Feeling Fit: Exercise and Physical Therapy
Did you know that antioxidants may interfere with chemotherapy? Did you know that some types of massage may aggravate your already-weakened immune system caused by drugs?
Breast cancer patients and survivors do need to attend to exercise and nutrition. Programs tailored for you are available. If you choose to stay with your own work out routines or diets, be sure to inform your medical professionals.
During treatment, you may need a more gentle workout routine, increased calorie intake or other requirements. Massage therapy may be more than just a relaxing indulgence: some research supports the idea that by relieving stress in muscles, your body can better respond to therapies.
However, when you are in treatment, you need the help of professionals who understand breast cancer. Some massage therapists may not realize that vigorous massage can work against your cancer treatment. Physical therapists may not realize the limitations of your arm movement if you have had mastectomy and/or axillary dissection.
As for diet, some foods are better left alone until chemotherapy is over as fresh fruits and vegetables sometimes carry bacteria that your immune system can't fight during that treatment. Later, you'll need to add lots of nutrients to your diet as you recover and regain your overall health.
Ask your medical team for referrals if you feel that you need some kind of therapy, nutrition counseling or other help. Check with your insurer first to see if the company will pay all or any of the treatment.
Resources in Bloomington:
- WISE. (Working Out to Improve Strength and Endurance)
This program provides a supportive environment in which cancer patients, in all phases of recovery, work to improve their functional status and quality of life through physical activity and multidisciplinary education programs. A YMCA staff person will work directly with the medical and academic community to present current information regarding detection, treatment, alternative therapies, nutrition, and relevant research. Brought to you by the YMCA, IMA, Bloomington Hospital and Indiana University. $15/month, nonmembers. Call (812)332-5555. (Read more about the program.) - Center for Occupational Health
- Therapeutic Massage, (812)333-4917
Rehabilitation Services at Bloomington Hospital and Rebound West, massage therapy, (812)353-9484. - Physiotherapy Associates in Bloomington
Cyrilla Bishop, clinical director and physical therapist, is trained to treat breast cancer patients for post surgery treatment of edema, decreased shoulder range of motion, lymphedema prevention and lymphedema. (812)336-7910.
In south central Indiana:
- Dunn Memorial Hospital, Bedford, (812)275-3331.
- Bedford Regional Medical Center, Bedford, (812)275-1200 or (800)755-3734.
- Morgan County Regional Cancer Center
On the Web
- Staying Abreast offers tips on post-operative exercise, with drawings and instructions. Good resource if you are doing some exercises at home.
- American Institute for Cancer Research's Nutrition Hotline provides information on cancer prevention and diet information. Call 800-843-8114 or visit online.
- Bloomington Hospital's Web site lists lots of good links to nutrition information for those in treatment or working their way back to good health.
