October is Pink Ribbon Month

It’s a great opportunity to turn everything pink – and raise awareness about breast cancer survival strategies.

October is International Breast Cancer Awareness Month (IBCAM), when public service groups, medical professionals, government agencies and others work to promote awareness of the disease. Promoting awareness involves education about prevention and treatments, fundraising efforts to help find cures, and support for survivors and those dealing directly with the disease. Breast cancer is the fifth deadliest form of cancer worldwide, and this is the 25th anniversary of IBCAM. The organisation that started it wants to remind women everywhere to practice regular breast self-examinations and to schedule regular visits and annual mammograms with their health care provider.

And more good news – it’s official, exercise is good for survivors of breast cancer surgery. Historically patients were told to avoid exercise but now expert opinion confirms that moderate exercise is safe, beneficial and appropriate.

Recent research by Macmillan Cancer Support and The American College of Sports Medicine, now cites that breast cancer survivors should begin regular and moderate exercise routines after their cancer treatments. In addition to the general health benefits, exercise can also help improve bone mass density, which can be reduced by chemotherapy.

But until very recently survivors were discharged following surgery without a plan for either physical therapy or rehabilitation of the affected side(s).

Increasingly GPs, health care teams and specialists as well as charities such as Macmillan, Cancerkin, The Haven, Paul’s Centre, Maggie Centres etc now offer exercise as part of generic cancer support.

And even more good news – there are now specific Pilates exercise based programmes available which have been developed especially for breast cancer survivors. These Pilates rehabilative programmes mobilise, stretch and strengthen the shoulder, back, chest and abdominal muscles – those areas most affected by surgery.

They also improve self-confidence, to give back survivors control over their everyday activities.

This has struck a chord with me, as I was frustrated at not being able to use my exercise expertise more tangibly when a close family relative was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although I could I offer her mental and emotional support, I felt poorly equipped to help her get back into the lifestyle she previously enjoyed – particularly as she is a keen club tennis player.

So thanks to this Time & Leisure blog for raising awareness of breast cancer survival strategies – there can be an exercise life after breast surgery helping survivors can get back into the ‘pink’.

Julia Swift is a Certified Rehabilative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist and Pilates teacher

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