The population of cancer survivors is growing, as early detection and improved treatment increase the odds of survival. That means an ever-growing population needs long-term survivorship support, said Dana Chase, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health.
To help meet that need, the third annual Women’s Cancer Survivors Conference was presented April 18 at the UCLA University Club. Sponsored by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, the event offered survivors a chance to be in community together and learn from UCLA Health experts.
Gynecologic oncologist Beth Karlan, MD, and Dr. Chase hosted the half-day event, which featured a keynote address from Shannon La Cava, PsyD, senior director of the Simms/Mann Center. Dr. La Cava invited guests to define survivorship for themselves by adopting health-enhancing lifestyle changes, such as movement and good nutrition, and embracing life’s meaningful moments.
Workshops addressing some of those lifestyle practices included sessions on exercise for bone health, anti-inflammatory nutrition and the calming power of music. Other sessions focused on mood and menopause.
The conference concluded with Dr. Chase, Dr. Karlan, Dr. La Cava and physician associates Jessica Walchonski, PA-C, and Rachel Frankenthal, PA-C, taking questions from conference-goers on a range of topics, from weight management to GLP-1 medications and more.
“The fact that you even offered this conference,” one guest said, “has lowered my stress levels immensely.”
