Specialist classes which help patients to overcome problems associated with treatment for breast cancer are continuing thanks to the help of charitable funding.
The sessions are offered to everyone who receives treatment at Ipswich Hospital and take place over six weeks. Run by qualified instructors Zoe George and Theresa Palmer, they are designed to help tackle some of the common problems associated with treatment, which can include stiffness, lack of strength and restricted movement in the shoulders, neck and back.
The classes are entirely funded by donations, and have recently been boosted by grants from Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity and Art for Cure, a Suffolk-based charity which raises money for breast care support services and donates to national research projects through the sale of art and sculpture.
Macmillan survivorship lead Louise Smith, who is based at Ipswich’s John Le Vay Cancer Support and Information Centre, said: “Our breast exercise sessions have made a real difference to hundreds of patients since they were launched, with many finding them fun and valuing the peer support they provide. We’re delighted that this charitable funding means they will continue to help even more people in the future.
“Exercise is really important before, during and after treatment for cancer as it helps to boost recovery and prevent recurrence. The sessions include exercises designed to address the side effects of surgery or radiotherapy while improving people’s posture, range of movement and shoulder and upper back strength. They also redress the balance in the upper body while reducing the risk of developing lymphedema, which can be a serious long-term condition.
“We receive consistently good feedback from people who attend, with many saying their range of movement has improved and they have less pain, discomfort and tightness around scars. This is great news as it means they are able to get back to doing the things they enjoy more quickly.”
For more information about Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, visit https://colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/
To find out more about Art for Cure, go to www.artforcure.org.uk
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