Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/197379
ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT Advocacy Spotlight: #BCSM: Breast Cancer Social Media By Diana Price Dr. Deanna Attai, Alicia Staley, and Jody Schoger With more than 30 years' experience as a communications and public relations professional, Jody Schoger recognized early what a powerful communication tool social media, and specifcally Twitter, could be. In 2008 Jody, a breast cancer survivor, launched a personal blog related to her survivorship and also began using Twitter. As she began following individuals and groups discussing health-care topics, Jody was intrigued and impressed by the breadth and the depth of information available, and she became aware of the opportunity for connection that social media could provide cancer survivors. "What was amazing to me is how quickly you could get to know people in various areas of cancer," Jody says. "From nonproft organizations to people who are writing about health care to doctors who are writing about it—it was just a phenomenal thing to me." It was through Twitter that Jody connected with Alicia Staley, a threetime cancer survivor and advocate who was similarly interested in the way social media could beneft the breast cancer community. Jody and Alicia began 8 cancer fighters thrive | winter 2013 discussing how breast cancer, specifcally, that elevates the chat to another level," was featured on Twitter, and they noted the lack of conversation among survivors. Both women felt that the format provided a valuable opportunity to reach patients with critical information and support at pivotal points along their journeys. After many discussions about the way a dynamic conversation could help patients, Jody and Alicia decided to take the leap themselves and create a regular Twitter chat focused on breast cancer topics. The pair launched their frst #BCSM (Breast Cancer Social Media) chat on July 4, 2011, hoping that the holiday would mean a smaller crowd for their frst attempt. "We thought, Well, a lot of people will be on vacation," Jody says, "but we got 90 people for that frst chat!" So much for a soft launch—#BCSM was off and running. Soon after the initial chat, breast surgeon Deanna Attai, MD, began attending regularly and expressed interest in joining Jody and Alicia in their effort. Dr. Attai's participation as a moderator provided welcome clinical expertise. "Having a physician as part of the community adds a quality of expertise Jody says. "Support is a very essential component, but so is accurate information." In the two years since that initial chat, Jody, Alicia and Dr. Attai have each week welcomed breast cancer survivors (ranging from those newly diagnosed to longterm survivors), experts and advocates to discuss a broad range of topics. Discussions have covered everything from current research to emotional issues and coping strategies. Whatever the topic, Jody says, the mission is clear: to remain focused on the participants' needs and on providing valuable evidence-based information. Despite the large number of breast cancer organizations and online communities providing resources to survivors, Jody says that the #BCSM chats provide a unique vehicle for connection and education. One of the major benefts, she says, is "the basic simplicity" of the Twitter chat format. "You don't have to sign up for a password or share personal info," Jody says. "We're not trying to sell you anything. We're not trying to get you to support an organization. We're not cfthrive.com