Watch the recording of Day 1 of the 2021 Virtual CPAT Symposium: 

WELCOME AND OPENING FIRESIDE CHAT

Lisa Rice, Caregiver, Patient Advocate, Survivor, and NCCS Board Member

Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP

NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso kicks off the 2021 CPAT Symposium with a “fireside chat” (minus the fire since it’s summer in steamy Washington, DC) with Lisa Rice cancer survivor, advocate, caregiver, and NCCS board member. Lisa was an advocate and caregiver before her own diagnosis, and she will share how her experience taught her to advocate for herself in her own cancer care.

PANEL DISCUSSION | COVID AND CANCER

In the last 18 months, our worlds changed. Cancer survivors faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Dr. Otis Brawley, who will share what we know and don’t know about the impact of COVID and the effectiveness of the COVID vaccines for cancer survivors. A panel of patient advocates will share how COVID affected their lives, their health, and their advocacy efforts. 

EATING WELL: HEALTH HAS NEVER TASTED SO GOOD, WITH CHEF LAURA POLE

Join chef, oncology nurse and musician (Chefnurcian) Laura Pole and explore the healing practice of eating well. You'll learn some tips on health supportive food selection and eating, and how this helps create a body that cancer doesn't like. Chef Laura will wrap up with a demonstration, giving you a "virtual taste" of a delicious, nourishing snack.

Session Slide Deck
Chocolate or Carob Banana Smoothie Recipe
Smoothie Video
Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) "Dirty Dozen"
Smith Center website

HEALTH EQUITY - WHAT CAN ADVOCATES DO IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES?

The COVID pandemic laid bare the inequities in our health care system. Cancer advocates have long worked to reduce disparities in outcomes through public policy efforts to improve access to care and increase participation in clinical trials. There are actions advocates can take at a local level to make a difference. In this session, NCCS advocates will share how they are working in their own communities to address disparities and move toward health equity.

USING HUMOR TO TELL YOUR STORY

Cancer is serious, but you can still find humor in the everyday of living with a cancer diagnosis. As an advocate, you share your story. Using humor can give your story more energy and make a lasting impression on your audience. Author, coach, comedian, caregiver, and recent cancer survivor Jen Coken will lead a workshop on using humor to tell your story.

Download the Telling Your Story Worksheet (PDF Format)

Download the Telling Your Story Worksheet (Word Doc)

THE POWER OF VISUALIZATION WITH DR. WENDY S. HARPHAM

Visualization is a supportive therapy that many patients find helpful. It can help calm anxiety, motivate proper actions, boost confidence, decrease pain, and strengthen hope. Join Dr. Wendy S. Harpham, an internist, cancer survivor, and author, to learn more about the benefits and limits of visualization during treatment, recovery, and long-term survivorship.

Dr. Wendy Harpham's Website

CANCER POLICY IN 2021

Debra Curtis, McDermott+Consulting

Elizabeth Goss, JD, Turner & Goss, LLP

Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP

The pandemic has had a lasting impact on health care, including cancer care. In this session, we will talk with two seasoned health policy experts about key health policy issues in 2021 and the political and policy environment in Washington, DC.  

LIVE FROM CAPITOL HILL!
HILL DAY 2021 | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

This session will prepare you for virtual Hill visits with your members of Congress. We’ll talk about the legislative ask and tips for successful meetings. Even if you aren’t participating in Hill week meetings, you will benefit from hearing from members of Congress, Congressional staff, and experienced advocates. 

Watch the recording of the Sex and Cancer Breakout Session from Day 3 of the 2021 Virtual CPAT Symposium: 

SEX AND CANCER

Cancer survivors frequently experience sexual side effects, including both physical issues and concerns with intimacy. Yet, sexual concerns are often not discussed or addressed. Join Dr. Don Dizon, a medical oncologist who specializes in women’s cancers, survivorship issues, and sexual health after cancer, for some frank talk about sex after cancer. Dr. Dizon is a social media  phenomenon who shares educational videos on TikTok, where he is rapidly approaching 40,000 followers. Mary McCabe, retired oncology nurse and former director of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Initiative Cancer Survivorship, will moderate the discussion. Bring your questions!

Watch the recording of the Survivorship Champions- Grand Rounds Breakout Session from Day 3 of the 2021 Virtual CPAT Symposium: 

SURVIVORSHIP CHAMPIONS | GRAND ROUNDS

This year NCCS launched Survivorship Champions, a program for clinicians and researchers who are interested in improving survivorship care and primary care’s role in caring for cancer survivors. In partnership with Dr. Ana Maria Lopez, we developed a Grand Rounds curriculum, which we have shared with fellowship programs and conferences. In the Grand Rounds, we describe the impact of the survivorship movement on cancer care, discuss evidence-based survivorship cancer care priorities, and outline gaps in survivorship care. 

Watch the recording of the Unique Challenges of Long-Terms Cancer Survivors Breakout Session from Day 3 of the 2021 Virtual CPAT Symposium: 

UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF LONG-TERM CANCER SURVIVORS

Long-term cancer survivors face unique challenges, including late effects of their treatment. Different treatments cause different late effects, which range from heart disease, lung issues, secondary cancers, and many more. Join a panel of long-term survivors, who will discuss the challenges and what we as advocates need to do to support long-term survivors.