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conferenceseries
.com
Volume 2, Issue 3 (Suppl)
Breast Can Curr Res, an open access journal
ISSN: 2572-4118
Breast Cancer 2017
June 15-17, 2017
June 15-17, 2017 London, UK
5
th
World Congress on
Breast Cancer
Ruth McCrea, Breast Can Curr Res 2017, 2:3(Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2572-4118-C1-006
Exploring the effects of an exercise programme on women with breast cancer
Ruth McCrea
St Margaret’s Hospital, United Kingdom
Background:
Emerging evidence suggests that regular exercise plays an important role in improving physical function and
quality of life following a breast cancer diagnosis. Evidence also suggests it can reduce the risk of recurrence. Despite these
benefits, research has shown that women with breast cancer are known to reduce their activity during treatment and afterwards.
More research is required to explore what type of interventions may help these women become more active.
Design & Methods:
The breast unit charity, at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, funded a qualitative study to explore if running
exercise classes in the hospital gym would aid or initiate return to exercise. The classes ran weekly, for 6 weeks, led by a fitness
instructor, trained to CanRehab level 4 to ensure she had the requisite knowledge and expertise. 8 participants consented
to attend these sessions. They were interviewed prior to and after the classes were completed which were audio taped and
transcribed verbatim to ensure accuracy.
Results:
The exercise sessions had positive effects on all but one participant who did not enjoy the aerobic element. The main
study findings suggested that exercising with women in the same boat, with a specially trained instructor and being informed
of the benefits of exercise could help women to become more active.
Conclusion:
56 patients have now attended classes over the last year due to team referrals and continued funding. An on-going
service evaluation has highlighted 70% wish these classes continue and now a further class is running in the community.
Biography
Ruth McCrea trained as a RGN at The Royal London Hospital and is the lead Research Nurse in the breast unit at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, which runs
numerous trials in all aspects of breast cancer. She is a Member of one of the trials management groups. She has completed her MSc at The Royal Marsden and
St George’s University of London and her dissertation involved the setting up and exploring the effects of this exercise programme. Due to the positive outcomes
and further funding, these sessions are now being offered to all patients who attend the breast unit.
ruth.mccrea@pah.nhs.uk