IPOS News

I am Zeynep Kotan. I have been working as a psychiatrist since 2009. I worked as a psychiatrist in Ankara Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital between 2012-2019. We established a psychooncology department there where we introduced consultation liason service to Palliative Care, Medical Oncology, Hematology, Surgery and other medical departments. We conducted group therapies for breast cancer patients. I got my associate professor degree in 2007. I was assigned in the secretary and organization comittee of several psycooncology symposiums. I had a chance to work in Consultation Liason Deparment of Ankara University Psychiatry Unit where I had the opportunity to work with psychiatric issues related with diverse medical conditions including cancer. I have been working as a psychiatrist in my private office since 2020. I and my colleagues established Ankara Psychooncology Association in October 2022. We have done several educational activities towards professionals involved in oncology and towards cancer patients and their relatives. We have recently been involved psychooncology issues in disasters after the February 2023 earthquake disaster in Turkey. I am also a psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist and interested in psychoanalytic issues in cancer patients. I am glad to be a part of IPOS. It is a big chance to have the opportunity to learn from colleagues interested in psychooncology from all around the world.

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Irfan is a dedicated psycho-oncologist and a global health specialist, currently lending his expertise to Cancerless EU as an Advisor for Strategic Policy and Diplomatic Communication. With over a decade of experience in the field of psycho-oncology, he stands at the forefront of both practice and research. His work, recognized for its significance, has been featured in some of the world's most esteemed journals, including The Lancet.

Irfan's career is driven by a profound commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients and their families, particularly in the context of global health. He believes that the intersection of psycho-oncology and global health policy can bring about meaningful change and greater awareness of the psychological aspects of the cancer journey. With a relentless passion for his work and a vision for a world where mental health is an integral part of cancer care, Irfan continues to make a remarkable impact on the field.  

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Dear Healthcare Providers, Policy Makers, and Administrators:

We are writing to invite you to participate in an important research study exploring the attitudes and beliefs towards Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies (PAT) among healthcare providers, policy makers, and people living with cancer.

The study aims to examine current trends in attitudes towards PAT and how it might be integrated into existing treatments and research settings for psychosocial symptoms within cancer care in Canada.

Participation in the study would involve completing an online survey, which should take approximately 20 minutes of your time. We are also inviting, those that are interested, to take part in a follow-up interview, which will provide an opportunity to discuss in more detail your experiences and attitudes towards PAT.

All information collected during the study will be kept strictly confidential and no identifying information will be shared.

Your participation in this study would contribute greatly to our understanding of how PAT might be integrated into cancer care settings and could ultimately benefit patients and healthcare providers in the future.

Here are the essential resources for the study:

The survey link for participation: https://redcap.link/PATCANSURVEY

Our dedicated study website for further information: https://www.psychedelictherapiesforcancer.com/

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the study coordinator, Haley Mather at:

P: 403-923-1964
E: haley.mather@ucalgary.ca

Thank you for considering our request.

Sincerely,

Haley Mather

Principal Investigator: Dr. Linda Ellen Carlson

Please note the above was submitted to the IPOS Research Committee via the "RESEARCH STUDY PEER REVIEW" process. For more information, please go to https://ipos-society.org/Peer-Review

I am working as a Psycho-Oncologist in Tata Memorial hospital Mumbai India, for 16 years. My special interest is in Geriatric patients and their caregivers. I am a part of Geriatric Oncology in Tata Memorial Hospital. I would like to work on IPOS platform for geriatrics. I have done my one project work on psychological issues of Indian older adult with cancer and my upcoming project is for caregivers of older adult with cancer in India. I would be very happy if I will get an opportunity to grow more in this field.

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I completed my PhD in clinical psychology with a particular emphasis on psycho-oncology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), achieving excellent results. I hold the position of senior lecturer, researcher, and Clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychology, UNN. Currently, I am undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany, where my research is focused on Physical Activity, Prevention, and Cancer, with specific emphasis on the psycho-social predictors and mediators of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cancer patients and survivors. I have extensive experience in designing research studies and publishing their findings in international peer-reviewed journals, particularly on the psychological aspects of cancer. Collaborating with fellow researchers, especially in cancer research, holds great significance for me. Additionally, I am an active member of the psycho-oncology society and was pleased to attend the 2023 IPOS conference in Milan, which centered around my area of expertise. The pursuit of enhancing the quality of life among cancer patients and survivors, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Nigeria, is a cause that deeply resonates with me. Furthermore, I am a licensed clinical psychologist under the auspices of the Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) and hold affiliations with other national and international associations of psychologists.

