Breast Cancer Survivorship
In recent years, Breast Cancer Survivor (BCS) Dragonboat teams have organized in a number of countries, providing the opportunity for women diagnosed with breast cancer to engage in International paddling competitions. Participation in active whole body exercise, such as paddling, using large skeletal muscles are proving beneficial for recovery from cancer treatment after effects. This presentation will provide data from an Internet answered by 750 women. 356 947% were aged 60-86, from teams in the United States 48%; Canada 28%; Australia 17%, New Zealand 5%, England 1%, South Africa 1%. 99% of these women had not paddled before breast cancer and selected participation in BCS teams as a cancer survivorship activity. The 32 question instrument
recorded their experience of breast cancer: exercise, treatments, lymphedema and other after effects, and the effect of dragon boat paddling on their well-being after breast cancer. Recent research has demonstrated that active whole body exercise such as paddling, using large skeletal muscles, produces a beneficial factor “myokines.” During the on-the water season, 89% of older women reported paddling 2-times a week or more. Reported benefits of paddling were: increased fitness 98%; feel better 92%; healthier 89%; stronger 89%; energized 88%; happier 83%. Of the 79 women 24% who reported having lymphedema after cancer treatment, 56% reported paddling had made their lymphedema symptoms “better.” Indicating the positive of participation in the BCS team, 87% said they would continue to paddle to keep physically active, 81% maintain a healthy lifestyle and 83%, have support of the team.
Mary Hamil Parker received a PhD in 1987 in Public Administration from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. An Andrus Foundation Post doctoral Fellow, Center on Aging, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 1985-86. 1989-1990, a Post Doctoral Fellow in the Injury Prevention Division, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. In 1995, Post Doctoral Fellow in Geriatrics at the Washington DC Area Geriatric Education Center, George Washington University. In 2005, she studied Palliative Care at Kings College London, England. Since 2001, Dr. Parker has served as President of the Institute for Palliative & Hospice Training, Inc., a foundation.
recorded their experience of breast cancer: exercise, treatments, lymphedema and other after effects, and the effect of dragon boat paddling on their well-being after breast cancer. Recent research has demonstrated that active whole body exercise such as paddling, using large skeletal muscles, produces a beneficial factor “myokines.” During the on-the water season, 89% of older women reported paddling 2-times a week or more. Reported benefits of paddling were: increased fitness 98%; feel better 92%; healthier 89%; stronger 89%; energized 88%; happier 83%. Of the 79 women 24% who reported having lymphedema after cancer treatment, 56% reported paddling had made their lymphedema symptoms “better.” Indicating the positive of participation in the BCS team, 87% said they would continue to paddle to keep physically active, 81% maintain a healthy lifestyle and 83%, have support of the team.
Mary Hamil Parker received a PhD in 1987 in Public Administration from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. An Andrus Foundation Post doctoral Fellow, Center on Aging, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 1985-86. 1989-1990, a Post Doctoral Fellow in the Injury Prevention Division, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. In 1995, Post Doctoral Fellow in Geriatrics at the Washington DC Area Geriatric Education Center, George Washington University. In 2005, she studied Palliative Care at Kings College London, England. Since 2001, Dr. Parker has served as President of the Institute for Palliative & Hospice Training, Inc., a foundation.