1. Survivorship Forum
1 December 2010

2. Psycho-oncology
Psycho-oncology support is world recognised as a key element to improve cancer survival
New Zealand is way behind and under resourced compared to the rest of the world in psycho oncology for the treatment of cancer patients
Psycho-oncology support is world recognised as a key element to improve cancer survival
there is solid evidence that this disease is affected by emotional distress
New Zealand recognises psycho-oncology as imperative but it is not currently accommodated by the NZ Medical System.
there is limited access to psycho oncology support in New Zealand at present
Psycho-oncology It is concerned with aspects of cancer that go beyond medical treatment and include psychological and psychosocial aspects of cancer concerned with the psychological, social, behavioral, and ethical aspects of cancer
psychological responses of patients to cancer at all stages of the disease, and that of their families and caretakers;
psychological, behavioral and social factors that may influence the disease process.
Psycho-oncology is an area of multi-disciplinary interest and has boundaries with the major specialities in oncology: the clinical disciplines (surgery, medicine, pediatrics, radiotherapy), epidemiology, immunology, endocrinology, biology, pathology, bioethics, palliative care, rehabilitation medicine, clinical trials research and decision making, as well as psychiatry and psychology.
the oncology departments at NZ hospitals have been trying to find funds to employ a psycho oncologist and most are still trying
New South Wales state has a budget of 100,000 million towards psycho oncology
in New South Wales, a state about the same size as New Zealand, they have replaced seven or eight linear accelerators in the past two years and actively introduced the appropriate training which has led to the establishment of seven psycho oncology units.
PONZ The Psycho-oncology Interest Group of Aotearoa/New Zealand's mission is to develop a national multi-disciplinary focus for the support, promotion and advancement of psychosocial oncological developments amongst the range of health professionals working within, or supporting, oncology and palliative care services in New Zealand.

3. Healing Psyche Elysrick,1991
Survival Times (1000 patients with life expectancy 12mths)
Elysrick,1991

4. Depression/ Lower mood disorder in cancer
External and trauma based
Marked by ongoing feelings of
Sadness
Despair
Loss of energy (fatigue)
Difficulty dealing with normal daily life
30% of cancer patients
Most likely occurs in the FIRST YEAR of treatment

5. Post Treatment Issues Clients : Undergone months of treatment
Treatment: make you feel better ?
Physical and mental trauma/loss of confidence
Relationship issues – support issues while in treatment
Fatigue: sleep deprivation
Body image (surgery and weight gain)
Unable to do things that were once easy
Lowered mood
Fear of re-occurrence
“Getting back to normal”

7. Advantages of “Survive to Thrive
New Zealand based model that is robust and provides effective results- anxiety levels for clients dropped from 65-70% to around 15-20% on completion of the Survive to Thrive workshop.
Health Scale
Results are MEASURABLE
Goals for clients:
Improved resiliency
Increased knowledge of wellbeing and holistic health
Reduction in anxiety
Improved quality of life as defined by the Health Scale

8. THE HEALTH SCALE
QE Health Scale © The following questions were developed from statements of people with ongoing physical health concerns. The degree of importance for each question varies between individuals. Therefore, there is no right or wrong answer. Please read each question and circle the number to each question that is closest to how often in the past week you have done or thought any of the
1. Have fun, lots of laughter, and sharing with those around you
2. Find you could understand what was happening to yourself and others because you felt you belonged to and were a part of nature, people and life in general
And other 26 questions- self report- all QoL and Meaning

9. ABOUT THE WORKSHOP Held at retreat ( an old homestead)
Access to a Labyrinth
All clients must have conducted a Health Scale before being accepted onto the “Survive to Thrive “workshop

10. Survive to Thrive workshop
Run over 8 hours. Each 2 hour block happens from 9:45 until 1pm.
Two days in one week then a weeks break and then two days. Usually Mon/Tues
Workshop 1 :What does wellbeing look like ? (mainly education)
Workshop 2 : Applying the HCTP to yourself
WEEK’S BREAK (applying lesson’s learnt to your life)
Workshop 3 : Being part of the Whole: Walking the talk –communication skills- awareness of intent.
Workshop 4: Forming community : The practicalities of promoting integration, participation and holistic health

11. Staff
1 fully trained Health Facilitator/CEO- also finishing a psychology degree.
3 trainees-including an Art Therapist
Supervised by Dr Keiren Faull (Reg. with NZ Psychology Board)
1 trainee is of Maori descent.
4 volunteers- two of whom are university graduates
Oncologist on Board – Dr Marion Kuper-Hommel

12. Transformational Results
Sarina : 38yrs old just finished treatment for BC
Pre “‘Survive to Thrive” to Post “Survive to Thrive”
“ Best thing I could possibly have done for myself”
Livia : 54yrs old just finished treatment for BC
Pre ”Survive to thrive” to Post : “Survive to Thrive”
“Changed my life completely – redesigned it”
Long term results : Rebecca – did ” Survive to Thrive” over 18mths ago- developed new business skills then bought a company which is now thriving.