Young Adult Cancer Canada - Community - Young Adult Cancer News

Exploring the Psychosocial Experience of Sexuality in Young Adult Cancer Survivors…

2009-11-03T12:59:51Z

One of YACC supporter and collaborator, Emily Murray is working on her thesis at Dalhousie University in Halifax and needs our help for recruitment. Look at the inclusion criteria and see if you can help Emily. We always say there is not enough research on and for young adults…here is a chance to help change that!

Criteria
Are you a Canadian between the ages of 18 and 30?
Did you have cancer and undergo treatment between the ages of 13 and 30?
Are you currently finished your treatment plan (e.g. chemo, radiation, surgery, or a combination of the three)?
Then we would like to hear from you!!

We are conducting a research study on how a history of cancer in adolescence or young adulthood affects how you experience your sexuality.

What we need from you: About an hour of your time for a telephone interview on your experience with your sexuality after you completed your cancer treatment.

We are looking for a widely varying group of participants, having different levels and kinds of sexual experiences, including those who are just at the point of thinking about having them. Any information you give us will be kept confidential and your privacy will be protected. We may not invite everyone who responds to an interview. If you are chosen for an interview you will receive 20 dollars to pay you for your time.

Please contact , a graduate student at Dalhousie University and the Primary Investigator for this study if you are interested or would like more information.

Blowing cancer out of the water

2009-10-14T12:52:13Z

Paddling adventure proves to be similar to cancer experience
by Matthew Hoekstra
Staff Reporter

Launching a kayak into the unsettling waters of Oregon’s Owyhee River isn’t on everyone’s life list. But for Jen Luce, the trip was more than an adventure, it was proof she could kick cancer in the butt.

The 32-year-old Richmond resident recently returned from a trip where she spent eight days paddling and camping with seven other young adult cancer survivors. The adventure was captured on film and will become subject of a documentary showing the strength and will of cancer survivors
To read the full article Paddling_adventure.pdf

Research Opportunity: Cancer in YA’s & Sexuality!

2009-10-13T17:22:58Z

Are you a Canadian between the ages of 18 and 30?
Did you have cancer and undergo treatment between the ages of 13 and 30?
Are you currently finished your treatment plan (e.g. chemo, radiation, surgery, or a combination of the three)?
Then Dalhousie University would like to hear from you!!

Dalhousie University is conducting a research study on how a history of cancer in adolescence or young adulthood affects how you experience your sexuality.

What they need from you: About an hour of your time for a telephone interview on your experience with your sexuality after you completed your cancer treatment.

They are looking for a widely varying group of participants, having different levels and kinds of sexual experiences, including those who are just at the point of thinking about having them. Any information you give them will be kept confidential and your privacy will be protected. They may not invite everyone who responds to an interview. If you are chosen for an interview you will receive 20 dollars to pay you for your time.

Please contact Emily Murray, a graduate student at Dalhousie University and the Primary Investigator for this study if you are interested or would like more information:
E-mail: ekmurray@dal.ca

Returning to school or work after treatment: Research

2009-10-01T14:29:27Z

Would you like to contribute to a research about the experience of returning to school or to work after treatment? Elizabeth Sharpe, a Master’s student in Health Promotion at Dalhousie University is conducting research on this topic.
For more information on this study, have a look at Research_Young_Adults.pdf or contact Elizabeth at

Meditation: Take a stress-reduction break wherever you are

2009-09-10T13:20:13Z

If stress has you anxious, tense and worried, consider trying meditation. Spending even just a few minutes in meditation can restore calm and inner peace.

Meditation can wipe away the day’s stress, bringing with it inner peace. See how you can easily learn to practice meditation whenever you need it most.

Independent group looking for childhood cancer survivors for research study.

2009-09-10T13:18:52Z

Health Related Quality of Life in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

A graduate student at the University of Western Ontario is looking for survivors of childhood cancer who:
• Are between the ages of 11 and 30
• Were diagnosed with cancer at the age of 12 or under
• Were diagnosed with cancer at least 5 years ago
• Are no longer receiving treatment

Participants will be asked to complete a one hour interview pertaining to health related quality of life, and may be asked to complete a follow up interview. Interviews will be conducted by researchers in London, Ontario, and will take place in person or over the phone, at no cost to participants. All information will be kept confidential.

If you are interested in this study please contact:

Miranda Tsonis, BHSc
MSC Candidate
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The University of Western Ontario

Please leave a message

Documentary about Young Women with Breast Cancer

2009-08-28T12:05:42Z

Canadian Breast Cancer Network and Big Coat Productions is producing a compelling documentary about young women diagnosed with Breast Cancer under the age of 40 in hopes of increasing awareness and sharing stories that other young women with breast cancer can relate to. CBCN are currently looking for a woman who has gone through treatment and has been able to get pregnant since diagnosis. They are following women at all stages of this illness and if they can inject hope in some of the stories they tell, that would be of help so many women. If you are currently pregnant, and are willing to participate in this very special documentary, please contact Shahzaana Satar at or 416.507.9829 ext. 231.

New YA cancer support group series in Calgary!

2009-08-12T17:03:02Z

This is the type of news I love to share! More programs for young adults dealing with cancer!

I received an email today from Anne Walker, the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Calgary office of the Canadian Cancer Society. This organization is bringing a support group to Calgary this fall especially for young adults dealing with cancer!

Here are the details:
- It is a FREE, eight-week support group series which is tailored to meet the needs of young adults living with cancer.
- The group is ideally suited for young adults, up to their mid-thirties.
- The groups are now forming for weekly evening sessions in October and November, 2009.
- The group consists of a series of eight, two-hour sessions which are co-facilitated by an experienced psychosocial professional and a young adult cancer survivor.
- Groups are small in size to facilitate peer support and open communication among group members.
- The session discussion topics are as follows:
o The emotional impact of cancer
o Taking charge of your care
o Talking about cancer
o Health issues
o Sexuality and relationships
o Coping strategies
o Long-term issues and rebuilding
o Self-advocacy and empowerment.

