CCSN’s PanCanadian ‘Cancer Can’t Wait’ Virtual Action Week #2

Panelists: Dave Nitsche & Loverne Wowk

Hosted by: David Klug, CCSN Public Affairs Consultant

In this webinar:

21 months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of cancer patients across Canada still report their cancer care appointments are cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled.Throughout the pandemic, CCSN has been meeting virtually with elected officials from across the country – provincial and federal – to discuss our COVID-19 and Cancer Care Disruption Survey. Our survey confirmed that measures in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to negatively impact cancer patients and pre-diagnosis patients’ ability to access cancer care services. In our meetings, we explored some of the key findings of our survey, shared stories from cancer patients, and discussed the need to ensure that access to cancer care remain a priority during and beyond this wave of COVID-19 and any subsequent pandemics. In this second webinar, of our 3 part series, the focus shifts from discussing the key findings from our survey, to hearing the stories of our advocates Dave Nitsche & Loverne Wowk, 2 of our cancer advocates. Afterwards, our Public Affairs Consultant, David Klug, will facilitate a Q&A session.

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CCSN’s PanCanadian ‘Cancer Can’t Wait’ Virtual Action Week #1

Panelists: Andrea Redway, Deborah Peniuk, & Jennifer Roy

Hosted by: Conrad Eder, CCSN Public Policy Analyst

In this webinar:

21 months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of cancer patients across Canada still report their cancer care appointments are cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled.Throughout the pandemic, CCSN has been meeting virtually with elected officials from across the country – provincial and federal – to discuss our COVID-19 and Cancer Care Disruption Survey. Our survey confirmed that measures in place to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to negatively impact cancer patients and pre-diagnosis patients’ ability to access cancer care services. In our meetings, we explored some of the key findings of our survey, shared stories from cancer patients, and discussed the need to ensure that access to cancer care remain a priority during and beyond this wave of COVID-19 and any subsequent pandemics. In this first webinar, of our 3 part series, we will discuss the key findings from our survey, take a closer look at the data, and hear the stories Andrea Redway, Deborah Peniuk, & Jennifer Roy, 3 of our cancer advocates. Afterwards, our Public Policy Analyst, Conrad Eder, will facilitate a Q&A session.

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Healthy Communication & Cancer

Presented by: Genevieve Stonebridge, MA, RCC

In this webinar:

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is pleased to have Registered Clinical Counsellor Genevieve Stonebridge from InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care present this webinar. InspireHealth is a Canadian leader in supportive cancer care with medical doctors, clinical counsellors, dietitians, exercise therapists all working together to support you and your family in your cancer experience. Healthy communication can be a lofty goal at the best of times- and even more so while living with cancer and its stresses. This workshop aims to provide you with practical tools to help build skills in healthy communication and mindful listening. These tools can help decrease stress and increase connection with oneself and others.

About the presenter:

Genevieve Stonebridge has been working in cancer care since 2010, and with InspireHealth as a clinical counsellor since 2015.?She is passionate about supporting people living with, through or beyond a cancer diagnosis. With compassion, creativity and openness she believes in meeting patients where they are at. From her personal and professional experience, Genevieve knows how important communication skills are while navigating the health care system and in interpersonal relationships too. First introduced to Inspire Health in 2001, when she herself was diagnosed with cancer as a young adult, Genevieve was strongly influenced by InspireHealth’s patient-centered approach – especially the benefits of personal reflection and self-care gained through counselling, meditation, movement and fun. Now cancer-free for over 15 years, Genevieve is devoted to creating safe and inspiring places for people to explore their cancer experience. This includes holding space for both the suffering and joys of life. Genevieve lives in Victoria, BC, with her husband and grey tabby cat Gus. She is a qualified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher in training, and weaves mindfulness into everything she does.

