Taking part in exercise during your breast cancer treatment can reap great rewards. Have you experienced any of the following?

• Getting stuck into a tight-fitting blouse in the changing rooms.
• Having a child say “You don’t have any eyebrows, do you?”
• Asking the check-out girl at the supermarket to “make the bags light, please.”
• Wearing a scarf. Day after day.
• Wondering about wearing a wig because it’s windy outside and it might not stay on. 
• Wanting a greater range of arm and shoulder motion whilst holding on to the bannister for dear life – then this blog post is aimed at YOU.

Pink Ribbon Pilates is actively seeking women to attend our every Monday morning class at 11am,  – Kennington Scout Hut, Ashford, Kent TN24 9AN  aimed at those who are interested in taking part in exercise whilst in treatment or have been in treatment for breast cancer. 

Physical activity during and after treatment for breast cancer has been linked with prolonged survival and improved quality of life, with mortality rate being reduced by 34% after breast cancer diagnosis for individuals with higher levels of reported physical activity compared to those with the least amount of physical activity. 

UK breast cancer groups have said that women need more support to keep active after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Caroline Dalton, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says: “Physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis has been shown to improve a patient’s chances of survival and there is also some evidence that it may help to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning.“

Dalton also stated, “There are no specific UK guidelines in place at the moment to tell us precisely how much physical activity is needed after a breast cancer diagnosis, but Breakthrough Breast Cancer suggests aiming for 3.5 hours per week, after checking with your treatment team to see what is appropriate for you.”

We offer a terrific place to start or restart.  Come and be with other women and an instructor who understands. Pink Ribbon Pilates is a free weekly hour workout. Come join us – wear comfortable clothing (we have everything else you need!) and see if just for that day, your wellbeing did seem a little bit brighter.

To read more of this study: BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27740413)