This article was written by Emily Searle at PINC&STEEL.
It isn’t breaking news that exercise is beneficial for everyone.
It isn’t even news that exercise is beneficial for those with a cancer diagnosis. This area of research, and the evidence that exercising has positive outcomes for patients both during cancer treatment and in survivorship has been growing for over 10 years.
It is news that finally, the growing body of evidence that supports the positive impact of exercising after a cancer diagnosis is starting to be recognised worldwide with the level of urgency and importance it deserves! New cancer rehabilitation and exercise guidelines for medical professionals are being introduced around the world, to ensure that those with a cancer diagnosis can LIVE MORE during treatment, in survivorship and with advanced disease.
Research recently conducted by a large UK based cancer charity found that only a fifth of patients who have been through cancer treatment are told of the benefits of exercise. This is disappointing and is despite the mounting evidence.
At PINC&STEEL we have been providing cancer rehabilitation through exercise guidance in particular to those with breast cancer, for over 10 years. We have long been aware of the potential for incredible and life changing outcomes at all stages and in all phases of treatment that exercise has to offer, and for many years afterwards.
The list of benefits from exercising during and after cancer treatments continues to expand. These benefits don’t only include the physical improvements we are familiar with. Increased strength, tone and fitness certainly enable people to physically function in their roles again at work and home. However, improvements are significant in the area of mental wellbeing too. Exercise can help with treatment related fatigue, stress, anxiety, low mood and depression, aspects of health that many people may not have been significantly affected by prior to their cancer diagnosis.
Myself, having had breast cancer, the benefit of exercising with growing evidence to support it and that I rejoice over the most, is that regular exercise may also reduce the chances of my breast cancer returning by up to 40%. This one hits the spot for me. Exercise is something I have complete control over, something I can prioritise and find a way to include in my survivorship that the research suggests could help me to LIVE MORE and for longer.
So, why isn’t everyone exercising after a cancer diagnosis?
Often, getting started that is the most challenging hurdle.
PINC&STEEL physiotherapists are passionate about supporting those who have a cancer diagnosis to get started with an exercise and movement program. Often, during treatment or after surgeries we can’t just ‘get started’ like others can. We have big worries, physical limitations, anxiety and concerns about the way we should exercise, even about putting on our active wear! Are we doing the right thing? How hard? How heavy? How fast? When? Where? and even just…. “How?”
PINC&STEEL Certified Physiotherapists have specialised training to enable them to be able to understand, support and guide patients through exercise programs specifically designed to meet the person’s unique needs. They have time to listen and to plan, they have experience to address the difficulties that are a barrier to getting started and to keeping it going. They support their clients to understand when anxiety inducing ‘niggles’ or pain need to be looked at more closely and refer to the right professionals. They gently guide clients to meet their goals, be it less pain, more sleep, reducing the need for nana naps or indeed, running a marathon. Whatever the client identifies as their goal, wherever they are at in their cancer experience.
PINC&STEEL physios can help people even if they didn’t do any exercise before breast cancer. They can create appropriate and safe exercise programs even if breasts have been reconstructed recently. They can offer strengthening exercises that can be achieved alongside side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. They have the skills to ensure any programs are suitable too considering other health conditions that the patient may be experiencing, including osteoporosis, lymphoedema or heart problems. PINC&STEEL providers know how to support those with a cancer diagnosis to integrate activity, movement, exercise into their lives for positive outcomes, that enable people to improve their physical experience, whilst also supporting them to reduce some of the anxiety and fear that isn’t serving them day to day to live their best lives.
I keep active to manage my osteoporosis, reduce my aching joints, loosen my stiff shoulder, manage my fatigue, clear my foggy head and to be able to continue to live an active lifestyle with two small children after breast cancer. What is important, essential perhaps, is that I can still FEEL the benefits of my PINC&STEEL cancer rehabilitation every day long after it was complete.
PINC&STEEL physiotherapists can start where you are at today.
They can guide and support and listen to what you want for you. They have the expertise to build and progress an exercise program with you that is about your goals; about what is important to you and support you along the way to achieving them!
You can connect with your local PINC&STEEL physio via www.pincandsteel.com.
Emily Searle
