Breast-cancer patients to gain strength through Y program

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Breast-cancer surgery patients seeking ways to regain their strength, flexibility and range of motion may want to look to the new Pink Ribbon Program at the D.D. and Velma Davis Family YMCA for answers.

The Pink Ribbon Program, scheduled to get under way later this month, is based on Pilates training, featuring exercises that teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles. The training will run for six weeks with two 30-minute sessions a week.

Pilates is a form of exercise that helps to develop core strength, flexibility and joint stability. It has grown to be the fastest type of exercise in the world proven to get results, said Doretta Hegg, coordinator of the Pink Ribbon Program and a fitness instructor at the Davis Y.

“When I danced professionally in New York City, I studied Pilates. It was the secret weapon to help one to improve their technical training,” said Hegg, a Pilates master practitioner with a master’s degree in physical education and dance.

The Pink Ribbon Program was developed by a breast-cancer survivor to help survivors regain mobility and improve quality of life. The program uses props such as the Thera-band to add resistance to help improve muscle strength and flexibility, she said.

Hegg, of Boardman, and three other fitness instructors at the Davis Y — Lisa Paris, Kelly Wright and Barbara Malizia, all of Poland — will teach the classes.

“I feel very strongly about helping women transition from surgery to a wellness program such as Pink Ribbon and regain life activities,” said Paris, who has a Pilates background and has studied dance.

More often than not, women are not rehabilitated adequately after breast surgery and lose range of motion and suffer pain; also, scar tissue develops, not to mention the mental and emotions issues that go along with it, Paris said.

“It’s overwhelming for people dealing with those kinds of health issues. “Physical fitness addresses mind, body and soul,” she said.

The nice things about this program are its low cost, no special equipment is needed, and it teaches skills that can then be used at home, Paris said.

Wright said there is a huge need for a postoperative-recovery program such as the Pink Ribbon Program.

“I have several friends who are breast-cancer survivors who were not referred to any follow-up exercise program,” said Wright, a registered nurse who also works at the Salem Community Center.

She said physical training helps prevent lymph edema, the accumulation of lymphatic fluid, which can occur when the lymph system is stressed and can lead to infections. The post-operative workout enhances recovery, helps fight depression, gives the participants a sense of purpose and gets them with a group of people going through the same experience, Wright said.

“I got involved because I believe in the Pink Ribbon Program,” said Malizia, who has been a Pilates instructor for five years.

People interested in the Pink Ribbon Program should call Larry Jensen, Davis Y fitness director, at 330-480-5659 or Hegg at 330-885-7696. The cost is $120 for six weeks for nonmembers and $100 for members.

Hegg and Jensen urge people considering the Pink Ribbon Program to talk to their family doctor before participating.