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What Canadians Should Know About the Canadian National Breast Screening StudiesThe Emotional Impact of Cancer

Presented by: Daniel Kopans, MD

In this webinar:

1. The Canadian National Breast Screening Studies (CNBSS) are major outliers among the Randomized, Controlled Trials (RCT) of screening (which are the only way to prove that screening saves lives).  Contrary to the other RCTs which proved a benefit (lives saved) from screening women ages 40-74 (the ages of the women who participated) the CNBSS showed no benefit from screening for women at any age.
2. From the beginning there have been questions about how the trial was performed.
   • Their own review showed that the quality of the mammography was “poor to unacceptable” for much of the trials.
   • They violated the fundamental rules for RCTs by examining all of the women prior to assigning them to the study arms or the control arms and then assigned women on open lists – another major violation.  This provided the opportunity to assign women out of random order and “load” the screening side with women with advanced cancers, biasing the results.
   • The data have always suggested an assignment imbalance.  A technologist in the trial recently confirmed that this happened. By corrupting random assignment, the results of the CNBSS become unreliable.
3. The results of the CNBSS should not be sued to guide screening which has been proven to save lives for women ages 40-74.

About the presenter:

Daniel B. Kopans, MD, is the founder of the Breast Imaging Division of the
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and a Professor of Radiology at the Harvard Medical School. He is an internationally recognized expert in breast cancer detection and diagnosis.

An honors graduate from Harvard College and an Alpha Omega Alpha graduate of Harvard Medical School he completed a medical internship at Dartmouth Medical School and returned to Boston for his radiology training at the MGH which he completed in 1977 after which he was appointed Head of the Xeroradiography Division in 1978. He changed the name of the Division to “Breast Imaging”. His was the first “Breast Imaging” Division in the World and he gave the name to his fledgling subspecialty.

Dr. Kopans coined the name “Breast Imaging” and helped to found the new specialty. He developed Breast Imaging at the MGH from caring for 2000 women each year to over 35,000 women each year.

He is author or co-author of more than 250 scientific publications and single author of a major 1000 page textbook entitled “Breast Imaging”, now in its third edition.

In the late 1970’s Dr. Kopans recognized the importance of monitoring the outcomes of breast evaluation and developed his own, computer reporting system. He developed a structured approach to mage analysis and reporting that facilitated concise and action-oriented reports while organizing the follow-up of patients to monitor and learn from outcomes.

He was co-Chairman of the original American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) committee. The computerized reporting system that he developed at the MGH was the model for BIRADS promoting action-oriented reports and outcomes monitoring.

He is the inventor and led the development of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT). He convinced GE, Siemens, and Hologic of the importance of DBT and helped them develop their systems. DBT is rapidly replacing conventional 2D mammography.

Dr. Kopans has received numerous awards around the World for his work. Among many, he has been awarded the Gold Medal from the Society of Breast Imaging.

Basing his arguments on science and evidence, Dr. Kopans has been a champion of breast cancer screening and has been a major factor in preserving access for women ages 40-74 to early detection with lifesaving results.

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The Emotional Impact of Cancer

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is pleased to have Dr. Lori McFarlane from InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care present this webinar. InspireHealth is a Canadian leader in integrative cancer care with medical doctors, clinical counsellors, dietitians and exercise therapists all working together to support you on your cancer journey. This session will discuss the emotional aspects of a cancer journey and explore ways to express and manage emotions to help improve our health and well-being.

About the presenter:

Dr. Lori McFarlane graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1987 with a BSc in Health Studies. In 1991, she received her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Western Ontario. After completing her Family Medicine residency at UBC in 1993, she practiced full-service Family Medicine with an emphasis on obstetrics in Vancouver. In 2008, she moved to Denman Island and continued to practice family medicine in Courtenay.

In 2013, Dr. McFarlane was delighted to join the InspireHealth team. She is honoured to provide support and empower patients as they navigate through a cancer journey and she believes that exploring the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of illness and wellness may allow wholeness and healing, even in the palliative setting.

For her own self-care, she strums on her ukulele, tends her garden, practices yoga, hikes and cherishes time spent with her husband of 35 years.

