A Lived Experience of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Breast Cancer—A Unique Perspective of Exercise

Abstract

<p>An expanding evidence base highlights the benefits of exercise presurgery, during, and post breast cancer (BCa) treatment. However, the prescription of exercise to the BCa patient is still a much-underused treatment, and most BCa survivors do not meet minimum exercise recommendations. Furthermore, cancer is a very individual experience, so as with any exercise prescription (Ex Rx), exercise for BCa should be highly individualized and tailored to the patient and stage of treatment, including the posttreatment maintenance period. The present case study highlights the need to tailor exercise, using a holistic approach, considering both the physical and psychological sequalae that may impact an individual pretreatment, during treatment, and post-BCa treatment. The case illustrates the experiences and perspectives of an experienced exercise physiologist, educator, and researcher, who underwent BCa treatment, the subsequent posttreatment effects, and how these have influenced physical activity (PA) and exercise. Table 1 provides details of abbreviations relevant to the case</p>