SIG Updates

Beginning in August, the Blood Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant (BC/BMT) SIG will have a monthly online forum to discuss various psychosocial issues in our practice. Each month, we will explore a different topic such as survivorship, medical marijuana, working with young adults and mental health concerns. Even though our SIG is blood cancer and bone …

Blood Cancer/BMT SIG: Monthly Forum to Address Psychosocial Issues Read More »

Many people living with advanced breast cancer describe the moment they learned of their diagnosis as “truly devastating.” Patients can feel betrayed by their bodies or angry. Some second guess treatment decisions they made when initially diagnosed. Coming to terms with a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer is very individual and affects each patient differently.

Most oncology social workers (OSWs) are at least somewhat familiar with clinical trials, the systematic process by which research ideas move from bench to clinic while researchers carefully gather sufficient data to determine whether a new approach is as good as or better than the current standard of care. Historically, this has been a lengthy, …

Brain Tumor SIG – Research With Rare Diagnoses: What Exactly IS a “Platform Trial”? Read More »

We are the new SIG Co-Chairs for the AYA SIG and are very excited to work with you in this capacity! Here is a little bit of information about us. 

Since November was National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, I want to shine some light on the value of integrating early neuro-palliative care interventions, which has received renewed interest from research findings in recent years.

Su Murdock, a longtime member of AOSW and the Spirituality SIG, retires from her position as Clinical Director of Community-Based Cancer Support Services at Ann’s Place in Danbury, CT, in January, 2020. We invited her to reflect on her oncology social work career and the impact of spirituality in her work. Her beautiful essay below …

Spirituality SIG: We Are All in This Together Read More »

As oncology social workers, we have much clinical experience affirming that health and well-being involve the total person. We have witnessed our clients being profoundly impacted physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually by a cancer diagnosis. We conduct bio-psychosocial spiritual assessments and know that spirituality is a resource many draw upon as they confront deep fears, …

Spirituality SIG: A Spiritual Invitation Just For You Read More »

If you work with any adult who has cancer and also has kids, you need to know about Camp Kesem. It’s a free sleepover camp for kids who have a parent with cancer, and the support provided by the camp extends throughout the year. At Gilda’s Club Madison I have had the pleasure of partnering …

Youth, Families, & Cancer SIG: Camp Kesem – Magic for the Whole Family Facing Cancer Read More »

Oncology social workers are in a unique place to provide support to patients and advocate for their care. One of our roles is to make sure patients and their loved ones understand the patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan. By speaking to them in layman’s terms, we can help them understand what they are about to …

Radiation Therapy SIG: An Overview of Oncology Social Workers as Patient Advocates in a Radiation Therapy Setting Read More »