By: Leah Bressler -
Drs. Didwania, Reichek and Victorson and RNs Karen Kinahan and Karin Danner-Koptik brought unique perspectives to this afternoon’s panel discussion on psychosocial issues among cancer survivors. They engaged us in a stimulating conversation about the numerous and varied psychosocial and quality of life issues cancer survivors experience. Themes included allowing patient concerns to guide discussion and repeating or readdressing quality-of-life discussions, as patients can forget these conversations in the midst of highly-detailed prognostic or therapeutic discussions. In a perfectly timed introduction to this afternoon’s sessions on the topic, moderators reviewed the importance of addressing the “elephant in the room” of sexual health, sexuality and function.