new postings on sister site regarding Survivors' Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer

Note: new postings and presentations on sister blog site (Ovariancancerandus)

Giving VOICE to ovarian cancer survivors (previously unpublished)

Sandi's notes and background on this article: 

A few years ago, I was asked to write a paper on ovarian cancer specific to the Survivors' Debate. Carolyn and Tracy were enlisted to co-author the article - a team approach for those who know best. This was the final version which went unpublished. 
It went unpublished mainly because editorial requests virtually 'sanitized' the article to the point where our message became close to irrelevant. At that point, I declined our involvement. 
On behalf of my - our friends, Carolyn and Tracy, and with the beneficial advances brought on through social media, here is the final and unedited version. 

Giving VOICE to ovarian cancer survivors ©

Survivors debate the issues

Authors:  Carolyn Benivegna*, Tracy Gorden*,  Sandi Pniauskas 

(*with us in spirit)

During her research for a presentation concerning cancer patients’ voices in healthcare, Sandi Pniauskas took special notice of a paper published by an expert panel that included the following statement: "Patients or their representatives should not attend the Multidisciplinary Cancer Conference to ensure unbiased case review"  (Report dated June 2006, www.cancercare.on.ca/pdf/pebcmccf.pdf). 

While it would be imprudent to take this singular and remarkable quote as the “rule du jour,” this philosophy, and others similar to it, are prevalent in both private perception and in published literature on cancer survival.

We can be thankful for more enlightened views, such as this example from the Journal of Health and Social Policy that, instead, celebrates the voices and contributions of (non-medical) health educators and activists:  

"The activists' efforts wrested control of “authoritative knowledge” that had once

been the sole domain of the “experts” with advanced medical training. They used this knowledge to empower “average” people with medical information…to

promote self help and engage in civil disobedience, which led to changes in

healthcare delivery (2006;21(3):55-69)."

As ovarian cancer survivors we have learned much over the years.  Average, everyday citizens are taking active roles in their treatments and educating themselves about this deadly disease.  Yet in our view, and through the course of shedding light on this disease and the experiences of those living with it, it has become obvious that there is no such thing as an “average” survivor.

Ovarian cancer is not a new disease; in fact, it has been traced back as far as Egyptian times.  Advancements in research, education, awareness and access to care have gained some momentum, but they have also hit many roadblocks.  As ovarian cancer survivors  with international grassroots connections to, and support from, other survivors  we regularly discuss where this disease has been, and where it is going.  We now feel it is time to move these behind-the-scenes discussions to open forums. 

By being informed and proactive women with ovarian cancer, we have recognized the value and importance of conducting our own critical analysis.  Most importantly, we have learned to shift the focus onto the human elements and burdens of suffering that we experience each day in our communities.  

Creating a public forum for ovarian cancer survivors

As those living with this disease, we dream of what the future holds in terms of early detection, education, research, treatment and a cure. This dream has evolved in the form of organizing two ovarian cancer conferences for October 2007 -- one to be held in Novi, Michigan (US) and another in Toronto, Ontario (Canada) --  both entitled, “Survivors’ Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer.” 

These public meetings are the result of a collaborative effort by proactive and knowledgeable ovarian cancer survivors with supporting oncology nurses. They will take place with the understanding that they will be fully inclusive – everyone is welcome -- but that the focus will remain on the experiences, needs and concerns of cancer patients and survivors, their families and friends.

The conferences will take place in two locations in two countries because our issues are the same: access to care, awareness, early detection, survival rates and genetics. The directive and focus of both conferences is to offer a place to exchange ideas honestly and openly without judgment or bias.

Patients need an environment where they feel encouraged to discuss the many difficulties they face.  Sometimes it is very difficult to find that space -- a place without fear of retribution, criticism or dismissive attitudes. Patient-to-patient discussion and counseling offers this environment. It allows for in-depth dialogue on a variety of topics that detail what strategies work for survivors and their families and what is not effective. Healthcare settings just do not currently lend themselves to foster the dialogue that is needed for survivors that this new forum provides.

However, the conferences will also focus on creating a public force to expedite change, which can only start with communication.  Born from need – an arena for discussion for ovarian cancer survivors by survivors -- the “Survivors’ Debate” has taken form. 

But while the conferences are about patients speaking for themselves they are not speaking by themselves. With this new forum for dialogue, debate and discussion, we can highlight the detailed knowledge and expertise of our international ovarian cancer community with almost a decade of experience behind us, and explain why, as a community, we work. But we will also be able to explore the variety of reasons why what is needed by survivors and their friends and families is not currently being translated into caregiving.

Our ovarian cancer survivor connections and bonds have formed through the years by enduring extreme challenges and personal losses. The only bias we have as survivors is the bias to endure and to survive to the best of our abilities, not only as individuals but, importantly, as a community. To be very blunt, previously this has included much silent suffering.

It is long past due that we take our real issues into a public forum and encourage everyone to participate. We plan to make some long overdue noise at these debates about ovarian cancer, and we envision that these two scheduled events are only the beginning of a completely new trend in ovarian cancer activism.

