Safe, individualized movement for people living with and beyond cancer
If you're curious whether safe movement might play a role in your recovery, we can talk
If you've been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering:
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Is it safe for me to exercise right now?
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Will movement help me regain strength and confidence?
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Where would exercise even fit into everything I'm dealing with?
For many people, exercise is the last thing they want to think about during treatment. That's completely understandable.
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“The standard weapons in the fight against cancer – surgery, chemotherapy and radiation – may soon be joined by something far simpler: EXERCISE.”
Atrribution: Melinda Irwin, PhD Yale University
Yale School of Public Health | Yale Caner Center
Exercise Before Treatment: Prehabilitation
Prehabilitation ("prehab") refers to beginning safe movement before surgery or treatment when possible.
Prehab can do three big things:
1. Preserve muscle and cardiovascular capacity
So after surgery you're not starting from zero.
2. Keep the brain's movement map alive
You stay an athlete in your nervous system, not someone who stopped moving
3. Protect long-term function
People who stay active before joint replacement almost always recover better mobility and endurance afterward.
Not everyone has the opportunity for prehab, but when it is possible, even small amounts of guided movement can help.
Linda joined the Yale School of Public Health research team in 2009, working on multiple national randomized clinical trials studying the role of physical activity in cancer treatment and survivorship.
She has worked on studies led by Melinda L. Irwin, PhD, a leading researcher in the field of exercise oncology. She was also one of the nation’s first fitness professionals approved to work with cancer patients through national certifications developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Linda also facilitates survivor exercise programs and is certified in the Strength After Breast Cancer program developed at the University of Pennsylvania.
Linda says, “ Don’t let the diagnosis define you!”
Featured in
The Wall Street Journal
Dr. Kathryn Schmitz- Penn State Caner Institute
What Survivors Say...
“Who would have thought that at my age I plan on being a beautiful bride. Cancer has changed my life forever; it has opened my eyes to what is possible and to enjoy the beauty around me. Sounds sort of corny, but I say it with a true heart. I am so happy!” - Susan M, Berlin, CT
“As a martial artist, yoga instructor and trainer, I am very familiar with the power of exercise. I still found Linda’s coaching to be extremely helpful in understanding how to train with Lymphedema. The approach is different-Linda’s depth of knowledge and many years’ experience emphasize how important learning from a professional is- for those recovering from- or living with- the cancer experience" Kathy K, Ontario, Canada
“I told all my doctors about working with you and how it made me strong and have more endurance and that I feel so much better I “sparkle” now! - Sheri K, Roscoe, IL