Program Offers Medical, Legal and Emotional Support to Bay Area Women Balancing Careers with Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

October 27, 2009

Cancer and Careers, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) and The Wellness Community Provide Resources for Women to Manage Cancer While Working

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Cancer and Careers and Genentech have partnered with Young Survival Coalition (YSC) and The Wellness Community to bring the "Balancing Cancer and Careers" seminar to San Francisco. The program, introduced in 2008 to cancer survivors, healthcare providers and caregivers across the U.S., features local doctors, cancer survivors and legal experts speaking to the challenges that women with cancer may face in the workplace. Topics covered include addressing their diagnosis with coworkers, navigating HR and disability payments and choosing treatment options that may allow them to spend less time away from work. The San Francisco event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 10 at the Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St., at Union Square.

"After a cancer diagnosis, many women either choose to or need to continue working," said Kate Sweeney, executive director, Cancer and Careers. "These women are then faced with the challenge of balancing treatment and their careers. We're pleased to support them in meeting this challenge by offering resources and an expert panel to provide a forum for questions, answers, discussion and information-sharing."

According to a study published this year in the journal Cancer, working women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who are treated with chemotherapy are nearly twice as likely as those not receiving chemotherapy to have a greater risk of leaving work, retiring or going on long-term disability over the following year.(1)

"It is important to me to partner with my patients to find a treatment regimen that will minimally disrupt their lives," said Hope S. Rugo, M.D., UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. "For some women, oral chemotherapy may be a better choice than intravenous therapy at certain points during their treatment course, as the intravenous therapy requires them to spend more time at the hospital undergoing treatment."

"We're proud to offer this important program to women who have been diagnosed with and undergone treatment for cancer," said Marcia Stein, chief executive officer, Young Survival Coalition. "The seminars provide women with valuable information that can facilitate their transition back to work, which is a critical issue to women facing a cancer diagnosis."

About the Program

In addition to Ms. Sweeney and Dr. Rugo, other featured guests include:

    --  Joanna Morales, Esq., Director, Cancer Legal Resource Center
    --  Trisha Ekstrom, the Bay Area chapter of YSC

    --  Margaret Stauffer, The Wellness Community San Francisco East Bay
        affiliate

Attendees will receive information on national resources that may help them adjust to maintaining work while undergoing cancer treatment. Additional topics will cover:

    --  Creating an action plan to address colleagues
    --  Discussing effective treatment options with your doctor
    --  Legal rights for cancer patients in the workplace

    --  Review of a recently updated Congressional bill that expands the
        definition of disability

The San Francisco seminar is free and open to the public. To RSVP, call 1-866-541-1972 or e-mail cancerandcareers@mslworldwide.com. For additional information and to obtain resources presented during the seminar, please call (866) 541-1972, (925) 933-0107 or visit CancerandCareers.org.

About Cancer and Careers

Cancer and Careers is a program committed to changing the face of cancer in the workplace by providing a comprehensive website, free publications, and a series of support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer. Cancer and Careers' Living and Working with Cancer workbook, available free of charge in English and Spanish, has been distributed to more than 70,000 cancer survivors in all 50 states, Canada, England, India, South Africa and Spain. CancerandCareers.org informs more than 132,000 visitors per year, providing essential tools and information for employees with cancer.

In addition, the Managing Through Cancer Pioneers program helps employers face the challenge of cancer in the workplace. Member companies enhance their own workplace culture, while also demonstrating their commitment to setting a standard of support for all employees battling the disease.

Cancer and Careers is a program of the CEW Foundation, the charitable arm of Cosmetic Executive Women, Inc., a New York-based non-profit trade organization of 4,000 executives in the beauty, cosmetics, fragrance and related industries.

About Young Survival Coalition

Young Survival Coalition (YSC), based in New York with more than 20 affiliates across the country, is the premier organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. YSC works with survivors, caregivers and the medical, research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for young women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under. For more information about the programs and services of Young Survival Coalition, visit youngsurvival.org or call (877) YSC-1011.

About The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club

In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club joined forces to become the largest provider of cancer support worldwide. The combined organization is comprised of nearly 50 local affiliates, 12 affiliates in development and over 100 satellite locations. Together, we will continue to provide support, education and hope to all people affected by cancer. By offering professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress-reduction classes, The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club continue to empower and educate individuals affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.thewellnesscommunity.org. For information about The Wellness Community San Francisco East Bay, visit www.twcba.org.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

(1) Hassett MJ, O'Malley A., Keating NL. Factors Influencing Changes in Employment Among Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer. Cancer. 2009; 115: 2775-2782.

SOURCE Cancer and Careers