IPOS News

FORwards Webinars

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Fear of Recurrence Webinar Series. This new Zoom-based webinar series aims to bring together our international community of FORwards researchers and clinicians, to provide cutting-edge updates on brand-spanking new research on fear of cancer recurrence, and to spark new conversations and collaborative projects across the globe. Watch your inboxes for details of the first webinar in the series, which will be hosted next month.

FORwards research opportunity – call for student/postdoc to lead

FORwards intends to support a research project to develop and publish a paper on the ‘Core Outcome Domains and Measures for Fear of Cancer Recurrence/Progression Studies and Clinical Trials.’ The paper will follow a similar structure as this influential paper published in the field of pediatric pain. We are looking for a postdoc or a student researcher to lead this project – PIs please contact [email protected] if your postdoc/student is interested.

New online FCR research hub

The Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) in Australia have launched an online FCR resource hub (https://www.pocog.org.au/content.aspx?pagetype=public&page=fcrhub&version=1&search=*) to make it easier for people to access the ConquerFear intervention materials and research involving members of the ConquerFear team.

Call for ECR opportunities

FORwards is committed to supporting our Early Career Researchers (ECRs). Do you know of an upcoming postdoc position or ECR funding opportunity? If so, please send all announcements to [email protected] so that we can compile these and disseminate to our ECR community.

FCR Research

FORwards members have been hard at work publishing new papers on fear of cancer recurrence and progression over the last few months. Below is a selection of new papers from our SIG members.

• Muldbücker, P, et al. Are women more afraid than men? Fear of recurrence in couples with cancer–predictors and sex-role-specific differences. Journal of psychosocial oncology (2020).
• Heathcote, L. C., Zion, S. R., & Crum, A. J. Cancer survivorship – considering mindsets. JAMA oncology (2020).
• Cho, D., & Park, C. L. Moderating effects of perceived growth on the association between fear of cancer recurrence and health-related quality of life among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Journal of psychosocial oncology, (2017).
• Shim, E. J., et al. Trajectory of fear of cancer recurrence and beliefs and rates of medication adherence in patients with breast cancer. Psycho‐Oncology (2020).
• Lebel, S., et al. Health anxiety and illness-related fears across diverse chronic illnesses: A systematic review on conceptualization, measurement, prevalence, course, and correlates. PloS one (2020).
• Reb, A. M., et al. Fear of Cancer Progression: Findings From Case Studies and a Nurse-Led Intervention. Clinical journal of oncology nursing (2020).
• Thiele, S., et al. Fear of disease progression and relevant correlates in acute leukemia patients prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Psycho‐Oncology (2020).
• Martin, C. M., et al. The Impact of Social Constraints on Insomnia Among African‐American Breast Cancer Survivors: The Mediating Role of Fear of Recurrence. Psycho‐Oncology (2020).

If you would like to include an update in the Autumn newsletter, or know a student or colleague who would like to join this SIG, please reach out to Lauren Heathcote (FORwards Secretary) at [email protected].  Thank you all for the phenomenal work that you do to support people living with and beyond cancer.

Since the 22nd IPOS World Conference was delayed until 2021, the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice – the Official IPOS Journal - published the CAPO 2020 Conference Abstracts. All accepted abstracts from the CAPO 2020 Conference Program are included and FREE to access! The publication is now available by going to https://journals.lww.com/jporp/toc/2020/07001

Also note, ANYONE around the World can now purchase the COMPLETE CAPO Conference recordings (watch at your own leisure and time zone!). This year's conference was a hybrid of LIVE and pre-recorded presentations. The LIVE sessions were recorded and are now available for purchase for anyone that did not register. The recordings include:

• 20-minute oral presentations
• Symposiums
• 90-minute workshops
• Pre-recorded 10-minute oral presentations
• E-posters with pre-recorded presentations

As a bonus, all of our pre-conference workshops were recorded and are also included with this package.

• Regular Member:$225 CDN
• Non-Member:$350 CDN
• Student Member:$125 CDN
• Student Non-Member:$150 CDN
• Patient Advocate Member:$125 CDN
• Patient Advocate Non-Member:$150 CDN

To purchase, please go to https://capo.wildapricot.org/event-3935919

Introduction to Theory and Practice (IPODE) and Sexual Health in Cancer Part 1 (IPODE) Online Courses

For a decade now, de Souza Institute has been offering continuing professional development courses to healthcare professionals, to enhance their knowledge and competency and give them tools to provide the best possible cancer and/or palliative care. With online course offerings, participants can start at any time, from anywhere! Join over 16,000 healthcare professionals who have learned with de Souza.

IPOS Members receive 10% off until August 24th on the below courses with coupon code. Please email the IPOS office to request the coupon code.

