Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust's "Rehabilitation Scheme" was in partnership with Pinc & Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Trust.
Rehabilitation is probably the last thing on your mind after going through months of gruelling chemo/surgery, but it is one of the most important steps in the journey to a long term healthy recovery and can reduce bowel cancer recurrence by up to 28% and up to 44% in other cancers.
In May 2018 experts at the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, endorsed by 25 other cancer organisations, launched a position statement about the role of exercise alongside surgery, chemotherapy or radiation in order to counteract the negative effects of cancer and its treatment.
It’s the first-ever researcher-led push for exercise to be part of a cancer patient’s treatment.
The researchers recommend patients be prescribed:
- At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise, like walking, cycling, jogging and swimming each week
- Two to three resistance exercises (lifting weights) each week
Data shows 1 in 4 people are affected by physical and/or emotional impairments after their treatment with little focus placed on rehabilitation programs for survivors.
There is no health service or ACC funding in New Zealand to help people rehabilitate after bowel cancer treatment, and is often a financial burden for many Kiwi families.
Over 3000 Kiwis are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year and with the bowel screening program roll-out, more people will be surviving a cancer diagnosis.
Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust was proud to be a funding partner with Pinc & Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Trust to help those bowel cancer survivors thrive after their treatment and get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust financially supported a number of bowel cancer survivors each year to take part in one of four rehabilitation programs available throughout New Zealand.
Bowel Cancer Foundation Trust payed for the rehabilitation of patients like Charlotte Blick, helping to reduce cancer reoccurrence and secondary illnesses. See the 6-minute video below on Charlotte's story...