Life as a Cancer Survivor Poses Physical and Emotional Challenges - Wall Street Journal

Cancer Survivorship Care Programs Integrate the Body, Mind and Soul of the Survivor

Cancer rehabilitation services in Canada are rarely received, although they are needed as much as in the US

Cancer physiotherapy, emotional aid and plans for treatment follow-up are becoming the norm at a number of hospitals and community cancer centers in the US where survivorship care programs have an integrated approach that takes care of the body, mind and soul of the survivor. Unfortunately in Canada, these rehabilitation services are still rarely received, although they are needed just the same. (see Oncology Rehabilitation Provision and Practice Patterns Across Canada, Canestro et al, Physio Canada, 2013)

As reported in The Next Front in Cancer Care at the Wall Street Journal, "Chemotherapy and radiation can damage vital organs such as the heart and liver, possibly causing secondary diseases years later. The body can be debilitated, cognitive functions impaired and emotions distressed, making return to normal life and work difficult. Some 70% of cancer survivors experience depression at some point. Patients have higher levels of anxiety years after the disease is cured." The focus of treatment is on curing the cancer, but often there is no care provided for the side effects that occur as a result of the cancer treatment.

Cancer Rehab Canada feels the same rehabilitation services should be offered to Canadians who are living with cancer, whether their impairments are physical or psychological in nature. We have a long way to go to provide the same array of services available to many Americans, but we are working hard to build the same level of rehab care for all Canadian cancer survivorships.

Read the full Wall Street Journal article.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Urban Poling Improves Quality of Life for Cancer Patients

Urban Poling is a growing wellness trend that combines specialized poles with walking

Urban Poling Help Survivors Recover from Cancer and Cancer Treatment

Walking poles are an excellent choice for people recovering from cancer and the cancer treatments they have received. The poles improve your balance and posture while walking. They allow you to walk further with less fear of falling and less stress on your joints. By using your upper body as well as your lower body, you will burn more calories which will assist you in weight loss. The swinging motion of your arms is particularly good exercise for the mobility of your shoulders. Shoulder restriction is so often a problem for breast cancer patients who have had surgery or radiation in the area.

Proven Benefits of Walking Poles

Evidence based studies have indicated the effectiveness of walking poles on shoulder function in breast cancer survivors. Other proven beneficial effects are:

• Self-esteem

  

  Anne Edgell-Kennedy, Clinic Director of
  LifeMark/Centric Health in Fonthill ON
  instructs a patient in proper use of urban poling

• Social interaction
• Improvement in pain management
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Quality of life
• Functional independence
• Core strength
• Upper extremity mobility and strength
• Muscular endurance
• Posture, stability and balance
• Exercise tolerance
• Personal exertion limits

Ensure Proper Height of Poles

It is important that the poles are the right height for you. Stand up straight with your elbows at your sides and bend them to 90 degrees (an "L" shape) and then adjust your poles so you are holding the handles while your arms stay in this position. A physiotherapist can help get you properly fitted and help you with your poling technique. It can take some practice to feel comfortable using the poles.

More Resources on Urban Poling

Read about the Health Benefits of Nordic Walking.

To see how Urban Poling works in action, check out our video.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.