OVERVIEW
This free activity consists of a Lecture Presentation, a Learning Assessment, and an Evaluation form.
The content of this virtual lecture is derived from a satellite symposium presented on May 2, 2009, in
San Antonio, Texas.

MEDIUM: Virtual Lecture
INTERNET RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2009
(Continuing education credit is no longer available for this activity.)

Estimated time to complete this activity: 2.0 hours

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TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of young adults with blood cancer.

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ACTIVITY PURPOSE
Young adults are often underserved in our healthcare system at a time in their life when they are experiencing physical, emotional and financial changes. Add the burden of cancer—and the challenge can be overwhelming.

The incidence of cancer in young adults increased steadily over the past quarter century. Survival improvement trends indicate a worse prognosis for young adults diagnosed with cancer today than 25 years ago, in contrast to all other ages.1

This activity will identify treatment challenges for young adults with blood cancer, including the unique physical and psychosocial factors, desire for independence, sexual and fertility issues and lack of and underutilization of insurance. Discussion will focus on the gaps in services for this age group, adherence to treatment and follow-up care, long-term and late effects of treatment, and survivorship issues, to help nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals more effectively communicate with and treat young adult survivors.

1Bleyer A, O'Leary M, Barr R, Ries LAG (eds): Cancer Epidemiology in Older Adolescents and Young Adults 15 to 29 Years of Age,
  Including SEER Incidence and Survival: 1975–2000. National Cancer Institute, NIH Pub. No. 06-5767. Bethesda, MD; 2006.

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EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Define treatment challenges in young adults with blood cancers
• Cite gaps in services available to young adults with blood cancers
• Describe survivorship issues facing young adults
• Explain the need to keep young adults integrated in the healthcare system for follow-up care
• Identify long-term/late effects of cancer treatment
• Describe the ethical boundaries in communicating with young adult patients

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METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
To complete this activity and receive a Statement of Credit, participants must:

1. Review all contents of this activity
2. Complete and submit the Learning Assessment and Evaluation form
3. Score at least 70% on the Learning Assessment

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CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION

NURSES AND SOCIAL WORKERS
Approval for nurses has been obtained by the National Office of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society under provider number CEP 5832 to award 2.0 continuing education contact hours through the California Board of Registered Nursing.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), provider number 1105, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org Approved Continuing Education Program (ACE). Approval Period: 12/2008–12/2011. LLS maintains responsibility for the program. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers will receive 2.0 CE (1 clinical and 1 social work ethics) clock hours.

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FACULTY

Sage Bolte, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
Sage Bolte, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, is an oncology counselor for Life with Cancer®, a nonprofit, community-supported organization dedicated to the education and support of those affected by cancer. After graduating with a dual degree in psychology and social work from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, Ms. Bolte earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in social work at The Catholic University in Washington, DC. Ms. Bolte’s areas of interest and expertise are sexuality and cancer and the various issues that face the adolescent/young adult population. She was recently awarded the American Cancer Society’s Doctoral Training Grant to support her dissertation research on the effect of cancer and its treatments on the young adult cancer survivor’s sexuality.

Eric Cohen, RN, BSN, OCN
Eric Cohen, RN, BSN, OCN, is currently a program manager for patient and family education at Life With Cancer®, a nonprofit, community-supported organization dedicated to the education and support of those affected by cancer. Mr. Cohen received his bachelor’s degree from George Mason University. He serves on the national nominating committee of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). As a patient educator, Mr. Cohen co-facilitates the Life With Cancer Lymphoma Support Group, Prostate Cancer Group, Caregivers Group, and Young Adult Group. Mr. Cohen is committed to his role as a member of the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s Young Adult Alliance, and he has raised money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through his completion of a century ride with Team in Training^®, a cycling program designed to raise awareness of blood cancers.

Nicole Rosipal, RN, MSN, CPNP
Nicole Rosipal, RN, MSN, CPNP, is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner for pediatric stem cell transplant and cellular therapy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children’s Cancer Hospital. Ms. Rosipal has played an integral role in collaborating with the pediatric and adult stem cell transplant teams to develop a “YA” (young adult) service that aims to address the unique needs of this patient population. She is currently working to initiate a novel video gaming–based exercise protocol to be used by adolescent and young adult (AYA) stem cell transplant patients during their hospitalizations. Ms. Rosipal also recently presented at meetings of the Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Nurses and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, where she spoke about the psychosocial needs of AYA.

Michael E. Rytting, MD
Michael E. Rytting, MD, is an associate professor of pediatrics and holds a joint appointment in adult leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children’s Cancer Hospital. After graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. Rytting went on to complete his residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Rytting specializes in pediatric and young adult leukemia and lymphoma. His clinical research is predominantly focused on acute lymphoblastic leukemia in young adults.

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DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
All faculty participating in continuing education activities by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are expected to disclose to the activity participants any significant financial interest or other relationships with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in their presentations. Faculty also are expected to disclose any unlabeled or investigational uses of products discussed in their presentations.

• Sage Bolte, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, has asked that we advise participants in this activity that she has no affiliations at this time.
• Eric Cohen, RN, BSN, OCN, has asked that we advise participants in this activity that he has no affiliations at this time.
• Nicole Rosipal, RN, MSN, CPNP, has asked that we advise participants in this activity that she has no affiliations at this time.
• Michael E. Rytting, MD, has asked that we advise participants in this activity that he has an affiliation with Enzon Pharmaceuticals (Speakers' Bureau).

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STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
This program is supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 5U58/DP001105-02 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its content is solely the responsibility of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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FEE INFORMATION
There is no fee for this educational activity.

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QUESTIONS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
For questions regarding the content of this activity, contact the Information Resource Center at 800-955-4572, or visit the LLS Web site at www.LLS.org. For technical assistance, contact jungsen@rmcom.net.

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Hardware/Software requirements include:
• Windows 95, 98se, ME, XP, NT 4.0, 2000   
  - Internet Explorer 4.0+
  - Netscape Navigator 6.2+
  - Mozilla Firefox 1.0+
• Macintosh 9.2, OS X 10.1+
  - Safari 1.1+
  - Netscape Navigator 6.2+
  - Internet Explorer 5.2+
  - Mozilla Firefox 1.0+
• Additional Requirements
  - Windows Media Player
  - Internal/external speakers
  - Broadband connection (DSL/cable) recommended

 

 

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Questions, grievances or assistance for people with disabilities, please contact the LLS Information Resource Center (IRC) at (800) 955-4572.