Interprofessional Psychosocial Oncology Part 1: Introduction to Theory and Practice (IPODE) - Psychosocial Oncology is a specialty area of cancer care that is concerned with the myriad of psychological, emotional, social and spiritual responses of persons affected by cancer. This web-based continuing education course provides an opportunity for practicing health professionals to explore common psychosocial issues that individuals and families experience when an adult family member is diagnosed with cancer. Primary emphases in the course include understanding the illness experience and assessing distress and coping from a family centered perspective. Enroll by August 17th , course starts on August 17th and ends on December 7, 2020.

Visit the Interprofessional Psychosocial Oncology Part 1: Introduction to Theory and Practice (IPODE) for additional details, including online classroom dates

Sexual Health in Cancer Part 1 (IPODE) - Sexual concerns are one of the most common cancer survivorship issues, yet they are the least likely to be discussed. Learn skills in assessment and counseling for common sexual health issues in cancer care. Enroll by August 19, course starts on September 3.

Visit the Sexual Health in Cancer course webpage for additional details, including online classroom dates.

Both courses are offered in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology.

Find out more by going to https://mailchi.mp/ipos-society/ipos-xchange-feb112020-1500986?e=9b35f09fec

The update below has been kindly provided by:

Dr. habil. Dégi L. Csaba PhD MSW
IPOS Director · ECCO Director · UBB-BBTE Ombudsman ·
APSCO President · IASLC · CNASR Comisia de Cercetare

My name is Anna Ugalde and I am a senior research fellow at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. My role is focused on research, with the program including studies on understanding the experiences of people with cancer and their caregivers, intervention studies, health services research and evaluation of models of care or support services. These studies use a range of methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, and we do a few systematic reviews as well. My background is in psychology and I am early/mid career stage. My PhD developed an instrument for cancer caregivers, and more recently I have become interested in implementation science. In 2018 I attended the Training Institute for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer course, run by National Cancer Institute, which included a series of online modules and a quick trip to Washington DC. I highly recommend the course – I feel implementation remains a key challenge in psycho-oncology and after the training I have been able to apply implementation science principles to a range of studies. This includes co-authoring a paper on a primer for implementation science in psycho-oncology in the new IPOS journal: Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice (Rankin et al., 2019) and also a systematic review exploring the implementation potential of cancer caregiving interventions, finding they are generally not designed or conducted to promote implementation (Ugalde et al., 2019, Psycho-Oncology). I love working in research, it is always busy, diverse and interesting! Being a member of IPOS represents an opportunity to be in touch with colleagues from around the world.

This report was commissioned by the European Parliament and the European Cancer Organisation produced the report.  IPOS members will be particularly interested in pages 93-96 which cover psychosocial care. This provides powerful support for our members in local advocacy initiatives.

IPOS has recently established a Survivorship Special Interest Group (SIG). The aims of the Survivorship Special Interest Group (SIG) are to:

• Provide a professional network for clinicians and researchers who have an interest in cancer survivorship
• Promote awareness of issues affecting cancer survivors, their family members, and carers
• Disseminate through the IPOS website information about a broad range of educational opportunities (including web-based resources or focused training), workshops or conferences (if approved by the Education Committee) of interest to members
• Establish research collaborations (in coordination with the IPOS Research Committee)
• Disseminate research findings including implementation strategies particularly in the areas of prevention, early detection, and management of survivorship issues, as well as promotion of wellness
• Network with like-minded organisations with a similar focus to the IPOS survivorship SIG
• Provide advice to the IPOS Board regarding survivorship care

I am the inaugural chair of the SIG. We are now calling for expressions of interest / members. To be eligible, you must be a member of IPOS, or be willing to join.

Work of the SIG will be shaped by the membership, though we anticipate initial work will include:

• Establishing a section of the IPOS website that will contain: guidance regarding common issues experienced by survivors; professional education relevant to survivorship care; information about research gaps and priorities; profiles of current IPOS members active in survivorship research; resources about the post-treatment survivorship phase for patients and carers, available in multiple languages
• Collating information from SIG members regarding their current clinical practice, educational and research activity, relating to cancer survivorship
• Facilitating research collaborations in topics relating to cancer survivorship
• Considering the development of position statements and resource-stratified guidelines relating to cancer survivorship

Please complete a simple form to register your interest by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FBDLTH7

I hope we’ll have our first Zoom meeting in a month or two

Best wishes

Prof Michael Jefford
MBBS, MPH, MHlthServMt Monash, PhD, GCertUniTeach Melb, GAICD, FRACP

• The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York offers a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Psycho-Oncology to begin July/August 2020. 

  REQUIREMENTS: A doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology or allied field.

  PROGRAM OVERVIEW:   The fellow would train under licensed health psychologist and founding director of The Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) Program and work within a compassionate and hardworking team towards learning the skills for developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally-responsive cancer wellness services tailored to a diverse and underserved population. 

  The training emphasis of this fellowship is 50% research/program coordination, 30% mentoring others, and 20% clinical. 

