April Patient Perspective
Karen Hamlin Six years ago, I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). I chose full treatment- chemotherapy, bilateral surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. I exercise, watch my diet, maintain a spiritually positive attitude, and continue to work even since my retirement. However, there are risks and side effects of treatment. At the beginning of last year, I was experiencing serious cramping of chest area muscles and an increase in lymphedema in my arms. My Radiation Oncologist recommended physical therapy at TurningPoint. It has been a pleasant and rewarding experience. The therapists are very positive and cheerful. They have encouraged me to do exercises and massages to reduce muscle cramping in the chest area and increase range of motion in the arms and shoulders. They have a relatively new piece of equipment, a Perometer, to measure lymphedema (swelling) in the arms. This helps me see the improvements I am making through exercise and use of the compression sleeves. It’s all about “know-how”, what I can do on a daily basis to improve my own well-being. TurningPoint has been there guiding me in this process. Thank you TurningPoint! Karen Hamlin, Breast Cancer Survivor
Evidence Update: To Jump-Start Your Exercise Routine, Be Mindful
The benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors during and after treatment is well known. But…we all struggle to stick with an exercise program, particularly when life gets busy. A new study suggests that by paying more attention to the experience of exercise itself, we are more likely to continue an exercise program. This is important, especially to reluctant exercisers. Research confirms that one of the most reliable indicators of whether people will continue to exercise is that they find exercise satisfying. They gain enjoyment from being active! A recent study hoped to shed light on what makes exercise feel pleasurable to some and like drudgery to others. Specifically, they were interested in the role of mindfulness, a deliberate awareness of what is happening in the present moment. To test this relationship between mindfulness and satisfaction with exercise, Dutch researchers interviewed 398 women and men who identified themselves as physically active. Participants were asked how much they exercised, how satisfied they were with that exercise and how mindful they were during exercise. Not surprisingly, the people who reported being most satisfied with exercise were also the people who exercised the most. What was interesting is that mindfulness played an important role in making exercise feel satisfying. People who reported being mindful and present during exercise also generally reported satisfaction with exercise. This, in turn, should help them stick with a regular exercise program. So…the next time you walk, run, cycle or work out at the gym, be aware of the sensations of your body and mind. Immerse yourself in the experience. Do something new and challenging, and incorporate things you really enjoy. Try adding some fun to your workout with this month’s “Balls, Bosus and Bands” Class, presented by our TurningPoint physical therapists on March 25, 2015 in the TurningPoint gym. Tsafou KE et al. Mindfulness and satisfaction in physical activity: A cross-sectional study in the Dutch population. J Health Psychol. 2015, Jan 28. pii: 1359105314567207. [Epub ahead of print]
March Patient Perspective
Amena Mitchell In the spring of 2011 I noticed a small lump in the lower, inner quadrant of my right breast. I immediately panicked and called my doctor. I was scheduled for a mammogram shortly thereafter and was advised that it was a benign cyst and some calcification. Over the course of the following two years I went for routine mammograms and ultrasounds every six months. In April of 2013 I would learn that I had an early stage of breast cancer, which of course momentarily devastated me.tp admin I was diagnosed with DCIS, and the initial expectation was to surgically remove the impacted area, but upon further research I decided on a mastectomy. Of course this news took the wind out of my sails, and literally made me sick to the stomach, but I handled it with grace and moved forward with the process. On May 1st of 2013 my right breast was removed and the reconstruction process began. I was always optimistic that I would be just fine, but had no clue of the pending challenge I would face. I developed a condition called cording that caused the loss of mobility and limited the range of motion in my right arm. I was told it resulted from the build-up of lymphatic fluids due to the lack of movement post-surgery. This is where TurningPoint, my God-send, comes in. Approximately four weeks after surgery my Plastic Surgeon referred me for physical therapy. I literally could not do basic tasks that required the use of my right arm. I walked around like I had on an invisible sling because it hurt too much when I attempted to raise my arm. My first session at TurningPoint was the best and the worst… The best because I knew I was on the path to healing, but the worst because it was painful when my physical therapist, Lauren, first started the process of stretching and working the cording out. After that initial visit things got progressively better. Approaching two years after surgery, I will always have a special place in my heart for TurningPoint. I truly appreciate the kindness and care that the staff showers on all of their patients, as well as the encouragement to stay positive and motivated. Since my experience, I’ve trade-marked a Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirt: Size Doesn’t Matter, Finding The Cure Does™, and have committed to provide a percentage of the proceeds to TurningPoint annually. I will forever be an advocate and supporter of the cause and of TurningPoint! Amena Mitchell, Breast Cancer Survivor
Evidence Update: Body Image and Sexuality – You are Not Alone!
Breast cancer and its treatments may affect sexual functioning based on physiological and psychosocial mechanisms. A recent study examined various aspects of sexual and psychosocial functioning before surgery, six months and one year after surgical treatment in 149 women with breast cancer. Of interest is that they also compared sexual function with an equal number of women of the same age who did not have breast cancer. Compared to before surgery and to women without breast cancer, women after breast cancer reported significantly more problems with sexual desire and arousal six months after surgery. Problems were greater for women who had mastectomy versus lumpectomy. Interestingly, the study found that the women with breast cancer reported significantly more consensus in their relationship with their partners than the non-breast cancer group. The threatening nature of a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment may increase vulnerability in relationships that results in re-evaluating the importance of the other person in their life and the necessity of agreement on relevant issues between partners. The issues and concerns related to body image and sexuality are not unique to breast cancer survivors, but breast cancer and its treatment can produce a wave of physical, emotional and social changes that can greatly challenge breast cancer survivors’ quality of life. Join us this month for our education event, led by TurningPoint’s counselor Karen Savrin, MSW, as we explore these challenges and consider practical ways to address them. Aerts, L. et al. Sexual functioning in women after mastectomy versus breast conserving therapy for early-stage breast cancer: a prospective controlled study. Breast. 2014:23(5):629.
