Advice from, Carol Michaels, a cancer exercise expert on how to stay active during and after cancer treatment

As most of you know, my mother, father, other family members and close friends have had cancer. Having cared for and watched loved ones suffer from this disease, one of my life goals was to do whatever I could to help the healing process. This resulted in my creating the Recovery Fitness® cancer exercise program which was inspired by and is dedicated to these courageous people. The value of adding a fitness professional to the patient’s team is finally receiving the acknowle

Caregivers can help their patients with their disease by helping them exercise. This can be accomplished through instructional exercise DVDs or by bringing them to exercise programs that are designed for the patient's specific condition. These specialized programs teach patients how to exercise properly, and provide an exercise schedule. They can also provide a social and educational forum. Depending on the disease, patients may suffer difficulty breathing, fatigue, anxiety,

There are numerous issues that need to be covered in a survivorship plan. I will focus on physical activity. Exercise is an important component of a cancer survivor’s recovery process. Emerging research suggests a decrease in cancer recurrence for those who exercise. A well-designed program can also decrease side effects and improve quality of life. Moreover, acceptance of exercise as part of a good recuperation and standard of care has been gaining momentum in the medical co

A weak core in a cancer survivor can lead to further health issues such as poor balance and poor posture. Balance issues can develop due to some types of chemotherapy, neuropathy, reconstructive surgery and sarcopenia. Cancer survivors need to be concerned with maintaining good balance. The core is one of the muscle groups that is needed to maintain good balance. Good balance can decrease the risk of falls. A large percentage of survivors have osteopenia or osteoporosis so

The breast cancer survivor’s balance can suffer after surgical procedures. We find this to be especially acute with the TRAM flap procedure where the rectus abdominus is altered. Poor core strength has a negative effect on balance. A breast cancer survivor has to learn how to compensate for this change of muscle placement through a series of exercises designed to strengthen the remaining muscles such as the obliques. Balance can deteriorate as we age even without cancer.

Combat Chemotherapy: Nutrition to Carry You Through Eating right is something that everybody should try to do, but when you’re going through chemotherapy, what you put into your body becomes particularly important. While avoiding chemicals and heavily processed foods that could make you feel worse is important, there are also some particular foods you should consider making a part of your regular diet. Although the foods you eat may be unable to actually fight off the cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be extremely difficult to deal with physically and mentally. New medical advances are enabling more people to fight this disease successfully. But there are still side effects of the surgery and treatments even though there has been much advancement. One of the side effects from cancer can be lymphedema. The circulatory system is made up of arteries and veins and the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system relies on movement of muscles to circulate th

Last week I had the pleasure of talking to Janet Cockburn, the owner of Janac (mastectomy wear). As fitness professional, I would not want anyone to avoid exercise due to being uncomfortable. I am now posting some information from her website, http://www.janac.com. “At Janac we are passionate about helping each woman who has breast and body shape challenges feel comfortable and confident, look good at home and at the gym, and therefore be the woman she wants to be. My Story M

Balancing work and life responsibilities after a cancer diagnosis can be a challenging task. It is a constant juggle of time between the responsibilities of home, work, and caring for yourself. When you return to work after cancer treatments it is more important than ever to evaluate your work/life balance. It can be overwhelming to care for yourself and your family while trying to maintain your career, outside interests, and educational goals. Working after a cancer diagno

One of the main concerns among many patients going through treatment for cancer is weight loss. The inability to keep weight on often contributes a great deal of anxiety to an already stressful situation. Side effects of radiation or chemotherapy treatment such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, stomach cramps, and taste changes can all decrease one’s desire to eat. But there are things you can do to help combat this situation. Protein and Cancer From the Greek meaning, ‘of pr

Throughout the treatment and recovery process, cancer patients can use nutrition and exercise to strengthen their body and manage their side effects. Proper fuel and physical activity can help patients maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass, counteract fatigue and release anxiety. Patients generally need to increase their calorie and protein intake to meet the increased energy demands of cancer recovery. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins should make up mos

A pair of Yale Cancer Center interventional studies involving breast cancer survivors found that lifestyle changes in the form of healthy eating and regular exercise can decrease biomarkers related to breast cancer recurrence and mortality. The abstracts are scheduled to be presented at the 2014 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago May 30-June 3rd. “The findings of both studies support a growing body of research that suggests lifestyle interv

Exercise may lower a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Guidelines recommend people get about 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. Although more research is needed to confirm the underlying mechanisms driving the protective benefits of exercise, exercise is an easy way to encourage good health overall. Scientists from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul conducted a study of 391 inactive, healthy, premenopausal women whom they split into two groups. They found that the 1

The Journal of Physical Activity and Health reported that physical activity can extend the life of male cancer survivors. The study was done by researchers from Harvard Medical School and Loyala University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. They concluded that men who exercised the most were the least likely to die .They adjusted for smoking, diet, and early parental death. Those that used the most calories weekly were less likely to die from any cause over the follow

When can you start a exercise program after having cancer surgery and treatments? You should start stretching exercises as soon as you get clearance from your doctor. It is important to talk to your doctor before starting to exercise. This way you can determine what program is right for you. Some exercises can be started soon after cancer surgery while others can be done right after the drains and stitches are removed. Cancer Exercises to Not Have to Be High Intensity Wh

Cancer surgery and treatments can affect posture in cancer survivors. Studies have shown that if you have breast cancer surgery and treatments, you are more likely to have faulty body posture. I would like to see every person who has had surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation be evaluated by a cancer exercise specialist who is trained for your particular situation. Thus, a cancer survivor can receive specific and targeted recommendations. A mastectomy without reconstruction can