Idea acf1057:

Cancer Exercise: Improving the lives of cancer patients

Posted October 13, 2009

• Posted by: Wellspring
• Organization: Wellspring Cancer Support Network
• Location: M4Y 1H6, Toronto, Ontario
• Category: Encourage Healthy Lifestyles
• Cost: Big ($50,000 – $250,000)

Exercise can help to reduce the chance of recurrence in some cancers.

The Facts

• An estimated 40% of Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer within their lifetimes
• Recent medical research clearly indicates that exercise is an important tool in the recuperative process for some cancer patients.
• Cancer patients have special needs when it comes to exercise
• Most fitness trainers do not know about the special considerations(for example: lymphedema, seizures, bone metastases) that need to be taken into account for cancer patients.
• Exercise has been shown to reduce a patient’s level of fatigue, depression and anxiety, and to lessen cancer- and treatment-related symptoms.
• Some studies even indicate that exercise can help to significantly reduce the chance of recurrence in some cancers.
• One landmark study focused on breast cancer showed that exercising just five to eight hours per week can reduce the rate of breast cancer recurrence by 50%.

The Need

With over 171,000 individuals diagnosed with cancer in Canada this year alone, exercise during and after cancer is essential in order to reduce the symptoms of cancer and treatment, improve treatment outcomes, and prevent cancer recurrences. Exercise for cancer patients looks very different than exercise for the general population, and few fitness trainers know how to properly assess and develop a program for cancer survivors. Even simple things like push-ups or sit-ups can cause serious complications for people living with cancer. There is a need to provide cancer exercise training to physiotherapists, kinesiologists, and personal trainers from across Canada. This program is cutting edge – currently only one physiotherapy school in Canada offers cancer rehabilitation training as part of its program, and that is just for one day.

The Program

The Cancer Exercise training will help professionals from across Canada to identify the unique needs of cancer patients living with any type of cancer and at any stage of cancer treatment, and design personalized exercises that make use of inexpensive equipment such as bands, steps and balls, in order to ensure that exercises are easy to replicate for minimal costs. The training will give participants the knowledge they need to develop interval training exercise programs for cancer patients in their home communities.

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*"The program saved me. I was at all time low emotionally and physically. The support, guidance and encouragement was exactly what I needed. I believe rehabilitation is as important as an accurate diagnosis, treatment and follow up. I am so pleased my doctor encouraged me to pursue this. I only wish I could stay in the program longer. Thank you for the opportunity to participate, to improve my sense of well being and to gain back strength and my ability to walk and move.”

– Comment by Cancer Exercise participant*

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  Cancer Exercise
  A woman who has had breast cancer surgery is at risk for the development of lymphedema; for her a simple push-up could be dangerous. A fitness professional trained in the needs of cancer patients can design an appropriate program
  October 14, 2009 @ 1:41 PM

  
  
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  Exercise doesn't have to be expensive.
  Exercise doesn't have to be expensive. A trained cancer exercise fitness professional can individualize a comprehensive program using inexpensive equipment that can be easily replicated at home.
  October 14, 2009 @ 1:44 PM

  
  
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  Exercise reduces the risk of cancer recurrance.
  One landmark study on breast cancer showed that exercising just five to eight hours per week can reduce the rate of breast cancer recurrence by 50%. ~Michelle D. Holmes, et al., Journal of the American Medical Association. 2005; 293(20):2479-2486.
  October 14, 2009 @ 1:55 PM

  
  

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• alysetalia

  What an incredible cause! I am cheering for you and sending thoughts and prayers.
  October 16, 2009 @ 11:19 AM EST

  
  

• clare

  BlueWave is an extremely worthwhile organisation. We lost our 16-year-old daughter (only child) to suicide 12 years ago. She suffered from Bipolar disorder. We would have given anything to have had BlueWave then. A website for her to go and share with others with the same illnes and be encouraged, when she felt so alone. Also a website for us as her parents to go to educate ourselves on the illness and get advice and encouragement on supporting her through her struggles. And ultimately a place for our daughter to have gone when she was discharged from the hospital, but unsafe to be at home. BlueWave is too late for us, but we pray that other young people will benefit from it and find healing. Thank you, BlueWave, and God bless you! Clare
  October 16, 2009 @ 2:28 PM EST

  
  

• fay.malixi

  I would vote as many times as i can. My prayers go out to all children and families (like us) going though extremely difficult times. Good luck! Fay M
  October 21, 2009 @ 7:29 AM EST

  
  

• Babel

  As someone who has completed Wellspring's Cancer Exercise program, I can't speak highly enough of it. It is tailored to the needs of each participant, but we benefited from supporting each other in a group. I learned how easily at home to follow a workout and I've been able to maintain it now for over five months. The exercises leave me feeling vibrant and full of energy. I feel better and look better and can now participate in activitiies that I haven't been able to previously. I am most grateful for having had the opportunity to participate and hope many others can as well.
  November 7, 2009 @ 11:33 AM EST

  
  

• ccembers

  Wellspring sounds like a great program. Regular exercise benefits us in so many ways and I can imagine what a postive impact it'll have on cancer sufferers.
  November 16, 2009 @ 5:58 PM EST

  
  

• marciarae

  Extremely important . I support this program whole heartedly Marcia Rusen
  November 18, 2009 @ 4:11 PM EST

  
  

• marciarae

  I totally support this program. M. Rusen
  November 23, 2009 @ 12:32 PM EST

  
  

• debbie

  i am so in favor of this program...with a sister battling cancer and two colleagues going through it,i know how important this is...my prayers are with you and with those of you that i don't know personally...peace and love...
  November 25, 2009 @ 9:42 PM EST

  
  

• marciarae

  I support this very important program . M. Rusen
  November 25, 2009 @ 10:26 PM EST

  
  

• haya

  I support this program with all my heart. Haya
  November 25, 2009 @ 11:49 PM EST

  
  

• Cara

  This program is a godsend for any cancer survivors suffering with residual side effects from their surgery and treatments. As a recent breast cancer survivor, I can testify that this program works wonders! Following my surgery and treatments, I had lost 40% of my range of movement in my shoulder and I had developed other body aches and pains. After taking the exercise program, I'm as good as new -- something the doctor's weren't able to help me with. Thank you Wellspring for your Cancer Exercise Program! Your exercise staff are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and caring -- really wonderful people that make this program such a success. You've helped me regain my well-being and you've taught me how to say healthy for which I am eternally grateful.
  November 27, 2009 @ 11:49 AM EST

  
  

• v.daviskelly

  didn't think I could do it, but with the support and guidance of qualified leaders, I made it...and I am proud of it. Thank you Aviva and Wellspring.
  November 28, 2009 @ 1:32 PM EST