Survivorship seminar draws 200 to campus

More than 200 cancer survivors, family members and friends attended “Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness,” the annual seminar of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program held earlier this month.

Comedian and cancer survivor Scott Burton, the keynote presenter, joked and juggled for attendees, offering a sometimes whimsical view of survivorship.

“The only word that inspires as much fear as cancer is audit,” Burton said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Cancer has done terrible things to all of us, but it does open our perspective on what life can be.”  

Survivorship Program co-director Dr. Scott Baker, who also heads the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Survivorship Clinic, welcomed attendees and directed them to expert-led breakout sessions. Faculty and staff from the Center, SCCA and other institutions presented seminars tailored for survivors on post-treatment fatigue and energy; memory and cognitive function; exercise and nutrition; complementary and alternative medicine; relationships and sexuality; caregiving; lymphedema; insurance rights and more.

Life-affirming, empowering

Testament to its life-affirming and empowering message, the event generates overwhelmingly positive evaluations from attendees each year. “Very useful information and very positive approach to moving forward and healing,” said one 2012 attendee.

Visit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program site for more information or to subscribe to the Survive and Thrive e-newsletter.