Post-rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise
 

Offering strength, self-esteem and quality of life to breast and other cancer survivors

Deb Preachuk is a former Instructor Trainer for the Pink Ribbon Program.  In 2008 Deb was privileged with the opportunity to teach the Pink Ribbon Post-rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist certification course to fitness and heath professionals across in Canada and The United States. Certified herself by Pink Ribbon Program founder Doreen Puglisi, Deb continues the work training breast cancer survivors in Minnesota and has branched out her area of expertise by working closely with lung cancer survivors, Minnesota Oncology and A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Foundation.  For information about hosting the course at your studio or health center, please contact the Pink Ribbon Program.

Did you know that Pilates in particular is an excellent way to rehabilitate, re-educate and balance the postural muscles affected by breast cancer treatments, removal and reconstruction surgeries?  Deb Preachuk is dedicated to supporting the physical, mental, and emotional wellness for all women recovering from breast cancer surgery.

According to the National Cancer Institute (2004) approximately 2.4 million women living in the United States in 2004 had been treated for breast cancer.

Thanks to early detection and advancements in breast cancer treatment, many more women will survive breast cancer and go on to live out their natural life expectancy.

Despite this good news, cancer treatments take an enormous toll on a women in all areas of mind, body and spirit.  From just the physical stand point a woman undergoing breast cancer treatment's body can age a decade in just the span of one year. The side effects of treatments such as inherent weight gain, muscle atrophy and premature bone loss, women leave the survivor weak and physically challenged even by normal day-to-day activities.

STOTT PILATES® is a gentle and restorative restorative exercise regimen perfectly suited for women as they recover and work to rebuild their bodies from breat cancer surgeries and adjuvant treatments.

For a cancer survivor who is re-building her foundation of physical strength—flexibility, endurance and self-esteem are priorities. Once the client’s medical team has given the okay to begin a gentle exercise program, the process begins.

Exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing after breast cancer surgery. You're probably exhausted, your arm may be painful and swollen, and the requisite treatments can make you feel even worse. All you want to do is rest. In the past, that's exactly what doctors recommended. However, recent studies indicate a link between moderate physical exercise and improved quality of life for breast cancer survivors.

Pilates Instructors and Posture Alignment Specialists with background experience and certifications in Injuries and Special Populations and/or Post-rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise like Deb Preachuk can offer specifically designed exercise protocol designed for the unique needs of each individual breast cancer survivor.

Deb is highly trained to help stretch and strengthen the shoulders, chest, back, and abdominal muscles, allowing full range of motion to return to the areas affected by breast cancer.

Sessions can be modified to accommodate the entire spectrum of breast cancer survivors. From women who have recently undergone surgery, reconstruction and adjuvant treamtments, to those who have long since recovered, the workout is adaptable and appropriate for all ages and fitness levels.  

Benefits of Exercising With A Cancer Diagnosis

There are many benefits of exercise with a cancer diagnosis. Activity is the key to avoiding debilitating effects of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and adjuvant therapy. Here are some recent notes handed out to the Minnesota Oncology Lung Cancer Survivor's Group from October 2009. 


1.  Exercise is Safe (under the guidance and supervision of a trained instructor)

  • Studies repeatedly show that exercise is safe
  • Well tolerated
  • Beneficial
  • Post-surgical and During chemotherapy, radiation , immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant


2. Exercise helps combat Fatigue

  • Fatigue #1 side effect - exercise can substantially offset fatigue
  • Fatigue has a profoundly negative effect on quality of life
  • Studies show that exercise reduces fatigue
  • Aerobic exercise during chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant has a positive effect on reducing fatigue
  • Same effect with patients with metastatic disease


3. Too much Rest during treatment can be debilitating

  • Myth - Too much rest – quickly become weak and debilitated
  • On average cancer patients who are inactive lose the following: 
  • 5% of functional ability during 7 weeks of radiation therapy
  • 16% during first 9 weeks of chemotherapy
  • 19% during high dose chemotherapy (for bone marrow transplant) in 3-4 weeks
  • Physical ability decreases, simple activities become more challenging = feel tired more easily
  • Decreased ability has a negative effect on emotional and social function
  • Lack of movement leads to:
  • Muscle wasting
  • Bone loss
  • Sarcopenia (increased fat accumulation in conjunction with increased muscle loss)
  • Decline in heart & lung function

4. Exercise can aid in maintain Functional Ability

  • Able to improve fitness with modest exercise during treatment
  • Able to perform ADL (activities of daily living) and have some energy to do other pleasurable things important to you


5. Exercise can aid in maintaining a healty Body Weight

  • Help offset weight gain due to treatment
  • Can decrease risk of recurrence in some cancers
  • Offset of other serious illnesses (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, bone and joint problems)

6. Exercise can aid in maintaing Bone Health

  • Treatments & inactivity increase rate of bone loss
  • risk of fractures increased
  • can reduce amount of bone loss during chemotherapy


7. Other benefits of Exercise include:

  • Reducing Anxiety & depression
  • Difficulty sleeping - aids in promoting better sleep
  • Self-esteem - increases
  • Body image - improves
  • Relieve/reduce nausea
  • Improve appetite
  • Decrease pain
  • Helps cognition “chemo brain”
  • Better patients tolerate treatment
  • Discharge from hospital sooner


Studies have shown that moderate exercise (as little as 10 minutes), every other day is sufficient to reduce fatigue.  Divide into short sessions –  as little as 2 minutes at a time also shown to be just as effective in reducing fatigue vs. struggling to complete a sustained period.   For a recent and timely article please visit:  www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1915975,00.html

Benefits of participation in a program specific for breast cancer survivors include:

  • Retrain the musculature of the trunk for postural improvement
  • Regain strength and mobility in the affected shoulder and arm
  • Improves self-confidence
  • Promoting a positive body image
  • Enhance and restores energy levels
  • Decreases stress and tension
  • Enhances physical and mental well-being


Pilates Integration M.B.S. and Pain Free Posture MN is pleased to offer The Pink Ribbon Program, STOTT PILATES® and Posture Alignment Therapy training services for breast cancer survivors. Call today to book your session!

If you have questions about how to incorporate an exercise program while unergoing cancer treatment, please contact me at your convenience.


"You gain strength, experience and confidence by every experience where you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you cannot do. "
~ Eleanor Roosevelt.