For more information on the Survivors’ Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer, visit: http://ovariancancerdebate.blogspot.com

 

Side-bar:

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a serious and under-recognized threat to women's health which kills more women than all of the gynaecologic cancers combined.  The lifetime risk of contracting ovarian cancer is one in seventy.  Ovarian cancer is very treatable when caught early, but the vast majority of cases are not diagnosed until too late, which means that while it is not as common as some other cancers, it remains a woman’s cancer with a poor survival rate.

Unfortunately, an early detection test still remains elusive and contrary to public perception, the PAP test is not a screening test for ovarian cancer. Efforts to diagnose ovarian cancer is through a combination of: tumor marker test (called the CA125), a bimanual pelvic/rectal exam and transvaginal ultrasound. Actual confirmation of the diagnosis of ovarian cancer is confirmed with surgery and pathology reports (eg. Laboratory tests on tissues specimens). When ovarian cancer is caught before it has spread beyond the ovaries 80-90% of women will survive five years. When diagnosed after the disease has spread, the chance of five-year survival drops to approximately 20-30% or less.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of ovarian cancer are nonspecific and mimic those of many other more common conditions.  However, as a result of the original work in 1999 of CindyMelancon , RN (who died of ovarian cancer in 2003) and Dr Barbara Goff, it has now been established that both early and advanced stage ovarian cancer do have  recognizable symptoms. 

A consensus expert panel convened earlier this year concluded that the following four symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population:

* Bloating;

* Pelvic or abdominal pain;

* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly;

* Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency).

Several other symptoms have been commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer, as well; these symptoms include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities.  A woman should consult with a health care professional if any of these symptoms persist or feel abnormal.

What you can do

* Understand your family history (e.g., ovarian, breast, colorectal cancer,endometrial cancers);

*  Educate yourself and understand ovarian cancer as it relates to your specific diagnosis;

*  Communicate your concerns with your healthcare professional;

*  Recognize and support other ovarian cancer women/families in your community;

*  Join an online support or face-to-face support group;

*  Join a cancer organization or a program in your community and/or hospital. 

Ovarian cancer is not a silent disease – speak up and speak out

Have a look:

ACOR – Ovarian Cancer Mailing List (ASSOCIATION OF CANCER ONLINE RESOURCES
http://www/acor.org

NCI (NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE - U.S.)
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/ovarian

MEDLINE PLUS
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ovariancancer.html

CLINICAL TRIALS DATABASE:  http://clinicaltrials.gov/

Tweet Cloud (for fun)

Special Ovarian Cancer Women at OneTrueMedia.com

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

video: Special Ovarian Cancer Women's Montage - friends,family &pets

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Survivors' Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer on Yahoo! Video

Survivors' Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer on Yahoo! Video

Google Video: Survivors' Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer

Excerpts from 2007 Debate conference via edited google video

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9028885979921555185

2008 Survivors' Debate CANO presentation

click on title above or cut and paste the link below for the Pdf file:

2008 CANO presentation Survivors' Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer

http://groups.google.com/group/survivors-debate/files?&sort=rdate

Carolyn Benivegna - passed away from ovarian cancer September 25th, 2008

Information for Services:

Saturday, October 4, 2008
11:00 AM
Eulogy & Mass
Holy Family Church
24505 Meadowbrook Road
(Between 10 Mile and Grand River)
Novi, MI 48375
(248) 349-8847

Saturday, October 4, 2008
1:00 PM/Immediately following Eulogy & Mass
Wake
Fox Run
Fireside Restaurant, Ascot Clubhouse
Follow the "Memorial Service Parking" signs. Park and take provided Fox Run
Shuttle.
41100 Fox Run Road
Novi, MI 48377
(248) 668-8600

Tax-deductible contribution in lieu of flowers:

Please make checks payable to
University of Michigan and note on the check

"Carolyn & Paul Benivegna Ovarian Cancer
Research Fund"

Mail contributions to Office of Development, UM
Comprehensive Cancer Center, 301 East Liberty, Suite 130, Ann Arbor MI
48105-2251.

September 15th, 2008: CANO conference presentation - Survivors' Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer

Novel Prescriptives : presentation/abstract -

Survivors Debate: The Past Decade in Ovarian Cancer

Pamela J. West, RN(EC), NP-Adult, MSc, CON(C),
CHPCN(C)1, Sandi Pniauskas2, Carolyn Benivegna3 (*3 editors note: passed away from ovarian cancer Sept 2008).
1Rouge Valley Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada, 2No Institution
- patient, Whitby, ON, Canada, 3No Institution - patient,
Novi,, MI, USA.

Two fascinating and novel cancer survivor-led conferences
point the way to the future. As healthcare providers,
we may have missed an exceptional opportunity.
We need to get ‘on board’ and truly ‘walk-the-walk’
rather than merely espousing a concept of innovation

In the U.S. and Canada during 2007, four ovarian cancer survivors
coordinated and self-funded the first ever cancer debates.
Oncology nursing professionals were asked to participate
in supportive roles and to document the debate
proceedings. The debates were planned, co-ordinated and
delivered by ovarian cancer survivors who took them on the
road, presenting both in Michigan and Ontario.

