10TV: Finding Strength During Cancer Treatment

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But sometimes exercising can be hard, especially if you are suffering from medical challenges. After Mary Moore survived breast cancer, she turned to OhioHealth to learn more about how best to exercise now that things were different.

“Even though I did exercise before, there’s a lot I don’t know and there’s a lot I don’t understand so I’ve really leaned heavily on professionals that know better to help me through this journey,” Moore told 10TV reporter Molly Brewer. “So I would really emphasize, don’t be afraid to reach out.”

Laura Leach, clinical exercise physiologist at OhioHealth McConnell Heart Health Center, works with patients to help them learn and understand exercises that will best suit their needs during medical challenges, specifically cancer.

“One of the main things is that your body is very different during treatment and a lot of people don’t know how they’re going to react to exercise,” said Leach. “All they know is what they did before. And so, a lot of times what people will do is they’ll try to jump back into exercise and try to just do what they did before and that doesn’t work because they’re very fatigued or whether they’ve had a surgery or something or it’s been a while and so one of the most important things that we tell people is that you have to start slow.”

Moore was able to work on making a new normal when it came to exercise. She is now five years cancer free and works with Leach on her cardio and strength resistance.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there I think, too. Professionals can help you weed through some of that,” said Moore.

When it comes to exercise it doesn’t have to be running miles or lifting weights. For someone going through cancer treatment even the smallest things that get you up and moving can be beneficial.

“We use the word ‘exercise’ loosely, in that, you know, people think exercise has to be springing on a treadmill and when you’re in treatment, exercise could be a five-minute walk out to your mailbox,” Leach said.

Staying active not only keeps you healthy but can also be a source of motivation. watching your body be being able to grow and achieve new goals can help you continue to move forward during cancer treatment and after.

“When you see yourself getting stronger, it’s encouraging, and of course I think exercise helps with that,” Moore said.

To find more information on OhioHealth cancer rehabilitation click here.

You can view the 10TV story by clicking on their logo to the right.