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Exercise Physiology for Cancer

The research is clear that exercise should be embedded as part of standard practice in cancer care and to be viewed as an adjunct therapy that helps counteract the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists specialise in cancer management and work with individuals with many different types of cancers and at different stages, such as during and after treatment. Our private exercise environment allows for a safe and welcoming experience for people with cancer and who might perhaps be immune compromised.

The Benefits of Exercise for People with Cancer Include:

- Improved muscle strength and mass
- Improved physical function to help with daily activities
- Improved immune function
- Improved chemotherapy completion rates
- Improved mood and self esteem
- Reduced hospitalisation duration
- Reduced psychological and emotional stress, including depression and anxiety
- Reduced number and severity of symptoms and side effects reported (e.g. pain, fatigue, nausea)
- Reduced chance of developing new cancers and other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis

Our Experienced Practitioners

Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists are experienced in cancer care for people at all stages of their journey, whether that be prior to, during or after treatment, during remission or palliative care. We will communicate with your healthcare team on a regular basis to ensure that we are working towards the best possible outcome for your care.

We work with many different types of cancers, including but not limited to: Breast, Prostate, Gynaecological (e.g. cervical, uterine), Bowel and colorectal, Lung, Haematological (leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma).

Graded exercise therapy (GET) means that we start small and progressively increase your exercise over time, taking into account how your body is tolerating the activity and other symptoms that you may be experiencing. This means that our exercise recommendations are tailored to your individual abilities with adaptations made depending on your type and severity of cancer, any treatment related side effects and current health status.

 

 

Not sure where to start?

We offer a Gap Free* Assessment which allows us to gain a good understanding of your health status and history, what your goals are, and develop a plan on how we can get you there.

*No out of pocket cost for those with private health covering Exercise Physiology

Our Exercising Environment

At True North Wellness, we have a private exercise environment that allows for just about any exercise you might do in a gym, but with a different feel. This allows for a safe and welcoming experience for people with cancer, and hygiene practices in place to assist those who might be immune compromised. We can also set up home programs for those who would prefer to do most of their exercise in the comfort of their home.

Exercise Physiology is recommended best practice for cancer care...

The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) recommends in their latest position statement:

  1. Exercise is to be embedded as a part of standard practice in cancer care and to be viewed as an adjunct therapy that helps to counteract the adverse effects of cancer and it's treatment.
  2. All members of the multidisciplinary cancer team to promote physical activity and recommend people with cancer adhere to the exercise guidelines.
  3. Best practice cancer care is to include a referral to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with experience in cancer care.

Are you looking for a more specialised program?

At TNW, we are proud provider's of the evidence based Women's Wellness After Cancer Program. This is a healthy lifestyle program to support individuals recovering from cancer treatment. It is focused on improving health and wellness in women who have had breast, blood or gynaecological cancer. This program also has two sub-branches - Women's Wellness After Cancer Program and the Younger Women's Wellness After Cancer Program. This is because the unique challenges that are faced at these different stages of life require different support.

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