Behind the Scenes — June 2019

From the Telehealth Director

Dear UNC Cancer Network Community Members,

A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune of participating in a research study form the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health regarding the viability of using drones to deliver AEDs for heart attack victims. For the study, I was paired with another volunteer, also from UNC. I was assigned to call a phone number and request a drone-delivered AED, while at the same time, my colleague went to search for an AED (which he would tag, but not actually retrieve).

Best wishes to all, Tim.

The UNC Cancer Network Volunteers at the UNC Community Garden

by Mary E. King

Volunteering has immense benefits. When you volunteer, you learn new skills, you meet new people and you make a tremendous impact on the community.

On May 14th, the Telehealth group was one of several groups who participated in the Plant a Tomato, Give a Garden at the Carolina Campus Community Garden. The volunteers transferred young tomato plants from small pots to larger pots, added new soil, watered the newly potted plants, and enjoyed delicious tomato sandwiches.

The volunteers were afforded a tour of the beautiful, well-kept and flourishing garden. There were immaculate rows of kale, collards, lettuce, squash, onions, cilantro, beets, garlic, strawberries, tomatoes, peas, Swiss chard, carrots, and other vegetables.

“Our Telehealth team is dedicated to committing to group volunteer opportunities as much as possible,” said Veneranda Obure, IT Tech Support, AV. “This opportunity has allowed us to network and give back to our UNC community. Being able to use our Community Service Leave (CSL) to help others is a win-win for everyone,” said Jon Powell, Continuing Education Specialist for the UNC Cancer Network.

The tomato plants were given to housekeeping staff to assist them in growing their own fresh vegetables.

Upcoming Live Events

Katharine Harrell, NP-C

Helping Patients with Breast Cancer
https://unclineberger.org/unclcn/professional-education/calendars/telehealth-lectures/”

This lecture touches on various topics important in helping breast cancer patients. We’ll discuss early detection, risk factors, diagnoses, treatment, and survivorship as well as breast cancer treatment modalities, including hormone inhibitors. Some patients will might want information about plastic surgery (breast reconstruction), and tips on using cryotherapy for prevention of peripheral neuropathy.

Lisa Carey, MD

Decision-Making in Metastatic Breast Cancer
https://unclineberger.org/unclcn/professional-education/calendars/telehealth-lectures/”

Of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, approximately 20% will develop metastatic disease. Metastatic disease is incurable, but increasingly controllable with modern therapies

Recent Additions to the Learning Portal

Zev Nakamura, MD

Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: More Than a Side Effect of Chemotherapy
https://learn.unccn.org/online-course-catalog/rn-and-allied-health-courses/”

Cancer can impair a patient’s ability to think and to remember. While this condition is often called ‘chemo-brain,’ cognitive impairment stemming from how cancer affects patients who might not have had either chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Dr. Nakamura will review our latest understandings of this condition.

Yuliya Pylayeva-Gupta, PhD

Immunological Mechanisms in Pancreatic Cancer
https://learn.unccn.org/online-course-catalog/medical-and-surgical-oncology-courses/”

This lecture will review the current understanding of the role of immune system in pancreatic cancer and provide insight into development of the latest immune-based therapies aimed at treating patients with pancreatic cancer.