Public Lecture Will be Held on Spirituality and Cancer

NOTE: A list of sites where the lecture will be available via video conferencing follows this release.

The role of hope and spirituality in the treatment of cancer will be examined in a lecture hosted by Cancer Care Nova Scotia on Tuesday, April 7.

Titled, Spirituality and Cancer, Hope, Meaning and Keeping it Real, the lecture will be held in Halifax and available by video conference at 20 sites across the province.

It is part of the Cancer Answers lecture series, designed to provide Nova Scotians with quality cancer information. The lecture will be presented by Rev. David Maginley, chaplain, QEII Cancer Care Program.

"Hope is as much a part of cancer treatment as drugs and radiation," said Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "For many people, hope springs from their spirituality, from their faith. In this lecture, Rev. Maginley will provide insights and supports on ways that spiritual care can assist in embracing hope and easing the cancer journey."

The talk is aimed at everyone, not just those with strong religious beliefs.

"Tapping into your spirituality is about learning to listen to your inner voice and, in that respect, everyone is spiritual, said Rev. Maginley. "This talk will explore ways in which cancer accelerates that truth."

The lecture will be held between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Royal Bank Lecture Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a program of the Department of Health, was created 10 years ago to facilitate quality cancer prevention and care for all Nova Scotians. Through Cancer Patient Navigation, health professional education, and standards and guideline development, Cancer Care Nova Scotia supports health professionals in providing patients with high quality care.

Its work with other organizations raises awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer risk, and its screening programs educate Nova Scotians about healthy lifestyles and available testing like Pap tests for cervical cancer and the FIT kit for colorectal cancer. The goal is to find cancer earlier and treat it better.

The lecture will be available by video conference at the following locations across the province:

• Dartmouth General Hospital, Dartmouth
• Hants Community Hospital, Windsor
• Eastern Memorial Hospital, Canso
• St. Martha's Regional Hospital, Antigonish
• Strait Richmond Hospital, Evanston
• St. Anne Community and Nursing Care Centre, Arichat
• Guysborough Memorial Hospital, Guysborough
• St. Mary's Memorial Hospital, Sherbrooke
• AVH Chipman Boardroom, Annapolis Valley Industrial Park, Kentville
• Colchester Regional Hospital, Truro
• Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow
• Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Amherst
• South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater
• Shoreham Village, Chester
• Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney
• Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, Inverness
• Victoria County Memorial Hospital, Baddeck
• Eskasoni Health Centre, Eskasoni
• Yarmouth Regional Hospital, Yarmouth
• Roseway Hospital, Shelburne