On Friday October 13, 2017, the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation (LBCF) held its second annual patient empowerment workshop in collaboration with the Breast Center of Excellence at the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute (NKBCI) of the American University of Beirut (AUB). The workshop aimed to spread hope and courage amongst women with advanced stage of breast cancer. Organized at Rotana Gefinor Hotel, it presented a great opportunity to raise awareness and discuss the disease and treatment options openly.
The unique workshop brought primary-level healthcare providers and a great number of experts in the field and media representatives to support and give a glance of hope to the breast cancer patients and their families. It shed light on the medical needs and quality of life of patients with advanced breast cancer. It included formal lectures and direct small group discussions held by doctors, nurses, psychologists and various specialists from multidisciplinary fields on medical aspects of advanced breast cancer, in addition to the psychological, social, and personal needs of those patients. The workshop covered many aspects of the patients’ daily life including nutrition, exercise, sexuality and family dynamics that are affected by the disease and treatment. The discussions were held by doctors, nurses, psychologists and various specialists.
The workshop started with a meditation session held by Ms. Grace Khleif, a certified life coach and hypnotherapist, and was followed by a discussion about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet and daily physical activity led by Ms. Fatima Beydoun, a well experienced nurse working closely with cancer patients. Another session that targeted sexuality and intimacy was presented by Ms. Rebecca El Asmar, an adult oncology clinical nurse specialist.
Director of Breast Center of Excellence at AUBMC and President of LBCF, Dr. Nagi El Saghir, presented a session which tackled the treatment and support of patients with advanced breast cancer. Dr. El Saghir emphasized that breast cancer patients deserve the same media and public support as that given to early detection campaigns. He said, “This pioneer initiative in the Middle East, for the second year in a row, underlines the importance of not only screening and early diagnosis, but also paying more attention and providing care to women who have advanced breast cancer as well. This workshop aims at empowering women with education and courage in order to ensure better living while getting the most advanced and best cancer treatment with full dignity and support. The support of the patient’s family, as well as friends, volunteers, staff, nurses and doctors is key to hope, perseverance, and standing up against cancer.”
Following, various interesting and important lectures were conducted about topics such as “Coping with Breast Cancer”, “Beauty Advice”, and “Breast Cancer beyond the Conventional”. These lectures centered on providing the patients with knowledge and support and arming them with coping mechanisms to strengthen their belief in their ability to continue living a normal life.
The second annual patient empowerment workshop was well received by the community at large and proved to be a great success in raising awareness and providing cancer patients and their family members with education and tips on wellness perspectives for living well through and beyond a breast cancer diagnosis.