UAMS Hosts Retreat For Cancer Survivors

Survivors of ovarian and other gynecological cancers will be celebrated Sept. 29 during a day-long retreat sponsored by the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Scheduled for 7:45 a.m.-2 p.m. at the ACRC on the UAMS campus, “Shout About the Disease that Whispers,” will promote complementary and conventional approaches in the care of women with gynecological cancers.

The retreat is hosted by the Just Among Women support group and is open to women with ovarian and other gynecological cancers and their support persons. Cost to attend is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Advance registration is encouraged by Sept. 14 by calling the ACRC Clinical Oncology Social Work Department at (501) 686-8145.

The keynote address on “The Role of Surgery in Ovarian Cancer” is set for 8:45 a.m. with Alexander F. Burnett, M.D., division director of gynecologic oncology and associate professor in the UAMS Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The lunch presentation on “Diet and Ovarian Cancer” will be presented at 12:45 p.m. by Reza Hakkak, Ph.D., professor and chairman of the UAMS Department of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend two of four breakout sessions which will include Qi Gong classes, a question and answer session with an advanced practice genecology oncology nurse, a presentation on clinical trials, and a discussion of nutrition during and after cancer treatment. Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese healing art that combines mental focus, breathing techniques and physical postures.

It is estimated that about 20,100 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year.