Location: Canadian Cancer Society; 200, 325 Manning Road NE; Calgary AB
Information and Registration: 403-205-3966 or email info@cancer.ab.ca

This is a great opportunity for any young adult in the Calgary region! Meeting other young adults who are going through what you are going through is an experience you can’t pass up!

Congratulations to Anne and her group on getting this started!

Why cancer fatigue occurs and how to cope

2009-08-06T12:28:06Z

The exact causes of cancer fatigue and how best to treat it aren’t known. Find out what doctors know about cancer fatigue and what you can do about it.

Fatigue, usually described as feeling tired, weak or exhausted, affects most people during cancer treatment. Cancer fatigue can result from the side effects of treatment or the cancer itself.

Click here to continue reading about cancer fatigue and what you can do to help.

Cancer View Canada

2009-08-03T13:14:24Z

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, in collaboration with a network of regional and national partners, has launched a new portal called Cancer View Canada (www.cancerview.ca). This is a very interesting site with many options available to cancer patients, survivors, supporters, and health professionals.

For patients it offers the following services, among others:
-Online & Telephone Support Directory – which will help you connect with web-based cancer networks and resources.
-Community Services Locator – which will list local community services throughout the country.
-Canadian Virtual Hospice – which provides support and information about palliative and end-of-life care.
-SAGE (Standards and Guidelines Evidences) – which provides information to support evidence-base practices.

However, the one that interests me the most is the Canadian Cancer Trials database. This is a national database of clinical trials in Canada. Here you can find out which trials are looking for patients, and even if you do not find an existing one that fits for you, you can register to be alerted when new information becomes available. This is very exciting in the young adult cancer world. Currently there are very few clinical trials for young adults, and if there are, they are very difficult to find. This database will hopefully eliminate some of the barriers for participation.

The site offers many other resources for cancer control, prevention, screening, supporting the journey, and much more. It is definitely worth a look!
Here is the link to the site www.cancerview.ca, or you can check out our list of cancer related links to find it!

Cancer portal connects Canadians

2009-07-31T12:07:47Z

Cancer View Canada connects Canadians to online services, information and resources for cancer control. It is an ever-evolving portal that brings together resources for cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and supportive, palliative and end-of-life care; specifically it includes a database of support services and clinical trials, among other resources.

“Canadians interested in learning about clinical cancer trials or connecting with others in their area affected by the disease can now access a new online resource.

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, in collaboration with a network of regional and national partners, launched a portal called cancerview.ca on Wednesday.”

Two New Young Adult Cancer Books

2009-07-31T12:00:08Z

‘Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20’s and 30’s’ by Kairol Rosenthal.

An essential resource for any young adult living with a cancer diagnosis. Following the author’s own diagnosis with thyroid cancer, she took on the daunting task of interviewing 25 young men and women, including 8 blood cancer patients, about their own cancer experiences. The result is an edgy, honest, and unsentimental companion for young adults making the treacherous and often lonely journey through cancer.

“Being diagnosed with cancer in your twenties is a completely jolting culture shock, and nobody was there to be my tour guide.”

Click here for more information on ‘Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20’s and 30’s’

‘Perseverance’ by Carolyn Rubenstein
Imagine being in high school or college—enjoying the “best times of your life”—when you’re told you have cancer. Perseverance tells the gripping, first-person accounts of twenty such young people who persevered with an incredible sense of purpose and strength, while reminding everyone that now is everything.

Click here for more information on ‘Perseverance: True Voices of Cancer Survivors’

Exciting Book Project – Need Young Adult Stories!

2009-07-13T14:24:56Z

The Canadian Cancer Network (with whom Young Adult Cancer Canada is a member) is developing a new exciting book project for their ‘Face of Cancer’ Initiative. This book would see the inclusion of a number of cancer patient stories as shared by those diagnosed with different forms of cancer including a compelling story of end of life care.

Obviously, we would LOVE to have a number of young adult patients/survivors involved in this book!

CCAN is looking for a list of potential interviewees who can provide content for the author to work with/from. This is a great opportunity to have the young adult voice heard!

If you are interested in participating, or just want some more information, please contact CCAN’s Executive Director, Ms. Marjorie Morrison at mmorrison@canceraction.ca or by phone at (416) 619-5784.

The deadline for submission is no later than Monday, July 27th, 2009.

This is our time to give back to the community and to have the young adult experience shared with others. If you are at all interested in sharing your story, please contact Marjorie!

Cancer treatment for women: Possible sexual side effects

2009-07-13T14:12:13Z

Sex might be the last thing on your mind as you start thinking about cancer treatment options and begin coping with the anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis. But as you start to feel more comfortable during cancer treatment and afterward, you’ll want to get back to a “normal” life as much as you can. For many women, this includes resuming sexual intimacy.

An intimate connection with a partner can make you feel loved and supported as you go through your cancer treatment. But sexual side effects of cancer treatment can make resuming sex more difficult. Find out if you’re at risk of sexual side effects after cancer treatment and which treatments can cause these side effects.

To read this full article please click here.

To read a related article ‘Cancer treatment for men: Possible sexual side effects’ please click here.

First Descents Returns to Montana

2009-07-13T14:11:04Z

Ludden, a Kalispell native, is one of the top professional kayakers in the world and the founder of First Descents, a program that provides free outdoor therapy for adults with cancer. He started the program 10 years ago when he was 18 years old and today it brings him to multiple states across the nation. This week, First Descents comes to Glacier National Park.

To read this full article please click here.