Gentle exercise after breast cancer surgery

A free gentle exercise program for women who have had breast cancer surgery will be held in Woy Woy from February 7 to March 28 from 10am until 12pm.

The YWCA Encore Program is available to women who have had surgery at any time in their lives.

The program meets the physical needs and supports the well-being of women after the trauma of breast cancer surgery in a nurturing and supportive environment, whether that surgery was a few months ago or 20 years ago.

Encore coordinator Ms Kate Guthrey said: "The Encore Program was created to improve movement, flexibility and strength after breast cancer surgery."

"It helps to reduce the potential risk of lymphoedema and can assist in its management.

"It runs for eight weeks and incorporates gentle floor and hydrotherapy exercises.

"It's a perfect opportunity for relaxation and information-sharing amongst women with similar experiences," said Ms Guthrey.

Studies have shown that exercise programs for most cancer survivors in general can reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, boost self-esteem and reduce symptoms of fatigue.

At this year's Breast Cancer Network Australia conference, Associate Professor Sandi Hayes who is an exercise physiologist and senior research fellow, spoke about the benefits of physical exercise.

She told how regular exercise could preserve or improve strength, muscle mass, physical and immune function as well as chemotherapy completion rates.

She also showed how levels of fatigue were significantly reduced for those who were sufficiently active.

Doctors at the Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK said: "Cancer patients would be shocked if they knew just how much of a benefit physical activity could be for the recovery and long term health".

Register by calling 02 9285 6264 or emailing encore@ywcansw.com.au.

Media Release, 18 Dec 2012

Melanie Stevens, Fifty Acres