Transcript Clinical Cases in Correctional Telemedicine

MOVEMENT FOR BREAST
CANCER SURVIVORS
MARCH 3, 2009
Robin Memel Fox, MA, ADTR, LPC,
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1. Discuss the role of movement in the
prevention of breast cancer onset
2. Outline the appropriate role of
movement for breast cancer survivors
3. Define the role of movement in the
breast cancer recurrence prevention
Movement is our first language and
most basic form of communication.
 It is a metaphor for how we think, feel
and relate to the self and others.
 To move is to create, to contact our
spiritual selves, to feel alive and
connected to ourselves and others.
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Body/Mind/Spirit Connection- the body
does not lie
There are many forms of movement
activities that enhance the body/mind/spirit
connection and help aid in healing from
cancer and other illnesses
Movement should not be painful, it should
be enjoyable and healing
Maintain a healthy weight throughout
life
 Balance calorie intake with physical
activity
 Avoid excessive weight gain
throughout life
 Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
if currently overweight or obese
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Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes
of moderate to vigorous physical
activity, above usual activities, on 5 or
more days of the week; 45 to 60
minutes of intentional physical activity
are preferable.
 For complete Nutritional and Physical
Activity Guidelines, see
www.cancer.org
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Physical activity may be the most important
lifestyle factor for reducing breast cancer
risk and recurrence.
Not only does it make breast cancer less
likely to develop, it helps prevent heart
disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
And it has the added bonus of helping with
weight control, relieving stress, building
strength, and increasing energy level.
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The goals and benefits of movement and
physical activity may include, but is not
limited to:
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Enhance energy levels
increase range of motion
relief from pain in shoulders and arms
stretch scar tissue
express your emotions
connect to body
improve body image
have fun
helps circulate and balance hormones/immune
system
◦ help maintain healthy weight
◦ decrease nausea and fatigue during cancer
treatments
◦ decrease tension, anxiety and depression
◦ decrease risk of cancer recurrence
◦ prevent lymphedema
◦ increase joy and sense of aliveness
◦ improve survival rates
◦ improve breathing
◦ be present in the moment
◦ increase self-acceptance
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Walking
Yoga
Dance
Dance/Movement Therapy
the Lebed Method
Feldenkrais
Breath work
Tai'Chi
Qigong
Jogging
Swimming
Gentle Stretching
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
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Pilates
NIA
Creative Movement
Golf
Playing Team Sports
Weight training
Bicycling
Skating
Skiing
Martial Arts
Hiking
Gentle Aerobics
House cleaning/chores
Gardening
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Dance/Movement Therapy is defined by the
American Dance Therapy Association as
“the psychotherapeutic use of movement as
a process which furthers the emotional,
cognitive and physical integration of the
individual”. Dance/Movement Therapy
(DMT) works with the connection between
the mind and the body, by assuming that
together they are an integrated whole, each
affecting the other.
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DMT is a proven effective treatment
modality for people of all ages
needing help with a variety of
issues/problems. DMT is also
recognized as a specialty of
professional counseling by the
National Board for Certified
Counselors (NBCC, 2000).
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Research on Dance/Movement
Therapy support groups have shown
an improvement on the length and
quality of life of people with cancer
and other terminal illnesses.
www.lebedmethod.com
 The Lebed Method, Focus on Healing
through Movement and Dance, is a
therapeutic exercise program for
women who have had any kind of
breast surgery, node dissection,
radiation, chemotherapy,
Lymphedema, or who suffer with
chronic fatigue
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Two physicians and a dance movement specialist
created this program to help women and men:
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Regain Range of Motion
Increase flexibility in Frozen Shoulder
Work with Balance issues both physically and emotionally
Help reduce swelling from Lymphedema
May help reduce the risk of Lymphedema
Decrease depression
Add to sexuality
Increases femininity
Promotion of positive self image and joy
Weight stabilization
is FUN and EASY to do
No special physical abilities required
Certain exercises can be one of the
major preventatives for some future
problems for survivors, from one day
after surgery to 30 years after surgery.
 This quality program is needed to help
Breast Cancer Survivors thrive once
they have survived, with a better
quality of life.
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Dozens of published research studies show
that moderate physical activity helps
prevent breast cancer recurrence, and may
promote greater survival rates.
Minimum of 1-3 hours a week of moderate
physical activity is recommended, 3-8
hours a week is even more effective.
Doing any type of exercise during and after
treatment for breast cancer may be difficult,
but even a little mild physical activity is
helpful
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Physical activity may work in conjunction
with other behaviors to lower risk and
recurrence. In a recent study, women with
one type of breast cancer (hormone
receptor positive) cut their fatality rate in
half by doing both moderate exercise thirty
minutes a day, six days per week and eating
five or more fruits and vegetables each day.
It reduces fatigue, anxiety, and
depression. It helps prevent the
weight gain that is an unfortunate side
effect of many cancer treatments
 These added pounds not only increase
the risk for recurrence, they make
breast cancer survivors more likely to
develop other serious
conditions like heart disease and
diabetes.
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Physical activity discourages cancer growth
by boosting the immune system, reducing
inflammation, and helping maintain a
healthy weight
Regular exercise helps keep off the fatty
tissue that piles on when we gain weight
Fat, especially around our middle, produces
estrogen and other substances that
promote cancer growth
Adapted from website of Karen Collins,
M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
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As far as exercise is concerned, a study
published in the May 25, 2005 issue of the
Journal of the American Medical Association
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found that it improved survival among
women who have had breast cancer even if
they walked as little as an hour a week
The authors noted that after a breast cancer
diagnosis, women decrease their levels of
physical activity by two hours a week and
that even greater decreases have been seen
among obese women.
In closing, it is clearly shown to be
imperative that women with breast
cancer engage in some type of
moderate physical activity or
movement -based activity or support.
 Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and
diet, healthy weight and engaging in
movement activities minimizes the
risks of breast cancer onset and
recurrence.
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Now let's get moving with
our experiential portion of
today!