Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Conference Coming to Buckhead

The first ever Multi-Disciplinary Conference for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation will be held Friday, Nov. 8, at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead.

This conference will be of interest to all health care providers working in the breast cancer field, including physicians and surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, exercise physiologists, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, navigators, massage therapists and dietitians.

The Atlanta-based non-profit Turning Point Breast Cancer Rehabilitation will co-host the conference with The Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

 "A conference of this nature that closely looks at the evidence related to the critical role rehabilitation and exercise plays for women with breast cancer will help our efforts immensely when it comes to educating and raising awareness," said Jill Binkley, TurningPoint's founder and executive director and a two-time breast cancer survivor.

She said a recent survey by Cure, an authoritative publication on cancer  survivorship, said only 22 percent of all cancer patients are referred to rehabilitation.

"One of my primary goals is to see that number increase," Binkley said.

Conference speakers include these leaders in the field of breast cancer rehabilitation and exercise:

• Andrea Cheville, MD,
• Sheryl Gabram-Mendola MD, MBA, FACS,
• Pamela Levangie PT, DSc, FAPTA,
• G. Stephen Morris PT, PhD, FACSM.

 Lori Allen will provide the keynote address at the conference luncheon.  Allen is owner of the bridal boutique Bridals by Lori, star of the TLC hit show 'Say Yes to the Dress," and a breast cancer survivor.

A certificate of completion will be provided to all activity participants based on completion of the program evaluation and documentation of actual attendance time.

A special course will be held immediately following the conference Nov. 8-9, also at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta, that focuses on the complexities of the changing climate of healthcare, models of survivorship rehabilitation clinics, innovative interventions for side effects related to breast cancer and its treatment, and the selection and utilization of functional outcome measures to address recent Medicare mandates.  

For additional information on the entire weekend, call 770-360-9271 or email Jill Binkley at jbinkley@myturningpoint.org