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Dr. Jim Drake: The Role of Medical Robotics in Pediatric Surgery
Currently, medical robotics plays a significant role in the surgical treatment of certain diseases such as prostate and abdominal cancers. Over the next ten years, robotics will play an increasing role in every aspect of surgery, significantly impacting the field of pediatric oncology.
Dr. James Drake explains that, in certain instances, using robotics produces better results that are often faster and safer than traditional surgical procedures. He envisions that in the next ten years we will see semi-autonomous robots assisting with complicated surgeries, accessing areas that surgeons have difficulty reaching. With a vast pool of talent and expertise, Canada is poised to lead the way, but the field of medical robotics needs everyone’s advocacy and support to achieve its exciting and ambitious goals.
James Drake is the Head of Neurosurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children and Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He spoke at the 2013 POGO Multi-Disciplinary Symposium on Childhood Cancer.
Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s new series of video shorts featuring the insights of experts whose leading-edge work impacts the care, treatment and quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.
Life After Childhood Cancer – A Conference for Survivors
From setting life goals and dealing with the long-term health effects of treatment, to telling a new love interest about their experience with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer may struggle with many issues.
From October 16 – 18, 2015, POGO and Camp Oochigeas will present Life After Childhood Cancer, the third POGO survivor conference to address key issues survivors themselves have identified as being important to their health and well-being.
Matthew is a proud high school graduate, a college grad and a survivor. He has ongoing physical and cognitive challenges brought on by his disease and its treatment. He has difficulty with fine motor coordination, and a hard time listening and translating that information on paper. But he is driven to succeed and perseveres. Instead of taking notes by hand, he uses a laptop. If he doesn’t understand something, Matthew has no problem asking for help or researching until he figures it out. Matthew will attend the survivor conference for the first time this year.
“I’m looking forward to the survivor conference,” says Matthew. “I’m curious to hear from other survivors about their experiences and to share mine.”
In past years survivors of all ages have attended the conference and say it has helped them to better answer questions from others who have not experienced cancer.
“The conference aims to address educational and information needs in the context of social and recreational interaction – a combination we have found addresses survivors’ needs in a unique fashion, directly applicable to their daily life,” says Dr. Mark Greenberg, Senior Adviser, Policy & Clinical Affairs at POGO.
Practical approaches to their issues, like fertility and the disease’s impact on their families, are presented by leading experts, and also by other survivors. Survivors leave the conference knowing what questions to ask of their family doctor, who may never see another survivor in their practice.
“I’m happy that some sessions are run by other cancer survivors because it’s good to know I’m not the only one going through this,” says a past conference participant.
As for Matthew, his list of questions is building.
“I’m very interested to see what I can learn that will help me in the future,” he says.
While no one wants to think about cancer after they have beaten it, the thought of attending Life After Childhood Cancer would be one that is not wasted.
Get details about the 2015 Ooch/POGO Survivor Conference.
Raising Fun and Raising Funds for POGO
Looking to complete a personal challenge while supporting POGO? POGO has joined Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s Charity Challenge. All runners/walkers are welcome. Join our team! As a member of the team, you will receive free race entry, a limited edition POGO technical hat, support from the fundraising team to help you reach your goal and an invite to a special post-race celebration.
Commit to raising a minimum of $200 and join Team POGO today! Contact fundraising@pogo.ca for more information.
Members of Team POGO are already started on their fundraising, doing fun and innovative activities to help reach their goals. Think outside the box and find creative ways to encourage friends and family to support your efforts. Check out some examples from our community fundraisers below:
- James held a fight night viewing party at his house. He provided food and refreshments and his friends donated to watch their favourite sporting event.
- Amanda reached out to a local race and ran a canteen on race day. By asking local vendors to donate food, she was able to raise over $400 by giving away muffins, coffee and treats for a donation.
- Michelle organized a canoe trip of 20+ people to Toronto Island and back. This sunset trip was an experience of a lifetime for many, with proceeds benefitting childhood cancer care in Ontario.
- Cindy gathered with friends to busk in the city. Sharing their musical talent, they were able to raise over $200 for POGO in one day.
- Sheliza booked a room at a local game café and held a games night with colleagues. This fun, team building night raised $100 for POGO.
Canadian Oncology Nursing Day
The annual Canadian Oncology Nursing Day provides an opportunity for nurses across the country to host educational sessions on new an important oncology nursing topics and to celebrate the numerous contributions nurses make to the field of oncology.
On Thursday, April 7th, 2015, POGO and SickKids co-hosted the 2nd Annual Garron Family Cancer Centre Visiting Scholar Program featuring:
Kathleen Ruccione, PhD, MPH, RN, CPON, FAAN
Nurse Researcher
Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
University of Southern California
To watch an archived video of the day’s presentations, please click here. Username & password: COND2015. Please click here to view the event program and speakers.
Dr. Anne Katz: Navigating Relationships after Childhood Cancer
Childhood cancer treatment can have a variety of side effects for patients, including sexual dysfunction, reproductive issues and sexual problems that may last for only a few months or persist for years. It can become even more difficult for the survivor when these problems begin to involve others and they need to communicate these side effects to their partners. People respond very differently and often unexpectedly when they learn someone they care about once had cancer. How much do you share, and when should you begin speaking about the experience?
Dr. Katz explains that when looking for support or advice, it might seem easy to turn to the internet but due to the complicated and often individual nature of the issues, it requires a discerning mind to sift through and find relevant information. What she recommends as helpful, is a conversation with a nurse, social worker or a counsellor who is more familiar with individual patients and has experience dealing with concerns like these.
Anne Katz, PhD, RN is a Clinical Nurse Specialist & AASECT Certified Sexuality Counsellor with Cancer Care Manitoba. She spoke at POGO’s 2013 Survivor Conference: Life after Childhood Cancer where she presented these and other ideas.
Straight Talk about Childhood Cancer is POGO’s new series of video shorts featuring the insights of experts whose leading-edge work impacts the care, treatment and quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.