Virtual Poster Showcase
Virtual Poster Showcase
Visit https://www.coloradocancercoalition.org/symposium/
to stay up-to-date on Coalition activities and future events!
POSTER TITLE: Does the Americans with Disabilities Act Protect Someone with Cancer?
CONTRIBUTORS: Rocky Mountain ADA Center
POSTER SUMMARY: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a far reaching law that protects individuals with disabilities. Many people may not realize that cancer can be considered a disability under the ADA, providing protections to employees who have cancer. This can be someone who currently has cancer or who has had cancer in the past and has been discriminated against in the workplace because of a past history. Individuals should be aware of what the ADA says and how it may apply to them to understand their civil rights.
POSTER TITLE: The Meaning and Function of Hope Among Young Adults with Advanced Cancer
CONTRIBUTORS: Jen Currin-McCulloch, Colorado State University School of Social Work
POSTER SUMMARY: This presentation reveals findings and clinical implications of a grounded theory study that explores how young adults (YAs) engage hope to cope with advanced cancer. The resulting contingent hope theoretical framework portrays the pattern of psychosocial behaviors YAs employ to engage hope.
POSTER TITLE: Symptom Burden, Identity Balance and Emotional Distress in Cancer Survivors; a Mediation Analysis
CONTRIBUTORS: Lynne Bentley
POSTER SUMMARY: Cancer survivors experience of emotional distress adversely affects their outcomes. The impact has led clinicians to consider "distress" as the sixth vital sign. Emotional distress is a response to a threatening circumstance. Of the antecedents to emotional distress in cancer patients, symptom burden accounts for the greatest amount of variance. Qualitative studies in populations of cancer survivors have shown that identity affects the experience of emotional distress related to symptom burden. The purpose of this research was to measure the relationships among symptom burden, identity balance, and emotional distress by testing whether identity balance mediates the relationship between symptom burden and emotional distress in cancer survivors.
POSTER TITLE: Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship Program: Effects of a 10-week Physical Activity Intervention on Fitness and QOL in Cancer Survivors
CONTRIBUTORS: De’Aijah Paulk, Tracey Robinson, Ph.D., Maureen Cooper, M.D., Peggy Johnson, Alexis Colwell, Payton Billingham Affiliation: Adams State University; SLV Health; Alamosa Family Recreation Center
POSTER SUMMARY: In Alamosa, a rural community, researchers have implemented a physical activity (PA) program with cancer survivors in the San Luis Valley (SLV). This is the first 10-week session of the two-year grant from the Cancer Colorado Coalition (Fall 2019). The purpose of the intervention is to determine the effect of regular PA on cancer survivors’ overall fitness and quality of life (QOL). During the study, participants are involved in activities that focus on cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, and flexibility. Mood, relationships, pain, and fatigue are all measured for QOL. For cancer survivors, physical activity should be acknowledged as standard treatment protocol based on past, present, and future research. The researchers would like SLV cancer survivors to continue receiving progressive and individualized non-pharmacological interventions, which could also include nutritional supplementation to help maintain muscle mass along with the PA program.
POSTER TITLE: Sarah Cannon Virtual Breast Cancer Support Group During COVID-19
CONTRIBUTORS: Sarah Cannon/HCA
POSTER SUMMARY: The Sarah Cannon Breast Cancer support group holds monthly meetings for breast cancer patients: newly diagnosed, on their treatment journey, and patients in survivorship. This support group is available to all breast cancer patients in the communities and the Denver Metro area. Sky Ridge team members and community partners provide support, compassion, and information during their journey to recovery and beyond. After discussion with regular support group attendees and their concern of missing in- person support for each other, especially during COVID, virtual meetings was an option to consider. The virtual meetings increased attendance by 200%, averaging 20-25 women each month with further increase in attendance during guest speaker presentations. In addition, the support group is now widely available in the community and rural settings. Virtual option has opened new doors for more patients to participate. Those who are shy or uncomfortable attending in person, now dial in.