Survival rates for childhood cancer in developed countries have steadily improved over the last few decades from 58% in the mid-1970s to over 80% today. Despite the tremendous progress in treating pediatric malignancies, 20% of children with cancer will still die from their disease. This presentation provides an overview of symptoms and suffering in children with advanced cancer and provides practical suggestions on how to improve communication about palliative and end-of-life care topics. Through a case example and group discussion, we hope to identify strategies to optimize team communication and improve the care we provide to children with advanced cancer in the satellite setting.
Presentation Slides
Speakers
Alisha Kassam, MD, MPH, FRCPC,
Staff Pediatric Oncologist and Staff Palliative Medicine,
Southlake Regional Health Centre, Associate Staff, Division of Haematology/Oncology,
The Hospital for Sick Children
Assistant Professor,
Department of Pediatrics,
University of Toronto
Dr. Alisha Kassam received her medical degree at the University of Ottawa. She completed both her pediatric residency training and hematology/oncology fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She went on to complete a palliative medicine fellowship at The University Health Network and completed her Master of Public Health at Harvard University. Dr. Kassam was appointed as staff Paediatric Oncologist and Palliative Medicine Consultant at Southlake Regional Health Centre and Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto in 2013. She has led and co-authored a number of research studies and guidelines focused on improving the quality of palliative care delivered to children and young adults with advanced cancer.
Adam Rapoport, MD, FRCP(C), MHSc,
Medical Director,
Paediatric Advanced Care Team,
The Hospital for Sick Children
Medical Director,
Emily’s House Children’s Hospice
Associate Professor,
Paediatrics and Family & Community Medicine,
University of Toronto