National cancer groups host free forum on palliative care

By Andrea Butler and Julie Kimbrough

RICHMOND, Va. (Sept. 13, 2004) — Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and the Lance Armstrong Foundation will host a free public forum Sept. 28 at VCU for people interested in cancer care.

“Hard Diagnosis, Soft Landings: new approaches to treating life-limiting illnesses through palliative care,” will bring together in a town hall setting top medical professionals, patients dealing with cancer treatment and other cancer specialists. 

“Anyone who lives with a debilitating illness or knows someone who will require end-of-life medical care will benefit from this important community conversation,” said Dr. Tom Smith, professor of medicine and chair of hematology/oncology and palliative care at VCU. Smith is a lead speaker at the forum. VCU’s Massey Cancer Center is one of six nationally designated training centers on palliative care.

Palliative care refers to cancer care directed toward alleviating pain and symptoms and addressing the psychological and spiritual concerns of patients and their families. The two-hour forum will provide patients and families an opportunity to meet with top palliative care and cancer treatment professionals.

The forum, made possible through a grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, includes a reception, followed by a 30-minute presentation and a one-hour question and answer session on Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the VCU Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave.

Nearly 10 million Americans are affected by cancer.  In Virginia, more than 31,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year and another 13,000 will die from the disease.

“When you’re dealing with a life-limiting illness such as cancer, you need to fully understand what help is available and what options you and your loved ones have,” said Ellen Stovall, president and CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.  “Palliative care is an emerging medical specialty.

“Our goal is to educate the public and to encourage early integration of palliative care into a patient’s treatment plan,” said Stovall, herself a cancer survivor. NCCS is the oldest survivor-led group advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans.

People often equate palliative care with hospice care, both of which emphasize symptom management and easing mental stress. However, hospice care begins in the last six months of life, while palliative care can begin much earlier in the course of an illness. Palliative care, which seeks to improve overall quality of life, can be maintained throughout a patient’s illness and may be pursued concurrently with cancer treatment.

“People living with cancer face a number of practical, physical and emotional decisions, including decisions about treatments that enhance comfort and quality of life,” said Andy Miller, associate director of public health at the Lance Armstrong Foundation. “It’s critical that all people not only have access to curative treatments, but also access to care that eases preventable pain and suffering.”

The Lance Armstrong Foundation was founded by cancer survivor and six-time Tour de France champion cyclist Lance Armstrong.