Research data from the past decade were presented from a pro and
con perspective and included awareness and communication; early detection;
survival; access to care and genetics.

Marketing the programs garnered significant controversy,
but successful results were proof positive that the vision of
these cancer patient survivors was brought to fruition.

In preparation for the debates, the survivors conducted a survey,
in part to high-light the value patients place on relationships
with their physicians.

If, as healthcare providers we
feared criticism or exclusion, there was little cause for concern.

This presentation features the results of the e-survey (n = 303),
the essence of the debates (including video footage) and evaluations
of the process. Health care professionals were impressed
by the patients’ knowledge, expertise and wonderful ability to
‘relay the message.’ Survivors were anxious to learn more about
the role of advocacy and information sharing.

Survivors' Debate: Ovarian Cancer

Definition: Debate - discuss the pros and the cons of an issue

~~~~~~~~~~~

To HOST a Survivors' Debate Program whether a survivor, family member, caregiver or healthcare professional contact:

Sandi Pniauskas
sandipn@sympatico.ca

__________________________________________________________________

November 23rd, 2007:

Survivors' Debate: Ovarian Cancer - Mission Statement, Roles and Responsibilities document now online (see sidebar)
__________________________________________________________________

NEWS FLASH

Participants' Survey Responses (general): the highest rated sections of the program were the Pro/Con style debate format and the Question and Answer period.

NOVI PARTICIPANT COMMENTS:

- The whole thing was KICK ASS! (observation from healthcare professional)
- Very good program – do it again
- I really enjoyed this debate….have never been to anything like it!

TORONTO PARTICIPANT COMMENTS:

- EXCELLENT presentation!
- Way to go, girls!!
- All panel members were very well prepared, intelligent and very articulate (member of the general public)

CYBERSPACE COMMENT:

- .... the first patient-led, patient-organized Survivors’ Debates signal that the time has come for more dialog with increased participation by the very people whose stake and investment in treating cancer are greatest.

Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei: "How times have changed. Cancer has come from being taboo to being a subject of debate. Even better, ever more cancer survivors are now leading the charge for better healthcare.

Eye on DNA Exclusive Interview: http://tinyurl.com/23bs3z



Mission and Purpose:

The mandate of the Survivors’ Debate program(s) is to educate, to discuss and to escalate the patient/caregiver ovarian cancer voice at both the public and decision-making levels. To preserve autonomy, it is survivor-led/organized and encourages full public and healthcare professional participation. Open and spirited discussion is encouraged.


Why a Debate?

The purpose of the debate format is to understand the many views and sides of any particular issue - the pros and the cons of where we have been and where we are going. Our perspective is not one of a 'win-lose' situation, but to encourage understanding of existing issues and escalate informed and meaningful change. Debates are common within business, medical, research and scientific communities. It is time to bring these debates to the public with the Survivors' Debates forum(s) being the mechanisms to do so.

Novi, MI and Toronto, Canada: Focus

Debating the issues:

Awareness and Communication
Early Detection
Survival Rates
Access to Care
Genetics

Locations/Dates:Novi, Michigan
October 27th, 2007
Toronto, Canada
November 3rd, 2007


Further information on future conference locations/registration can be located on the sidebar of this page or email: sandipn@sympatico.ca.

September 30th, 2007:


Dear Patients and Healthcare Professionals:

Dr Yi Pan, (Neurologist) MD, PhD along with Annamarie DeCarlo, Managing Editor, Anne Arundel Medical Center will be moderating the Survivors' Debates in Detroit (Oct.27) and Toronto (Nov.3). The two principals of the debate are 8 & 9-year survivors Sandi Pniauskas and Carolyn Benivegna. We have 31 years of survivorship among us. Yi and Carolyn currently are in treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer. We are pleased with the support received from oncology nursing professionals, Bridget Capo and Pamela J. West.

These debates are by and for survivors, with an open-arms invitation to citizens, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health care workers and of course, caregivers. There has been no corporate sponsorship.

We would like all citizens and healthcare professionals to know about these survivor-led forums; to let them know we are doing these forums. We wish to share the often-lost patient perspective, but also to bring a public voice to our concerns and issues which often times delay or complicate forward progression for the benefit of all.

We ask, simply, that you share the news, share the knowledge, and talk about this with your colleagues and communities. Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage open and lively discussion.

Background information can be found through a recent interview published in 'Eye on DNA' conducted by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei.

Thank you.
Sandi Pniauskas
sandipn@sympatico.ca

Please visit link for Registration/Information: http://ovariancancerdebate.blogspot.com/


Recent Interview and Background Information:

Eye on DNA Exclusive Interview with Cancer Survivors Sandi Pniauskas and Carolyn Benivegna
by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei

http://tinyurl.com/23bs3z