Wimmera residents affected by cancer will have access to a comprehensive survivorship education, exercise and wellness program.
Wimmera Cancer Centre manager and cancer nurse practitioner Carmel O’Kane said the Cancer Wellness and Exercise Program provides people, who have finished their cancer treatment, with group exercise sessions delivered by experienced exercise physiologists.
“The program provides invaluable support and information for locals recovering from cancer, including the roughly 430 people who are diagnosed with cancer on average in the Wimmera region each year,” Ms O’Kane said.
The free one hour group sessions will run over eight weeks, starting on May 2, 2019. Each session is followed by a short education session each week.
This Cancer Council Victoria program will be held at Wimmera Health Care Group, in the Arapiles Building and will assist participants to increase their fitness and strength, improve their ability to perform daily tasks, learn to cope with life now and connect with others.
“We hear regularly that cancer patients can have trouble adjusting to their ‘new normal’ after treatment ceases”, Ms O’Kane said.
“This program will provide locals with the tools they need to get back into exercise and to deal with changes in their lives at home and at work.
“Research shows that exercise rehabilitation programs help cancer survivors manage pain, reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. Last year’s programs, once completed, showed participants reporting increase in; their physical activity, fatigue management and serves of fruit and vegetables.”
The program helps support cancer patients through survivorship and in many cases makes them feel less alone. To register, or for more information, contact the Community Rehabilitation Centre, at Wimmera Health Care Group, on 5381 9333.