Surviving and Thriving

2017 Cancer Survivor Symposium to Highlight Health and Healing

The 13th annual Celebrating the Art of Healing cancer survivor symposium, titled “Survivorship and Beyond,” will take place on Saturday, April 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a new location, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa, 10109 E. 79^th St. This free event is open to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Neil Caporaso, MD, branch chief and senior investigator with the Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics at the National Cancer Institute, will give the keynote address. Caporaso will share his insights on the very latest data involving cancer – what we have learned this year and what is on the horizon. Since 1996, he has been the Chief of the Pharmacogenetics Section, Genetic Epidemiology Branch. Caporaso is a current member of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) steering committee, the DCEG Lung Cancer Interest Group, the NCI Program Review Group for Lung Cancer, and the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) Biomarkers and Research Evaluation Subcommittees. He is published in numerous medical journals, including the Oxford University Press.

The symposium will also feature six breakout sessions covering a range of topics from breast reconstruction alternatives to eating well for healing, and the impact of both laughter and stress on wellness.

“Reaching out to support cancer patients and survivors, as well as the vast network of family, friends and medical professionals that assist in their healing, is at the heart of this event,” said Faith Boudreau, MSW, LCSW, MPS, one of the original founders and coordinators of the annual symposium. “Celebrating the Art of Healing is a unique day for participants to relax, learn new information, and feel encouraged as they face and work to overcome the challenges of cancer.”

The year’s breakout topics will include:  Breast Beauty, Movement Matters (Breath, Core and Balance), Laughter Yoga, The Power of Food for Cancer Prevention and Survival, Numbness and Fall Risk after Chemotherapy and Mind/Body Connection.

The event is sponsored by St. John Health System, Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, CTCA, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Saint Francis Health System, Saint Francis Hospice, and Bette and Wynn Wozobski. Space is limited, so registration is requested. A complimentary lunch will be provided. To register, email eat0@eau0eav0eaw0