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How to Have Your Voice Heard During the September 20th, 2021 Federal Election

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network was pleased to have Ryan Clarke from CRG-Eversana Canada Inc., a company advancing life sciences towards a healthier world. He will be discussing the topic of: “How to Have Your Voice Heard During the September 20, 2021, Federal Election.”

The outcomes for the webinar are:

1. In the context of the current federal election, attendees will better appreciate the delineation between federal and provincial roles in healthcare.

2. People will be taken through some specific advocacy engagement tactics aimed at candidates, including developing your own key messages.

3. Everyone will understand the importance of reaching out to the newly (re)elected MPs after September 20.

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Situation Critical! New survey reveals COVID-19 continues to disrupt cancer care

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network commissioned Leger, a Canadian-owned polling and market research firm, to discover how the disruption of cancer care has affected Canadian cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. This third survey Leger conducted for CCSN took place from June 10 to July 4, 2021.

Join CCSN and Leger as we present the results of the survey on COVID-19 and Cancer Care Disruption in Canada – Wave 3, and hear from members of the cancer community about how the pandemic has directly impacted them.

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Tumour Agnostic Treatments and the Future of Specialized Medicine: From a Clinician and Patient Perspective

Twenty years ago, Dr. Poul Sorensen discovered a gene mutation in a rare paediatric cancer, which has led to the development of a new drug that can target a variety of tumour types that originate in different parts of the body . This cancer type, known as TRK fusion cancer, occurs when the over-expression of a TRK fusion protein results in the growth of a tumour. Larotrectinib (Vitravki®) is an example of a tumour agnostic treatment, which targets tumours not according to their location in the body, but by targeting a certain property of the tumour cells, called a biomarker.

In this webinar, we will hear from Dr. Sorensen about his groundbreaking discovery and how it contributed to the development of tumour agnostic treatments. Dr. Zulfiqar, a medical oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency, will further discuss TRK fusion cancers and how he has been able to treat patients. Lastly, we will hear from Ted Taylor, a TRK fusion cancer patient diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) multiform being treated with Vitrakvi.

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HPV Prevention for Cancer Survivors | Featuring a Session on Reducing Stress and Anxiety with Mindfulness

This unique webinar will provide cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers with practical information about HPV prevention along with guidance on how to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into one’s lifestyle.

Dr. Durand will review the changing landscape of HPV-related diseases and cancers. We will discuss methods of HPV prevention for current cancer patients and cancer survivors. Attendees will learn about the evidence for HPV vaccination in adults. Practical tips will be provided on how to access HPV vaccination.

Abbey Morris will unpack the profound impact of mindfulness and meditation in reducing stress and anxiety. She will explain why mindfulness is so important, how we can fit it into our own lives in a way that works for us & practice a mindfulness exercise together to explore these strategies further. Throughout this presentation she will discuss ways to make this simple for us to bring into our day to day.

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CCSN’s Ontario Virtual Action Week: COVID-19 and Cancer Care – Wave 2

In April, CCSN virtually met with MPPs throughout Ontario to discuss our COVID-19 and Cancer Care – Wave 2 Survey. During these meetings, we discussed the difficulty cancer patients and pre-diagnosis patients have had with accessing cancer services during the pandemic and the importance of ensuring the cancer patients receive their 1st and 2nd vaccine doses in a timely manner.

In this webinar, CCSN’s Public Policy Analyst Conrad will begin by sharing some of the highlights from our meetings with Ontario MPPs. He will then turn things over to our patient advocates and they will share some of their reflections from our meetings as well as their own experiences with accessing cancer care during the pandemic. Lastly, Conrad will take a closer look at the Ontario data from our survey.

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What’s New in the Treatment of Gliomas (Brain Tumours): a Neuro-Oncologist’s Perspective

This presentation will highlight the promising new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of gliomas, with a focus on trials or therapies that will soon be available for Canadian patients.

