discussions and conference feedback, qualify patient psychological and social health as 1) Physical:There are side effects but I choose to go on; 2) Mental: There are times that I am low, depressed, anxious, scared, guilty, but this is my new normal; 3) Emotional:Little things upset me, angry quickly but I am dealing with it; 4)Spiritual:Moved away from bargaining with God to accepting, from rituals to spiritual; 5) Social:don’t hesitate to reach out for support and to support; and 5) Intellectual:Knowledge is power, so I have learned to ask, to question, and then to decide. Achieving psychological and social health is the effort of the patient, the treating team and the support group.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0732-183X
,
1527-7755
DOI:
10.1200/JCO.2017.35.5_suppl.208
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Publication Date:
2017
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2005181-5
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