Intimacy Seminar Outstanding Success

Y-ME of Illinois held it’s first seminar dealing with intimacy and infertility after breast cancer at Northwestern Hospital on February 21, 2004. The seminar was very well attended by breast cancer survivors, their significant others, and professionals dealing with the disease. “We have needed a conference on this topic for a long time,” exclaimed one survivor. “I wish it was longer!” was a common response among seminar attendees.

The seminar, “Rebuilding your Dreams: Dealing with Intimacy and Infertility after Breast Cancer” was the brainchild of Sharon Rose Miller, a young breast cancer survivor, and the moderator of the Y-ME’s Young Women’s Support Group (YWSG is held on the second Wednesday of every month.) “I got the idea for the seminar last fall after realizing what a common topic intimacy was in our support group. I realized intimacy was a challenge for all breast cancer survivors and felt we would all benefit from specific tools and information on how to deal with the changes that occur with this disease. No matter what your circumstances with breast cancer are, this disease affects your intimacy and self-esteem on many levels. The topic is frequently ignored by our doctors because they often feel they are doing their job just because we are alive!”

“We are planning on making this topic an annual seminar due to the community response,” states Ruth Brody, executive director of Y-ME of Illinois. “We also plan on rolling this program out on a national level.” The conference was co-sponsored by Northwestern Hospital, Gilda’s Club, and moderated by Sharon Miller, RN. Dr. Linda Holt, MD, oncologist and breast cancer survivor spoke on the medical issues relating to permanent/temporary infertility and intimacy. Dr. Sue Lafferty, life coach and PhD, addressed how these same issues affect the woman, her partner, and their relationship.

The seminar also featured four women sharing their personal stories and tips on how they dealt with the challenges of intimacy during cancer. The seminar concluded with the six- person panel answering questions from the attendees. One attendee confided, “I am so glad I came. The information I learned today will be invaluable in helping me with my happy, fifteen -year marriage, and I do not even have cancer.”

© 2004    Sharon Rose Miller