Tag: Exercise

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Benefits seen by Alberta Cancer Exercise participants

Medical research is important to build up the knowledge and evidence required for cancer treatment improvement. That’s why I’m proud to have participated in the Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) program. Since I have had to step back temporarily from work because of this awful disease, I might as well give back to the community through research related to cancer.

I’m 15 weeks into incorporating daily exercise (side-effects permitting) as part of my cancer treatment. I’ve completed baseline and 12-week testing, and will do so again at the 24- and 52-week marks, and annually thereafter for a total of 5 years of being followed in this study.

ACE’s goal is to work towards ensuring exercise becomes part of the standard of care for all cancer survivors. I am thrilled my oncologist prescribed exercise as part of my treatment plan, and I hope this valuable research will show the impact it has on active both patients and cancer thrivers.

ACE put together a short video for their recent “2019 Drive for Thrive” fundraiser. Watch to see how this program has positively impacted my wellbeing during my cancer treatment, and what it has done for other patients and thrivers.

https://vimeo.com/339048099

Are my blog posts interesting? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.

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Participating in cancer research

I’m excited to have been called by the AMBER Study. It’s a study that is looking at the impact of lifestyle and physical activity has on breast cancer (stages 1-3C) have on survivorship. The study started in 2012 and the final survivorship results should be available in early 2030. I’m one of the last 50 recruits being accepted into this study.

If I am going to get cancer, I might as well contribute what I can to research in the hopes of increasing survivorship for other cancer patients down the road. At least I am doing something positive for society with my shitty situation.

Today, I had anthropometric measures taken, as well as a PAR Q+ pre-screening and have a DXA Scan completed. Then, I had some fitness measures done, including the Bruce Treadmill Test. Lastly, paperwork! There are 4 questionnaires that will take approximately 3 hours complete. I have been sent home with 2 activity monitors that will be on me at all times (with the exception of bathing) for one week.

In doing my part for cancer research. I had to wear the big mask instead of the smaller mouthpiece because of my mouth sores. I dislike cardio on a good day. I dislike cardio more with a mask on even though it doesn’t change my breathing. It’s psychologically restrictive!

Are my posts motivating, uplifting or give you hope in the future of cancer research? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.

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Alberta is paving the Canadian path by incorporating a province-wide exercise program into cancer patients’​ treatment

I’m very excited to be participating in the Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) prgoram, which is study with ~1,000 cancer patients across Alberta to evaluate the impact of incorporating exercise as part of their treatment plan. I’m lucky that I was able to squeeze in at the tail end of those being accepted, since there were already over 700 patients already involved as of November 2018.

ACE was developed to provide this service, and to help individuals with cancer to better withstand and recover from cancer treatment. It is a 5-year study, which required me to have screening and fitness testing on Thursday. I officially start the program on Monday, which entails completing physical exercises tailored to your fitness level and adapted as I go through my treatments.

ACE will take my measurements again at 12-weeks, 24 weeks and at one year to see the effect of exercise on my physical activity levels, fatigue, pain and quality of life. I will also complete a questionnaire at the end of years 1 through 5. PS… That means I plan to be around in 5 years, I am not a quitter and I signed up for this study! 😉

This is just one more way that the University of Alberta, University of Calgary’s Health & Wellness Lab and Alberta Health Services are working together with many other partners to make our province a top notch cancer-treatment hub.

By next year, I plan to be back hiking, skiing / snowboarding and fully enjoying the great outdoors again with my family. ACE will make sure that I keep my strength up for that! In the meantime, I will keep moving by playing with my kids!

Prescribing Exercise For Cancer Treatment

I’m motivated to stay alive. If you feel so inclined, please buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.