A Guide to Diagnosis and Management

An interactive session on hypersensitivity reactions. We'll explore hypersensitivity reactions, delve into their underlying mechanisms, and discuss practical approaches for diagnosis and management. This talk aims to enhance your clinical skills and improve patient outcomes by providing a comprehensive understanding of how these immune responses manifest and how to effectively address them in various healthcare settings.

This session will provide an overview of the role of genetics in treatment and care for young individuals with GI cancers. A genetic counselor will highlight key considerations for genetic testing and management of hereditary GI cancer conditions.

This will be followed by a moderated conversation with a CRC cancer survivor and individual with Lynch Syndrome about her diagnosis journey and experiences.

Lee Ecker, MS, LCGC;

Amber Brown

Interdisciplinary panel discussion emphasizing the importance of truth telling and honest, compassionate discussions around dying. Tools and strategies will be discussed to normalize this critical component of comprehensive cancer care.

Diana Barnard, MD; Lisy McIntee, LICSW; Cindy Bruzzese, MPA, MSB, HEC-C;Milton Rosa Ortiz, RN; Ellen McKay Jewett

Sharing personal lived experience with multiple myeloma from diagnosis, through treatment and ongoing care and the role of spiritual and pastoral care from patient perspective.

Cancer care increasingly recognizes that healing involves more than treating disease. Whole-person care integrates psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual support alongside medical treatment to address the complex needs of patients and families throughout the cancer continuum. Distress, loneliness, existential concerns, caregiver strain, and meaning-making often emerge during diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care. Oncology professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize and respond to these needs as part of comprehensive cancer care.

This session will explore the principles and practical application of whole-person care in oncology practice in 2026. Participants will review current standards for psychosocial distress screening, interdisciplinary collaboration, and spiritual care integration. The session will highlight evidence-based approaches that nurses, social workers, and other oncology professionals can use to identify psychosocial and spiritual needs, communicate effectively with patients and families, and connect individuals with appropriate supportive resources. Case examples and practical strategies will be shared to help clinicians integrate whole-person care into everyday oncology practice.

Jennifer Lord, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC; Sarah Kelley, LCSW