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CCSN’s Virtual Action Week: Highlights from our Meetings with Alberta MLAs

During March, CCSN and patient advocates met with Alberta MLAs to discuss our COVID-19 and Care Care Disruption – Wave 2 Survey and the importance of prioritizing cancer patients in the vaccine rollout. In this webinar, we will hear from Tim Monds, a lung cancer patient advocate, share some outcomes from our meetings, discuss the key findings from our survey, and take a closer look at the Alberta data.

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Building Equitable Patient Partnerships with EMPaCT – identifying goals and opportunities

Join Alies Maybee, a patient partner, and Dr. Ambreen Sayani, a patient-oriented researcher as they talk about Equity-Mobilizing Partnerships in Community (EMPaCT) a patient partnership model co-designed to center the voices of diverse community members and build capacity for equitable patient-oriented partnerships. In this webinar, Alies and Ambreen describe how they engaged multiple stakeholders including institutional leadership, funding bodies, knowledge users and most importantly, the patient community to identify common goals and intersecting opportunities and channelled them to create clear health-equity oriented pathways to change.

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Nutrition Surveillance and Counselling for Cancer Survivors

In this webinar, Dr. Rogers discusses:

1. Nutrition from a cancer control perspective
2. The importance of continuous longitudinal nutritional assessment from diagnosis through survivorship
3. The role of nutrition on the well being of cancer survivors and chronic disease prevention
4. Incorporating nutritional research in survivorship research

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Drug Approval & Reimbursement Processes in Canada

In this webinar: 

1) Attendees will be provided with an overview of the drug approval and reimbursement processes.
2) People will be taken through a review of the updated CADTH patient group/clinician input processes.
3) Everyone will have a better understanding of how the processes are connected and flow into one another.

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Your Vaccine Questions Answered: COVID-19, Cancer & Immunocompromised Populations

In this webinar:

The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network and the Lung Health Foundation have collaborated to organize a webinar to address concerns that cancer patients and other immunocompromised populations may have about the COVID-19 vaccine. Our panel, which consists of an oncologist and infectious disease and vaccine experts, will discuss themes including: vaccine safety, efficacy, prioritization, and next steps.

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Let’s Talk Lymphedema

Date held: March 4, 2021

In this webinar:

Our presenters will talk about the work the LAO does, provide information about the causes and symptoms of lymphedema, and inform lymphedema patients on how to access help and support. They will also include the physiotherapist perspective and discuss what treatments are available.

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EXCEL: EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well

Date held: February 25, 2021

In this webinar:

Attendees will learn about the role of exercise in the cancer care pathway, and the potential benefits from building a habit of moving more. We will also discuss the EXCEL study: EXercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well, and how it is providing a sustainable exercise and behaviour change program to those living with cancer in rural and remote regions across Canada. Learn what is involved in this exercise research program and how to get involved online now!

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Who Does What in Canada’s Healthcare System

Date held: February 18, 2021

In this webinar:

1) Attendees will be provided with an overview of the structure of our healthcare systems.
2) People will be taken through a review of the Canada Health Act.
3) Everyone will have a better understanding of the intersection between delivery vs. financing in healthcare.

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Impact of COVID-19 Crisis on Cancer Patients and their Ability to Receive Treatment – Wave 2

Date held: February 4, 2021

In this webinar, CCSN and Leger presented the results of the COVID-19 and Cancer Care Disruption in Canada Survey – Wave 2.

In May-June, 2020, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) commissioned Leger to conduct a national survey to evaluate the impact that COVID-19 has had on cancer patients, survivors, pre-diagnosis patients, and caregivers. The results of our first survey revealed that the pandemic response has triggered another public health crisis – the postponement and cancellation of essential cancer tests, procedures, and treatments.

CCSN commissioned Leger for a second survey in December, 2020 to evaluate the impact that the suspension of cancer services during the first wave is currently having on those who have been affected by cancer.

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How Government Works in Canada

Date held: January 21, 2021

In this webinar, attendees were provided with an overview of the structure of our federal/provincial governments. People were taken through a review of how citizens can engage our decision-makers and everyone was also given an understanding of the importance of advocacy in the context of elections.

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