AOSW Connections

The world of oncology treatment is changing right before our eyes. The advances in treatment, the sheer increase in number of survivors, the shift to more cancers being treated as a chronic illness and the increase in caregiver burden are only some examples of these changes.

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology (JPO), the official journal of the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), is pleased to announce that Karen Kayser, PhD, MSW, will become incoming Editor-in-Chief, beginning January 1, 2016.

The Social Work Oncology Network (SWON) was established 20 years ago. It the oldest branch of AOSW’s Communications Team, and it continues to be a vital benefit of AOSW membership.

Almost 25 years ago, Nancy Cruzan died following a lengthy and very public court battle, amid national media attention, at a time when her family wished only for peace and privacy. Nancy’s sister, Chris Cruzan White, died of ovarian cancer this past August, in the embrace of her family, and with only the attention of her large circle of friends and close acquaintances. Chris’s last months and her final days were lived out through many conscious choices about who and what was important to her, and how she wanted to spend her time. Until the end, she cherished life and made memories with her family, posting selfies with the loves of her life on Facebook, and making a final visit to the graves of Nancy and her parents, Joe and Joyce Cruzan, just weeks before being laid to rest there herself.   
 

I attended the IPOS 16th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology and Psychosocial Academy meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in October 2014 and want to give you a brief summary of some of the information I gathered.

A few years ago, as a new certified social worker and holistic health graduate, I had the good fortune to be offered a social work position with The Wellness Community in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free comprehensive programs of emotional support, education and hope to any individual affected by a cancer diagnosis. My role as Program Assistant was to help coordinate programs in the recently expanded satellite center in Ocean County.

In July, I had the great privilege of attending and presenting at the 7th Annual Spirituality and Health Summer Institute that was hosted in Washington, DC by the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, aka “G-Wish." In contrast to a large conference, this institute was relatively small and intimate (approximately 65 participants and 20 presenters), allowing for much conversation. Participants came from all over the United States and the world (Canada, India, Africa, Australia, Switzerland, The Netherlands), which lent a fascinating perspective. The participants represented a variety of disciplines including physicians, nurses, chaplains, psychologists, educators, ethicists and social workers, working in various settings (hospitals, clinics, hospice, prison). There were very few social workers present and I was asked to encourage my social work colleagues to participate in future institutes because we are a missed voice at the table.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mission is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise—“To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan”—by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.

Interviewed by Alison Sachs, MSW, CSW, OSW-C
AOSW President-Elect

The National Comprehensive Cancer Coalition Network (NCCN) defines adolescents and young adults (AYAs) as people ages 15 to 39 at the time of a cancer diagnosis. According to NCCN, in comparison to older adults and children, the AYA population has experienced minimal improvement in survival rates over the last two decades. When facing cancer, the AYA patient population often confronts a unique set of psychosocial challenges related to the normal developmental tasks associated with this life stage, including identity formation, developing independence, managing school and beginning a career, finding a life partner and creating a family.     

Recently, while working with a woman diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, I realized that sometimes a network is the best resource. Deb came to my clinic to consult with a medical oncologist with whom I work. And brought her cat!

Summer Al-Majed, MSW
Oncology Social Worker
DeKalb Medical Hospital
Decatur, Georgia

Over the last year, AOSW’s former SIG on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM SIG) changed its name to the Integrative Oncology SIG, as recommended by the SIG members. The change is intended to reflect the fact that these approaches are not used just as an adjunct to conventional treatment, but are now ideally and practically being actualized as an integral part of managing cancer and its disease and treatment effects, and in reducing the risk of recurrence. In fact, integrative oncology approaches have increasingly become much more a part of the treatment landscape than in former years, as exhibited by our SIG members’ reports that most of their cancer centers currently offer at least some forms of complementary approaches (such as relaxation techniques, massage, energy therapies). While patients who are familiar and comfortable with integrative approaches may not need much education or encouragement to utilize such methods, some SIG members have recommended that our SIG devise a consistent message for oncology social workers to use in introducing these approaches to patients.

Kelly Turner embarked upon this book when she was moved by the anecdotal stories of patients who overcame their serious cancer diagnoses, which they were not statistically expected to survive. A social worker by education and training, she initially worked in the field of psycho-oncology before returning to school to pursue her PhD and the inspiring contents of this book.