Patients, Survivors and Thrivers Learn About “Integrated Approaches to Breast Cancer Care”

Expert panelists left to right: Dr. Stephenie Pisacano, Naturopathic Doctor; Dr. Allison Stopeck, Stony Brook Cancer Center; Dr. Susan Lee, PBMC/Northwell Health: Maryann Fragola, DNP, New York Cancer & Blood; Rob Stromski, Treasurer, NFBHC, and Stage IV Fund Chair; Dr. Michelle Iona, DACM, L.AC, Acupuncturist and Herbalist; Dr. Lisa Sclafani, Moderator, Retired from MSK Cancer Center; Paula Montagna, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital; and Dr. Brittney Zimmerman, PBMC/Northwell Health. Panelists absent from photo: Meredith Cammarata, LCSW, MSK Cancer Center, and Dr. Wanqing Iris Zhi , NYU Langone Health.

Riverhead – North Fork Breast Health Coalition hosted “Integrative Approaches to Breast Cancer Care” on Saturday, January 31, 8:30 AM-3 PM, at Hotel Indigo. Tailored to patients, survivors and thrivers, the morning began with breakfast and mindful meditation led by Christianne Jenson. That was followed by a panel discussion of leading medical experts and practitioners who shared their knowledge and expertize with more than 80 attendees.

Top physicians and medical professionals from MSK Sloan Kettering, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, Northwell Health Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, and Stony Brook Cancer Center individually spoke about how innovative treatments can support breast cancer patients from diagnosis through recovery, and life beyond. Natural health care practitioners discussed the benefits of including acupuncture, nutrition, naturopathy and herbs, plus meditation, yoga and reiki.

After Patty Oswald, LMT, shared tips on lymphatic drainage (a common problem among survivors), a light organic lunch was served. Then the group joined Dr. Marilyn LoPresti for a little Tai Chi. The re-energized audience listened to responses from the panel of nine experts to dozens of individual healthcare questions. The questions had been submitted by registrants in advance and on index cards that morning.

A Reiki demonstration by Janice Tverberg preceded the final panel. This time, the audience had the opportunity to pose specific questions to holistic and supportive/palliative care practitioners.

At the end of the day, NFBHC President Melanie McEvoy Zuhoski announced that the NFBHC will hold their annual Pink Pearl Gala at Sea Star Ballroom on April 17. This year, the organization is honoring Stephen “Biggie” Ammirati, owner of the Catered Fork, and Debbie Hughes, co-founder of Strength for Life.

NFBHC is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that supports local breast-cancer patients with programs such as the Helping Hand grants. The group provides free services including gentle yoga, massage therapy, reflexology and “Strength for Life” exercise to breast-cancer patients and survivors. They also have access to the Rita Duva Boutique that offers wigs, scarves, hats and prosthetics. NFBHC also funds Stage IV research through select laboratories.

For more information about the North Fork Breast Health Coalition and the services that the organization provides to breast-cancer patients and survivors who reside in the North Fork area, visit www.northforkbreasthealth.org. Ann Cotton-DeGrasse and the late Antonio DeGrasse founded the North Fork Breast Health Coalition with the help of Riverhead Rotary in 1998.