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I am a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Neuro-Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, USA since 2009, and am board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology since 2012. I work with a team of other neuropsychologists, trainees, neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, and allied professions performing cognitive evaluations incorporating assessment of mood and quality of life. I also perform language mapping utilizing fMRI, and assist in intraoperative speech mapping. Like psycho-oncology, neuropsychology is a multidisciplinary area which shares overlapping interests with other clinical disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, and other allied fields. However, as a field there are relatively few neuropsychologists who specialize in oncology worldwide. I have a special interest in the reciprocal interaction of cognition, mood, and quality of life in cancer patients. While I am primarily a clinician with occasional participation in collaborative research, this past IPOS 2023 in Milan I presented my first IPOS poster which I completed with our Fellow Dr. Eschler, titled Understanding the prevalence and course of pre- and post-operative depression in brain tumor (BT) patients utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI). I am looking ahead and if successful hope to present a follow up poster at IPOS Maastricht 2024.  Something fun: In my spare time I love to grow grapes in my backyard and take wine classes. I hold a WSET Level II certification in wine. My husband and I are also avid MotoGP fans, which is not so common in the United States. We enjoy travelling to different wine regions and to MotoGP races.

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Convert to your time zone here (https://shorturl.at/fmpzE)

Duration: 60 minutes

Webinar Link: ZOOM Link (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84879941908)

Speakers

Dr. Sophie Lebel University of Ottawa, Canada

Dr. Jose Custers Radboud University Medical Centre, Netherlands

Moderator

Lauren Rudy University of New Brunswick, Canada

Register Now

The FORwards Webinar Series aims to bring together the international community of researchers and clinicians interested in fear of cancer recurrence and progression, to provide cutting-edge updates on brand-spanking new research, and to spark conversations and collaborative projects across the globe.

This webinar will be of interest to both clinicians and researchers who want to better understand and manage FCR and FoP in people living with cancer and their loved ones.

Attendance is free, but registration is required

This webinar is sponsored by the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) special interest group on fear of cancer recurrence (FORwards)

I’m Medical Doctor with Master in Global health Humanitarian Medicine and DTM & H graduated 2023 in London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Master in General Surgery from University of Rwanda. In 2022 to 2023 I have attended IPOS ECHO Training (IPOS Pan-African Capacity-Building in Psycho-Oncology, with extensive experience in public health, Palliative care, Psycho-oncology, Surgical Oncology care and clinical medicine, General Surgery, Tropical Medicine. I have worked in different public health projects that involve: communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Reproductive, SGBV & SV, Maternal, New-born and Child health (RMNCH); Nutrition, epidemic Emergency response. Also, well experienced in projects of Non-Communicable Diseases of public health significance and as well as Health System Strengthening.

I have worked with different NGO’s such as: USAID, Global Fund, GLOBAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS (GYMHA) as an MSF-OCA; gaining experience on every donor requirements as far as project deliverables is concerned. Moreover, I have worked in partnership with various local and global institutions, as Medical Activity Manager, Team leader, Founder development operation manager, Fundraisers. I’m always interested in helping the people who need the highest support and Psycho-social support in a different context of Humanitarian.

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Exciting news! The  Cancer Coaching Professional Certificate (online) offered by York University is Now Open for Registrations. Register before December 31st & get 10% off on program fee. PROMO CODE: IPOS10% .

This full online certificate is developed for national and international health professionals, who want to help clients effectively self-manage care, across phases in the cancer continuum. Develop skills as a cancer coach to engage and motivate cancer populations to improve disease outcomes and health recovery.  

Program highlights:

• The program includes online live simulation practice with patient actors
• The certificate is led by Dr. Doris Howell, Emeritus Scientist from the world renowned Princess Margaret Research Institute in Canada

• This program is offered by the Health Leadership & Learning Network at York University in Canada (YorkU is a leading international teaching and research university, as recognized by World University Rankings)

• This Continuing Education program is approved by the international organization -National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching ( NBHWC) for 47hrs continuing education units.

To learn more contact us at hlln@yorku.ca  or visit our website : https://hlln.info.yorku.ca/cancer-coaching-summer-institute/

#hllnyorku

Interested in Advertising with IPOS? Find out more by going to https://ipos-society.org/ads

I have worked as a training administrator at the Uganda Cancer institute and the Fred Hutchinson research centre mostly facilitating peer mentorship for clinician scientists in Oncology. I have profound professional experience in Occupational therapy in Paediatric neurology, community-based rehabilitation and Mental health. I have established Occupational therapy services in physical and mental health settings. I established the first ever village day care centres of children with disabilities in rural Uganda.

Since September 2016, I have worked on  the Paediatric  Heamatology –Oncology program at Makerere College of health sciences, a program aimed at training Paediatricians to be able to manage childhood cancers, blood diseases and disorders implemented in collaboration with Global Hope and Baylor Texas children’s hospital.

I completed my doctoral studies at Mbarara University of science and technology in May this year where my topic of research was “The Role of Intra-psychic Factors and Coping Skills on the Psychological Well-being and Caregiving Satisfaction of Cancer Caregivers at the Uganda Cancer Institute and its Mbarara Regional Cancer”.

I am passionate about psycho-oncology and is working hard to establish the first ever psycho-oncology service in Uganda. I co-founded Tumaini child cancer support foundation, a local charity that supports the psycho-social needs of children with cancer and their caregivers. My research interests are in cancer caregiving.

I am an extrovert, I like meeting people, working with people and making people around me warm and happy.

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