  The Fellow would be involved in all aspects of this community-based Cancer Wellness Program including:

• ·          Coordination, development, and clinical delivery of BOLD programming and services
• ·          Screening, supervision and training of interns and consultants
• ·          Research implementation including IRB reporting, coordinating data recruitment, data entry, and intervention activity, and
• ·          Grant, conference, and publication preparation
• ·          Fundraising activity
• ·          Attending Einstein/Montefiore presentations and trainings for professional development

To apply for this position, please EMAIL your CV with a cover letter to:

[email protected] 

Learn More about BOLD here: 

YouTube:  https://tinyurl.com/BOLDpgmVideo

www.einsteinmed.org/cancercenter/support

Register quickly, spaces are limited!

Date and time: Thursday, June 18, 2020 4 to 5:30 p.m. ET (LIVE)

Discuss the experience in different countries of cancer patients, families, and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outline challenges, opportunities, and strategies to optimize care on the level of public policy, research, clinical care, and training. Define needs for collaboration in these areas, with the potential creation of eventual working groups.

Methods: We have the pleasure of having an invited speaker, Jim Davidson, who will talk about how to maintain a resilient mindset in the face of adversity, resilient teamwork, and resilient leadership. The Q&A period will be followed by a panel discussion initiated by senior IPOS members Dr. Jane Turner, Dr. David Kissane, Dr. Gary Rodin, and Dr. Chioma Asuzu.

Invited Speaker: 

Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2g6hk3OU-M

Jim Davidson is a resilience expert, an expedition leader, and a New York Times best-selling author. From his 36 years of adventure and survival, Jim distills compelling stories and uplifting lessons about how to overcome change, challenge and uncertainty through resilience.

He shares motivating keynotes and workshops on personal resilience, resilient teamwork and resilient leadership. Jim has scaled high peaks from Argentina to Nepal, from Bolivia to Tibet. The US National Park Service has commended Jim twice for volunteering for successful high-altitude rescues in Colorado and Alaska.

While first attempting to ascend Mt. Everest in 2015, Jim and his partners survived massive earthquakes and avalanches. He shared his incredible experiences and insights with CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Smithsonian Channel, PBS and more. Jim told his story of surviving the earthquake in the National Geographic TV Show “Witness to Disaster”. In 2017, Jim returned to Mount Everest and summited successfully. For 20 years. Jim worked as a hydrogeologist (B.S. & M.S. degrees) and ran his own environmental consulting firm. Earlier he worked as an industrial painter on high-voltage electrical towers carrying 230,000 volts.

Jim co-authored the New York Times best-selling survival memoir, "The Ledge: An Inspirational Story of Friendship and Survival". The Ledge won the National Outdoor Book Award for Outdoor Literature, and was picked one of the Best Books of the Year by Amazon. His epic survival story was featured in an international TV episode of "I Shouldn't Be Alive" on the Discovery Channel.

Panel discussants: Dr. Jane Turner, Dr. David Kissane, Dr. Gary Rodin, Dr. Chioma Asuzu

Chair: Dr. Melissa Henry

Registration - individual advance registration required:

• Free to current IPOS members
• *$15 USD for non-members

Register online by going to https://ipos-society.org/event-3861107

* Not a member of IPOS? Find out more by going to https://ipos-society.org/membership/apply

Did you submit an abstract to the 22^nd Annual IPOS World Congress and was ACCEPTED? If yes, we have some important dates and options now that the congress has been postponed to 2021.

YES OR NO TO KEEPING YOUR APPROVED ABSTRACT FOR THE NEW 2021 DATES?

You need to confirm by no later than August 1, 2020 if you wish to keep your abstract(s) in place or withdraw. Please email [email protected] with your abstract number(s) with a YES or NO option for each.

WANT TO UPDATE YOUR APPROVED ABSTRACT & KEEP AS THE SAME PRESENTATION TYPE?

If you want to update your abstract content, you must update by no later than December 1, 2020. Updating will be available on the same form when your abstract was submitted. Please note your abstract will still be deemed accepted and will not undergo another evaluation process after updated.

WANT TO UPDATE YOUR APPROVED ABSTRACT BUT HAVE CONSIDERED FOR A DIFFERENT PRESENTATION TYPE?

You need to email [email protected] with your abstract(s) numbers to WITHDRAW from the 22^nd Annual World Congress. From there, you can RESUBMIT an updated abstract on or before December 1, 2020 with your desired presentation type. Please note that your updated abstract will go through a FULL evaluation process with acceptance not guaranteed.

WANT TO SUBMIT NEW ABSTRACTS?

With the postponement of the Congress comes the ability to submit new abstracts of all types. Details on when and how to submit will be made available shortly. The submission deadline will be December 1, 2020.

WHAT ARE THE NEW CONGRESS DATES?

·       Wednesday 26th May 2021: IPOS Academy Workshops

·       Thursday 27th May 2021: IPOS 2021 Day 1

·       Friday 28th May 2021: IPOS 2021 Day 2

·       Saturday 29th May 2021: IPOS 2021 Day 3

The venue for the revised dates remains the same – International Conference Center, Kyoto.

If you have any questions or comments, please direct to [email protected]