The goal of this program is to teach health care professionals to treat metastatic breast cancer as a chronic disease while addressing the emotional challenges to patients and family members as well as assisting patients in choosing treatment options that are in accordance with personal values and priorities. Upon completion of this session participants should know the following:
- Understand the differences in the philosophic management of Stage IV breast cancer versus Stages 0-3 breast cancer
- Learn at least 3 ways healthcare providers can improve to make the treatment experience and end of life outcome easier for patients and families to endure
- Recognize the value of incorporating humor as a form of complementary medicine along with traditional treatment
- Understand the expectations patients have of treatment
- Recognize the value of having the patient define how she measures quality of life for herself
