Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System

<strong>Focused</strong> on you 5Special Programs on Waldenström’s MacroglobulinemiaOn May 19, the Cvetko Patient Education Center and the North Texas Waldenström’s MacroglobulinemiaSupport Group hosted a special program on Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia,which was open to both patients and health care professionals. This disease is an uncommonB-cell lymphoma with about 1,000 to 1,500 cases diagnosed each year in the UnitedStates. Marvin J. Stone, MD, chief of oncology at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallasand director of Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, began by presenting “Diagnosis and ClinicalFeatures of Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia.” Afterwards, Steven P. Treon, MD, PhD, programdirector at the Bing Center for Waldenström’s Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,presented “Advances in the Biology and Therapy of Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia.”The second Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia program was held on November 17. Theprogram featured Irene Ghobrial, MD, from the Bing Center for Waldenström’s Research,who presented “Novel Agents in Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia.” Both programs werecosponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Exercise ProgramsTwo new exercise programs for cancer patients began in 2007:• First, a pilot study began to examine the effectiveness of aquatic exercise in reducinglymphedema. Breast cancer patients who developed lymphedema after cancer treatmentand had already explored conventional treatments, such as decongestive therapy andlymph drainage massage, were encouraged to participate. Patients in the study attend12 one-hour aquatic exercise classes two or three times a week at the Baylor Tom LandryFitness Center.Marvin J. Stone, MD, andSteven P. Treon, MD, PhD,wearing his “welcome toDallas” hat presented byDr. Stone.• Second, Baylor Sammons Cancer Center collaborated with the Cancer Foundation forLife to offer Fit Steps , which focuses on exercise and conditioning to improve the physicaland psychological well-being of patients regardless of their health status. Patients arereferred to this program by their physician. They receive a thorough assessment of theircurrent condition and a customized program to help increase their physical functioning.FitSteps focuses on execiseand condtioning to improvethe physical and psychologicalwell-being of patients.Celebrating Cancer Survivors and Barrett LectureshipThe Virginia R. Cvetko Patient Education Center and US Oncology together sponsored Baylor’scelebration of the National Cancer Survivors Day from June 5 through 8. Refreshmentsand information were available in the lobby of the Sammons Cancer Center all week. Tableswere manned by Cvetko Center volunteers and staff, as well as representatives from manylocal cancer support organizations including American Cancer Society, Gilda’s Club NorthTexas, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Information was available on survivorshipissues, early detection and prevention, and support groups offered in the Dallas area.In conjunction with the celebration, the Charlotte Johnson Barrett Lectureship was held.At the 2007 event, the speaker was Julie Silver, MD, assistant professor at Harvard Medi-