October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is also National Physical Therapy Month…
and they fit so well together.
A roundtable convened by the American College of Sports Medicine in 2010 reviewed available research and concluded that exercise is safe during and after all breast cancer treatments (as long as you take any needed precautions and keep the intensity low) and improves physical functioning, quality of life, and cancer-related fatigue. There also is evidence that exercise can help breast cancer survivors live longer and lead a more active life. Exercise can also reduce the risk of developing breast cancer if you’ve never been diagnosed.
Eating right is one important way you may be able to lower your risk of breast cancer, according to The American Cancer Society. Eating mostly vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and less red meat (beef, pork, and lamb), less processed meat (bacon, sausage, luncheon meats, and hot dogs), and fewer sweets. A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancer types.
The goal of physical therapy before, during and after cancer treatment/surgery is to minimize the side effects and to optimize recovery. A Community Health Partners’ physical therapist can provide you with an individualized program to get you active and exercising safely and effectively at the YMCA. The YMCA provides cancer survivors a 12-week free membership which includes access to CHP’s Nurse Navigator for ongoing support and to help you connect with our Above and Beyond Cancer programming.
https://aboveandbeyondcancer.org/ymca-survivorship-program/
Call CHP at 515-512-9225 for more information about the Cancer Survivorship programs and services.