Sami Mansfield: The power of exercise and physical activity in cancer patients
Sami Mansfield, Founder of Cancer Wellness for Life, shared on LinkedIn:
“In 1999, I took a chance to take my professional career in a new direction by obtaining a personal training certification through the American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness)
I was incredibly proud of that accomplishment. I recall feeling extremely excited to share it with friends and family, most of whom had zero interest in my services but assured me they would pass on my name to others.
All I knew was that I had found my north star, and while I had many things to figure out to make this a “real job,” – this felt like MY place.
Several years later, in 2003 – so many things fell into place. I met a woman who changed my life and ultimately allowed me to change the lives of thousands of individuals, caregivers, and healthcare professionals who are impacted by cancer.
In 2003, there were no recommendations on exercise, and it was hands-off until someone was done with treatment. Advanced cancer? So sorry; just rest and wait to die. Tired, oh, that’s just normal after cancer.
Lost strength? Sorry about that, too; it might come back. Anxiety, depression, joint pain, lymphedema, fear of recurrence, weight gain.
Well, those are just normal, hang in there. I could go on and on. I’ve always loved the power of exercise and physical activity in working with people impacted by cancer and am thrilled to see the recommendations from powerful organizations like American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) American College of Sports Medicine, American Cancer Society and so many more – but the reality is, we are not making progress on changing behaviors.
Our oncology teams believe in the importance of exercise oncology. Every day, I hear healthcare professionals express their desire for their patients to be more physically active, sit less, and maintain their muscle mass.
However, they often don’t have enough time to discuss this important intervention, and more importantly, lack the resources to refer patients to appropriate programs and individuals.
There exist thousands of fitness professionals with diverse skills, exercise methods, and personalities who could help address these gaps. I’ve been contemplating how to bridge the divide between exercise and healthcare.
Last week, I had the opportunity to do a live webinar at ACE to introduce a new CME course on exactly this topic – and it is part of a 4-hour CME course launching next month! Want to check out the first hour?
Check out the link below! I would love to hear your feedback and comments here or DM me at [email protected]. Let’s be the change!”
Link to video.
Source: Sami Mansfield/LinkedIn
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