• Exact Sciences
• Regeneron
• VIST Thompkins Bank
• Merck
• Jefferson Health
• Fox Chase Cancer Center
• Seed Integrative Health
• Penn Medicine 

What does your body, tumor type and genetic makeup tell the healthcare and how does this information influence treatment decisions?  Basser Center for BRCA is the first comprehensive center for the research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA-related cancers. These hereditary mutations affect both men and women and can be passed down from either parent. BRCA mutations can increase lifetime risk for cancers including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and melanoma. The Basser Center can help you learn more about hereditary cancer risk.

Jackie Cappadocia is a cancer genetic counselor working as a part of the MacDonald Cancer Risk Evaluation Center and Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine. Jackie is originally from Toronto, Canada, but has lived in the Philadelphia area since 2013. Jackie graduated from Villanova University in 2017 with her Bachelor of Science degree. Jackie then attended graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her master’s degree in Genetic Counseling. Jackie was the 2020 recipient of the Marie Barr Genetic Counseling.

Effective communication is key to the treatment planning process.  Dr. Jennifer Eads and Morgan Rakay will share strategies to encourage an open and productive dialogue among patients and healthcare team.  Including, what information needs to be communicated?  Especially in circumstances of rare cancers or rare subtypes.  Who should be included in treatment decisions? How to ask for a second opinion and when are second opinions necessary? Why should patients communicate treatment and lifestyle priorities with the healthcare team?  And so much more.

Dr. Jennifer Eads is an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Cancer Center where she is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist focusing on the treatment of and research in patients with gastroesophageal cancers and neuroendocrine tumors. She is the Physician Lead for GI Clinical Research, overseeing the Penn GI clinical research portfolio. She is the Penn institutional principal investigator for the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG-ACRIN) and was recently appointed as Director of the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) for the Abramson Cancer Center.

Morgan Rakay is a licensed professional counselor and board-certified dance/movement therapist whose work focuses on family caregivers and individuals with chronic, progressive, and advanced illness, chronic pain, traumatic injury, end-of-life transitions and grief. Morgan is an alumna of Drexel University, where she has also served as adjunct faculty, graduate clinical supervisor, and researcher. Morgan was previously adjunct faculty with Jefferson University and continues to provide education on end of life care, advanced care planning, and values-based medical decision making to hospital resident programs and community organizations across the Greater Philadelphia area. Morgan is additionally an advance care planning specialist with a focus in values-based and collaborative care.

There has been a growing number of Americans taking an interest in natural and alternative forms of medicine. This certainly includes individuals looking to help manage a diagnosis of cancer. As more evidence-based research on these practices emerge, people are inclined to try new herbs, nutraceuticals and energy practices, like acupuncture. Without proper guidance, these recommendations can be too general and may not be making a difference in one’s health outcomes. It can feel overwhelming and can certainly be costly. So, what can you do?

This presentation focuses on how integrative oncology can support a pre-existing treatment plan. Integrative oncology is a holistic approach that merges diet, therapy, exercise, supplements, stress reduction and mind-body practices. The reason why is simple. You are more than just your diagnosis. By the end of this presentation, you should learn how to approach supplements, helpful ways to manage common side effects from treatment and easy ways to reduce stress.

Dr. Rachelle Jean-Paul, ND, L.Ac. is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist. Her practice, Seed Integrative Medicine, is proud to be serving the Philadelphia community. She is a strong advocate for integrative medicine and uses a variety of tools to help her clients reach their health goals. She is well-versed in herbalism, diet therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is devoted to improving women’s health, chronic disease and pain management.

Dr. von Mehren is the Physican Director for the Clinical Trials Office and the Associate Director for Clinical Research at Fox Chase Cancer Center.  Her specialties include GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors), Melanomas, Sarcomas, Skin Cancers and Uterine Sarcomas.  She is committed to developing new therapies for patients with sarcomas.  The strides made in improving cancer care have come from research and clinical trials. Dr. von Mehren aims to have research studies available as treatment options for her patients with sarcomas.