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Vol. 11, No. 4 · August 2007 · Editor: Martha L. Golar, Esq.
· MAY PROGRAM -- COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE · NASSAU COUNTY WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION GOLF OUTING · NYSDOH ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2006 INNOVATION IN BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AWARDS · CANCERCARE TELEPHONE EDUCATION WORKSHOP · CALENDAR / CONTACTS JALBCA CELEBRATES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR JALBCA celebrated another year of successful activities, and installed its newly elected officers and directors, at its annual dinner held at Water’s Edge in Long Island City on June 13, 2007. The view of the Manhattan skyline was picture perfect and the dinner was sold out, thanks to the substantial efforts of Dinner Co-Chairs Cynthia Rubin and Sandra Katz. Outgoing Co-President, Hon. Barbara Panepinto, was honored, after which Hon. Jacqueline Silbermann swore in the newly elected officers and members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board, including Incoming Co-President Hon. Eileen Bransten. Justice Bransten sits on the New York State Supreme Court and presides in the medical malpractice part. Both Justice Bransten and Judith Livingston will serve as JALBCA’s Co-Presidents in the coming year. Hon. Shirley Werner Kornreich then presented the Leadership Achievement Awards to Mikki Golar and Barbara Ryan, both former Co-Presidents of JALBCA and Co-Chairs of the Annual Symposium. Finally, Hon. William C. Thompson presented the Special Recognition Award to NYU Clinical Cancer Center. The award was accepted by Steve Burakoff, MD on behalf of James Speyer, MD, Medical Director of the NYU Clinical Cancer Center.
MAY PROGRAM -- COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE At its May 7th program, JALBCA presented the program "Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What It Is and How It May Help Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors," featuring Gary Deng, MD, PhD. Dr. Deng focused his presentation on the new field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the major changes that have taken place in this unconventional practice over the last 10 years. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (“NCCAM”) defines Complementary and Alternative Medicine (“CAM”) as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. According to Dr. Deng, the appeal of CAM may have initially begun with media reports of patients experiencing dramatic results from a holistic approach to modern medicine. However, it is Dr. Deng’s assertion that certain cultural backgrounds and belief systems have been using CAM, or similar forms of the healing arts, for centuries. By promoting a sense of spiritual and emotional well-being combined with modern medicine, it is the belief of CAM practitioners that these diverse therapies are particularly relevant to the overall medical care of cancer patients. While many CAM therapies are widely used and respected in the mainstream medical community, Dr. Deng warned against falling victim to unsafe practices or potential quackery. Since some products and practices, if not used properly, can cause harmful effects, Dr. Deng suggested that patients consult with licensed medical professionals and accredited sources before substituting any CAM therapy in lieu of mainstream treatment options, and offered the NCCAM website at http://nccam.nih.gov as an excellent starting point. Many patients may not be aware, when exploring alternatives to mainstream medical treatment, that complementary medicine and alternative medicine are not synonymous. According to Dr. Deng, complementary medicine is used in conjunction with conventional medicine, whereas alternative medicine is used in lieu of conventional medicine. Dr. Deng’s advice was to beware of alternative therapies offering one product for everyone, where no distinction is made between particular diseases or patients, and also to avoid therapies promoted by means of personal testimony over scientific data. Where CAM therapies and practices have been combined with conventional medicine, Dr. Deng asserted that there is some high-quality, scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. Dr. Deng wrapped up his presentation by discussing his work as the Clinical Director of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. With its focus on integrating complementary and alternative medicine practices into mainstream medical care, Dr. Deng and his staff provide clinical services to patients while conducting cutting edge research initiatives. Dr. Deng also provided a brief overview of the Integrative Medicine Services' extensive list of therapies, which include Manual/Touch Therapy, Mind/Body Therapy, Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, Acupuncture, and Nutritional/ Diet Counseling. Manual/Touch Therapy, according to Dr. Deng, is a means by which to reduce a patient’s tension and pain through various practices such as massage, reflexology, and shiatsu. Mind/Body Therapy is a method of developing a patient’s inner core through meditation, guided imagery and bio-feedback. Movement Therapy, according to Dr. Deng, has survival benefits for breast cancer survivors in that it keeps patients from lapsing into sedentary lifestyles as they recover from treatment or surgery. For further information on Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine service, Dr. Deng suggested that patient’s visit their website at www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/1979.cfm, which has a comprehensive list of available services. NASSAU COUNTY WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION GOLF OUTING The Nassau County Women’s Bar Association hosted a golf outing during the Winter, 2007. As a result of the enormous success of the outing, that bar association offered to make a generous contribution to JALBCA. Co-President Judith Livingston attended and was presented with a check for $7,500 at the outing.
NYSDOH ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2006 INNOVATION IN BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AWARDS On May 15, 2007, the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Health, Richard F. Daines, MD, announced the winners of the 2006 Innovation in Breast Cancer Research and Education Awards. The annual awards are presented to individuals, health professionals and non-profit organizations in recognition of their outstanding commitment to breast cancer research and/or education that has had a significant impact on the lives of NYS residents. This year, the award recipients were the following: the Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factor Program of Cornell University; Charles B. Wang Community Health Center of New York City, located in Chinatown; Mr. Bob Riter of the Ithaca Breast Alliance, Ithaca, a breast cancer survivor; Marathon for a Better Life -- SUNY Cobleskill; and South Fork Breast Health Coalition of Water Mill. CANCERCARE TELEPHONE EDUCATION WORKSHOP CANCERCARE has scheduled a telephone education workshop on “Caring for Your Heart During Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer.” The workshop will take place on August 24, 2007 between 1:30 and 2:30 pm EST. The presenters include Ruth Oratz, MD (The Women’s Oncology and Wellness Practice, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, NYU School of Medicine); Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD (Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Medical Oncology/Solid Tumor Oncology); Douglas B. Sawyer, MD, PhD (Associate Professor of Medicine, Director, Cardiology Fellowship Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center); and Patricia Spicer, MSW (Breast Cancer Program Coordinator, CancerCare). The program is being presented in partnership with approximately 15 other cancer organizations. CALENDAR / CONTACTS ADELPHI NY STATEWIDE BREAST CANCER Hotline & Support Program Adelphi University School of Social Work Garden City, NY 11530 www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer/index.html CancerCare 275 Seventh Avenue NY NY 10001 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) www.cancercare.org Some community education programs in August 2007:
MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Post-Treatment Resource Program Educational Forums 1275 York Avenue - Room M107 New York, NY 10021 212-717-3527 www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/59513.cfm Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center 1429 First Avenue (at 74th Street New York, NY
SHARE (Self-Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer) 1501 Broadway, 704A New York, NY 11530 www.sharecancersupport.org 212-719-0364 JALBCA does not endorse the content or efficacy of any workshops or programs listed in the Calendar of Events; listings are for informational purposes only, so that our readership is aware of current offerings. |
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