More About Exercise
Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW, OSW-C Program Manager, Oncology Social Work
NOVEMBER 22, 2017
I do know that this topic has been over(?) discussed, but it is important. There is increasing evidence that regular mild to moderate exercise is helpful in cancer-related as well as all the previously recognized ways. I hauled myself out of bed this morning and headed to the gym before coming home to begin the marathon shopping and cooking schedule that means Thanksgiving. I am hoping, probably vainly, that the 45 minutes at the gym may balance the piles of mashed potatoes and stuffing that I am planning to consume tomorrow.
From ASCO comes this discussion with two experts. I am hoping it will continue to motivate me as I am beginning this holiday season with an extra pound or so from my recent vacation. I have always believed that watching calories is a sure way to ruin a vacation, and I followed my own advice--but probably not so smart at this time of year when we know what is coming.
Note that this article focuses on the LIVESTRONG Program that is offered at many YMCAs. There are a number of local programs. If your nearest Y does not offer it, call the main Boston YMCA and ask what is nearby.
Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment, with Kristen Leung and Rachel Dudasik
You’re listening to a podcast from Cancer.Net. This cancer information website is produced by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, known as ASCO, the world’s leading professional organization for doctors who care for people with cancer. There are many benefits to being physically active during and after cancer treatment. However, the side effects of cancer treatment can make it challenging to get to a gym or complete standard exercises. In this podcast, we discuss these challenges, tips for staying physically active, and the benefits of participating in a fitness program designed for cancer survivors, like LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. This podcast will be led by Kristin Leung, a volunteer Senior Leader in the LIVESTRONG Foundation and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Instructor, and Rachel Dudasik, who is a LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Instructor Trainer and Program Manager. ASCO would like to thank Ms. Leung and Ms. Dudasik for discussing this topic.
Kristin Leung: Hello, everyone. My name is Kristin Leung. I'm here with Rachel Dudasik. We are both LIVESTRONG at the YMCA instructors as well as volunteer leaders for the LIVESTRONG Foundation. And we're here to talk to you today about exercising and physical activity after cancer. So little bit about myself. I am a mother of a 15 year old. I'm a middle school science teacher. And I have been working with cancer survivors since 2011, when my local YMCA in Princeton, New Jersey brought the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program to our facility. If you are unfamiliar with that program, it is a 12 week fitness and wellness program for adult cancer survivors aimed toward gaining physical strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance, and bringing it back to their lives after cancer treatment and diagnosis.