Jodi Bachand
I attended the UVM Medical Center Women’s Health and Cancer Conference held on September 18, 2026. The theme was Voices in Oncology and the central message was that effective cancer care must address both the disease and the person living with it. I learned that Advances in personalized treatment and evidence-based medicine are important, but so are emotional support, family communication, informed decision-making, and long-term quality of life.
The conference connected scientific progress with the real experiences of patients, survivors, caregivers, and clinicians, reinforcing a whole -person approach to cancer care.
The seminar was amazing! Although there was nothing specifically on GIST, I was able to put brochures and wristbands on the American Cancer Society (ACS) table to help raise awareness. I highly recommend watching ‘How Are You, Really?‘, I think many of our GIST patients will find some level of understanding and connection in this session.
