Cancers of all types present health challenges specific to women, and Tucson Cancer Conquerors (TCC) are attacking the disease on the holistic front in the attempt to empower cancer survivors.
The local nonprofit is staging a Women’s Wellness Free Survivor Seminar to address issues confronting the full spectrum of cancer survivors, from pre-vivors — people living with an elevated predisposition to cancer — through those living with stage four disease.
The educational and community-building event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive.
“People may see the title, ‘Survivor Seminar‘ and not know if it is appropriate for them to attend if they are ten years out. I want people to know that the definition of a ‘survivor‘ is from the day of diagnosis throughout the entire life span. Cancer can present ongoing challenges that forever change you,” said Dr. Liz Almli, president of TCC (https://tucsoncancerconquerors.org)
People are also reading…
Almli emphasized that the seminar is specifically directed toward all women survivors and will cover a broad range of issues and insights pertaining to the personal health of survivors and pre-vivors, many of whom have undergone treatments and/or procedures such as mastectomies or removal of ovaries that often have long-term physical and emotional impact.
“This is definitely focused on issues facing women survivors. We want women to feel comfortable raising their hands and asking intimate questions at this event,” said Elizabeth Almli, M.D., president of TCC (https://tucsoncancerconquerors.org).
Discussions seek to empower women, with topics in breakout sessions including “Your Pelvic Floor: What Your Mother Never Taught You” by Samantha Johnson; “Menopause: Thriving During the Change” by Dr. Rachel Swart; and “Sexual Health: Nurturing Communication and Energizing Intimacy” by Dr. Georgia Anderson.
“Dr. Swart is an oncologist and cancer survivor speaking on menopause, which is often thought of as an older woman’s issue, but cancer treatments for women in their 20s or 30s who are diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancers can often throw them into early menopause. This not only affects them physically with things like sleep disturbance, mood changes, and osteoporosis, but can also impact them emotionally, affecting their energy levels and desire for intimacy,” Almli said.
The sessions will also offer education about proactive exercises, strategies, and other wellness options that can positively impact the quality of life for survivors.
“Samantha Johnson is a pelvic floor physical therapist with expertise on how estrogen, surgery, and aging impact the pelvic floor. Many women have never been taught about their anatomy and don’t realize that estrogen impacts the pelvic floor, affecting things like stress incontinence and discomfort with intimacy. We don‘t have to accept this as a new normal.
Many of these topics are considered taboo, so it should be an entertaining lecture,” Almli said.
Almli thinks women will be equally inspired and informed by Dr. Georgia Anderson’s lecture on “Sexual Health: Nurturing Communication and Energizing Intimacy.”
Attendees will also enjoy opportunities to network and learn more about TCC itself, a free healthy survivorship program that is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The program highlights exercise, nutrition, education and peer support and is now 200 members strong.
In addition to fitness classes, TCC tailors offerings to a range of interests, including organic gardening, walking and hiking, books and “Mindful Meandering.” A new group also serves Moms Of Young Kids. Other support opportunities include networking breakfasts, monthly birthday celebrations and monthly luncheons.
The programs offer essential support and encouragement for women who share the common bond of cancer — which is often very isolating — and the understanding of how it impacts every aspect of life, according to Almli.
“Every year treatments are advancing by leaps and bounds, and we have more and more people living as survivors, including women with stage four cancer whose treatments are keeping their disease under control. Our goal is healthy survivorship and keeping people as healthy as they can be, for as long as they can,” she said.
