Dr. Leia-Stephen informed us about breast cancer, Janice MacDonald taught us how to lower our risk of getting this disease; Cassandra Tremblay, Jeanette Hill and Catherine Henry made the learning fun while Val Theroux gave us comfort and support.

Seventy-five people, including a few men, attended the Breast Cancer Symposium held at the Cache Creek Community Hall on Oct. 24. For three hours, with one break, you could hear a pin drop... or the dog outside who was not at all happy about being outside!

Dr. Leia-Stephen is one of the most respected breast cancer surgeons in British Columbia and we are so fortunate to have her working in Kamloops. She shared an informative Powerpoint presentation covering all aspects of breast cancer. She explained what to expect if one has breast cancer, from diagnostic testing, through surgical procedures and options, to follow up treatments.

We learned that one in nine women will develop breast cancer if she lives to be 90. One per cent of men get breast cancer, which usually goes into the muscles below the breast area. However, although 22,700 will develop breast cancer in Canada this year, the mortality rate has declined since 1980. There is an 87 per cent chance of survival for five years or more if the diagnosis is made early. Dr. Leia-Stephen ended her presentation by telling us all to go home and do something where we take control of our own bodies.

Janice MacDonald, Patient Care Coordinator for the BC Cancer Agency at Royal Inland Hospital, opened by reassuring us that 50 per cent of all cancers can be prevented through healthy living and policies that protect the lives of Canadians.

She stressed the importance of knowledge (it constantly changes and it is important to stay up to date), having regular screening for breast, uterine and rectal cancers and choosing a treatment option that best works for you. She also told us that living with cancer is not a death sentence. Even with palliative care, our life can still have meaning. Our attitude makes such a difference.

She stressed the importance of eating a healthy diet and exercising at least three times a week for 30 minutes a day. She added that it is so important to know our body, be aware of changes that need to be reported and learn about the genetic history of our families. Janice urged us to de-stress our lives as there can be serious consequences if we are under stress for a lengthy period of time. She concluded by reminding us to discover what really speaks to us so we can make changes in our lives. We need to have a positive attitude, learn to relax, laugh and share our love.

The four student nurses, named above, who are in their final year of training, put on an informative skit dispelling many myths about cancer. They also summarized the contents of the workshop with a lively game of Jeopardy.

The final speaker, Val Theroux, leads a holistic treatment support group in Kamloops. She made her presentation with a series of wonderful photos she had taken. Each one represented something important to her patients. Her photos and her discussion help patients learn to look at things in a different way. One particularly moving series of photos was taken of swans. They showed us that a circle of support is so important. Photos of trails and streams made us realize that there are many paths we can take and that we need to “go with the flow.” Her focus with her patients is helping them find a way back to wellness.

The Ashcroft and District Health Care Auxiliary who are funding a series of workshops helping us look after our own health concerns, sponsored this event. Fran Helland, herself a 14-year survivor of cancer, and her committee did a wonderful job organizing and putting on this symposium. A previous workshop, in which the Auxiliary participated, was on Alzheimer’s Disease. Watch for announcements in the spring of 2010 for the next workshop. If you have any suggestions for one, please pass the word along to an auxiliary member.

Marilyn Bueckert