ASCO and a Better Mood

Well, my strategy seems to be working.

I finished writing my application for a grant to go to the ASCO conference in Chicago as a patient advocate, and sent that off, and that improved my bad mood by quite a bit.

As did all the supportive comments on my blog and in e-mails. Thank you all.

So now I need to move on and get the guest room clean, walk my dog, and go to the post office. Just the ordinary things of life.

ASCO
That's the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and some 30,000 people, mostly oncologists, I imagine, will be gathering for this meeting in Chicago in late May and early June. The downtown hotels are already sold out, so if I go I will have to stay at an airport hotel. Apparently there will be free shuttle service.

Here are some of the sessions that I plan to attend:

** Communicating Prognosis: How Oncologists Can Be More Effective
(I know Tony Back, the moderator for this one, and have made presentations with him several times in the past, including one to medical students at the University of Washington Medical Center. Baby doctors, I call them.)

** Integrating the Humanistic and Scientific Aspects of Patient Care: The Perspective of Seasoned Surgical, Medical, Pediatric, and Radiation Oncologists

** Access to Investigational Drugs Off-Protocol: What Do We Owe Patients?

** Conflicts of Interest in Oncology: Understanding the Problems and Finding Solutions

** Recognition and Management of Medical Errors in Oncology

** Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents Use and Overuse: How Do Oncologists Negotiate Conflicting Demands?

Great titles, huh? (NOT.)

I was looking for more on clinical trials, like how to get cancer patients to enroll in clinical trials, because I have some thoughts on that, and also some sessions on psychosocial issues, which I didn't find at all. I want to suggest that someone should do a psychosocial trial about stress over medical bills and patient outcomes.

I'll take the info I have on that along with me to the conference, because I might meet someone who is interested, and of course I will have my laptop so I can blog about all of this.

Go to the ASCO site to read about the conference: ASCO

Comments

[Brian]

I must say you are a fighter! I sure love your attitude!You share it all.

I too am a cancer patient (head and neck.) I lost 1/2 my tongue to this disease. I can still talk, but can't stick my tongue out anymore! Mom always threatened to cut it off when I did, so now she's happy!Just kidding.

I applaud you! Thank you for your insight. Please stop by my blog if you have time. Good Health to you!Keep on bloggin!

Peace
Brian
http://beyondtheglassdoor.blogspot.com/

[jeanne]

Brian--I'm so sorry about your tongue, but you sound like a fighter too! I will check out your blog, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Jeanne

[Gregory D. Pawelski]

Going to an ASCO conference? Be prepared!

I have a friend who has exhibited at over a dozen of the ASCO annual meetings, and the space alone is extremely expensive. Acres and acres of unbelievably extravagant drug company exhibits - 50 ft x 50 ft. and even larger.

In addition, as you read the programs at these things, you see that all of the other official ASCO activities - luncheons, balls, dinners, special sessions, messaging services, DVD and audio CD production, multi-room simulcast - are all paid for by an educational grant from (your drug company name here).

In addition there are many other national and regional ASCO meetings, symposia, and other "educational" events - all of which are directly and openly funded by the pharmaceutical companies.

You will be overwhelmed!

[jeanne]

Oh, but that's why I'm going--I want to document all of that and write about it on my blog! It will be fascinating.

[Jennifer]

Good for you Jeanne (and I'm glad your mood has lifted a bit)! The ASCO conference sounds like it might be a good look into the "business" of cancer.