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Young Adult Cancer Survivor and Exercise Study

July 27th, 2011 | Posted by mllblog in Cancer Patients - (0 Comments)

The FITNET (Fostering Improvement Through Networking and Exercising Together) program

Purpose of this study: FITNET is a web-based research program designed to teach young adult cancer survivors strategies that can help them increase physical activity. The program is aimed at improving physical activity among young adult cancer survivors.

What will happen during this Study? You will have access to a Facebook group and websites with information and strategies to help cancer survivors become more physically active and improve their health. Information and tips are posted through Facebook each week for 12 weeks. Participants assigned to one Facebook group will be encouraged to participate in 16 Facebook group discussions and use an exercise website over the course of the 12-week study. We will ask all participants to complete two online questionnaires and to record the number of steps taken over two 7-day periods, once at the beginning of the study and once at the end, after 12 weeks. You will also receive a $30 gift card for completing all study-related questionnaires.

What are the risks from participating in FITNET? We do not anticipate any personal risks or discomforts involved from participating in this study. Experts have determined that exercise is safe after cancer treatment, and inactive people who gradually progress over time to relatively moderate-intensity activity have no known risk of sudden cardiac events, and very low risk of bone, muscle, or joint injuries. Some people may feel shy or uncomfortable about revealing personal information about their experience as a cancer survivor.

 If you think you might be willing to help us with this important research:

Please go to: www.fitnet-unc.org  to learn more about the study and see if you qualify.

 If you have any questions about the study, please send an email to fitnet@unc.edu.

 The study was approved by the Public Health-Nursing Institutional Review Board at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Study # 10-2150) on 12/16/10.

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Cancer and Exercise

July 21st, 2011 | Posted by mllblog in Cancer Patients - (0 Comments)

Exercise can potentially lead to better quality of life outcomes in cancer patients according to a few studies. It doesn’t have to be strenuous activity, just something to get you off of the couch, or out of bed. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Be sure to ask your doctor about exercising. Different treatment paths lead to different side affects. For example, prostate cancer patients that underwent androgen deprivation therapy have an increased risk factor of fractures, so any exercise routine should keep that in mind. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Many nonprofits and cancer centers have yoga sessions specifically for cancer patients. Find one in your area. Besides the exercise, it’s a great way to find support from other patients as well.

For Survivors:

LIVESTRONG has an exercise for survivors that are post treatment to help them adapt to their “new normal”

The program has the following goals:

  • Help participants build muscle mass and muscle strength
  • Increase flexibility and endurance
  • Improve functional ability
  • Reduce the severity of therapy side effects
  • Preventing unwanted weight changes
  • Improving energy levels and self esteem
  •  Develop their own physical fitness program so they can continue to practice a healthy lifestyle, not only as part of their recovery, but as a way of life.

 

Find a program near you LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

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