Improving life after breast cancer
By Chrys Ayley
The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation recently announced it is committing $1.25 million over the next year to improve the well being of women with breast cancer and already there are benefits for local women. New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation executive trustee Heather Shotter said the effects of a breast cancer diagnosis remain long after the treatment ends. Research, early detection and treatment are all important but women have been asking for services that help them resume a normal life after treatment, therefore the Foundation has expanded its funding platforms to provide for these needs. ?Breast cancer doesn?t stop because there?s a recession and women are still being diagnosed and treated,? Ms Shotter said. A programme piloted in Auckland, Pink Pilates, has been launched countrywide and one centre, the only in the lower North Island, is run at Bodyright in Petone. Sue Hamilton, a physiotherapist who has also trained in clinical pilates, and her colleague, have been licensed to run the programme at their Petone studio. While Pink Pilates has not yet received much publicity through the health system, Ms Hamilton says she has been surprised at the positive response. The programme itself covers 10 treatments for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer and covers the acute stage, recovery and fitness, Ms Hamilton says. Many surgeons have not yet heard about the programme as information packs are only just being distributed but the news of the programme has spread well by word of mouth. The Pink Pilates is a one-on-one session preceded by an assessment and goal setting so the exercise is tailored to the woman because their needs, depending on the treatment, are all different. ?They say a mastectomy is the same as having three major surgeries at a time ? there?s a lot for them to recover from,? Ms Hamilton says. Another programme just launched locally at the Hutt Hospital is the YWCA Encore programme which is gentle exercise to help women regain their mobility, flexibility and self-confidence after surgery. Funding for the coordinators is provided by the Foundation and it is hoped the programme will expand to other areas. The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation is rolling out a number of projects throughout the country including a special project fund, a patient register and a scheme called Sweet Loiuse-a service to help women who have secondary breast cancer. ?We all want the same thing- to improve outcomes for New Zealand women with breast cancer,? Ms Shotter says.
