Introduction:
As our population continues to age and medical fitness continues to evolve, health-fitness professionals are likely to see more cancer survivor clients in their practice. Cancer is a disease that affects both the mind and body. Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer in women and there are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors in the US today. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and drug therapy make the fight to recovery from breast cancer an uphill battle. Exercise is a proven modality to help regain strength, mobility, and return function to the upper torso, and other areas of the body that may be affected in reconstruction, after aggressive and moderate breast cancer treatment. Exercise has also been shown in research to help physically and mentally, and to be an important key in breast cancer prevention. This Specialist Certificate starts with an overview of cancer, how it affects the body, and keys to cancer prevention. Then you learn how to work with clients with breast cancer through knowledge of the disease, treatment, and the anatomy of the disease. You are taught safe and effective recovery and intervention using resistance training, flexibility exercises, water exercise, and Pilates-based exercises.