COVID-19

Dr. Allison Kurian, medical oncologist at Stanford University, and Dr. Matt Yurgelun, a G.I. oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, address concerns over COVID-19 vaccines for people with inherited mutations.

Be sure to discuss your medical concerns with your health care team.

This review reports on recommendations from two major medical expert panels about COVID vaccine for people with cancer. In January 2021, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released new vaccine guidelines.

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Yoga and mindfulness for calm, connection and compassion during COVID-19

by yoga educator and life coach, Ilana Beigel, MA, CCC-SLP, RYT, associated with the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts.

Ilana Beigel shared tools to practice, cultivate and embody the qualities of calm, connection and compassion during this uncertain time. Learn how to incorporate simple techniques into your daily life to relieve stress, promote harmony and inspire transformation. She will share simple practices you can do while sitting in a chair. This webinar is 36 minutes.

Read Ilana Beigel’s Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, stop and take a breath blog and learn about online resources for yoga and meditation.

Latest COVID-19 news about legal changes affecting your employment, insurance, finances, and more

This webinar provided up-to-the-minute information on May 14, 2020 about changes to health insurance and employment, including new options for paid sick leave, paid family leave, and unemployment benefits. We also covered recent changes and new rules that may impact an individual’s financial situation, including access to life insurance, cash assistance, student loans, mortgages, evictions, utilities, and more. State approaches to the electronic creation and execution of estate planning documents was also discussed.

Information about the COVID-19 pandemic for people diagnosed with, or at high risk for, ovarian/endometrial cancer

by Barbara Norquist, MD, gynecologic oncologist affiliated with the University of Washington and FORCE’s scientific advisory board member.

She answered questions and concerns of people who have been diagnosed with, or those at high risk for, ovarian or endometrial cancers, including concerns about canceled doctor appointments, screenings and treatment and how healthcare professionals are responding to this changing situation in order to protect patients. 

Information about the COVID-19 pandemic for people with, or at high risk for, gastrointestinal/colorectal cancer

by Matt Yurgelun, MD, gastrointestinal medical oncologist and Director of the Lynch Syndrome Center from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute affiliated with both the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center and the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program. He is, also, a FORCE scientific advisory board member.

Dr. Yurgelun answered questions and concerns of people who have been diagnosed with, or those at high risk for, gastrointestinal cancers, including concerns about canceled doctor appointments, screenings and treatment and how healthcare professionals are responding to this changing situation in order to protect patients.

FORCE has partnered with UF Health Cancer Center and the North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative for this webinar.

COVID-19: What People with Cancer Need to Know

by Merry Jennifer Markham, MD, FACP, gynecologic-oncologist from University of Florida Health

Dr. Markham discussed how patients can navigate their cancer care during the COVID19 pandemic. This presentation is appropriate for patients and providers. Up to 1 unit of CE will be offered by Suwannee River Area Health Education Center, Inc.

Read Dr. Markham's blog, Coronavirus and COVID-19: What People With Cancer Need to Know, which is reviewed and updated daily.

How the COVID-19 pandemic affects breast cancer diagnosis and surgery

by Deanna Attai, MD, breast surgeon from UCLA and FORCE’s scientific advisory board member.

A second helping of stress:
Coping with hereditary cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

by Karen Hurley, PhD, psychologist from Cleveland Clinic and FORCE’s scientific advisory board member.

Dr. Hurley presented on how to feel more empowered when stresses, both rare and worldwide, combine.