Advocate Christ Hosts Breast Cancer Boot Camp Fitness Program

Submitted by Advocate Christ Medical Center.

When it comes to improving physical fitness for breast cancer survivors, it’s back to the basics – boot-camp style.

From March 3 through April 16 and, again, from April 28 through June 11, Advocate Christ Medical Center is offering two seven-week, 14-session programs designed to improve the aerobic ability and fitness knowledge of patients who have been treated for breast cancer and enhance their commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Called Breast Cancer Boot Camp, or BC Squared, the free program is led by a team of cancer survivorship and rehabilitation experts who have tailored classes to meet the particular needs of breast cancer survivors. The progressively challenging sessions combine cardiovascular exercises with stretching and strengthening. Participants are exposed to a variety of exercise styles, including yoga, weight training and Zumba, and learn about fitness topics such as water intake, proper nutrition and injury prevention.

Although many cancer support programs incorporate mind-body exercises like yoga and tai-chi, few have effectively utilized aerobic activity, even though aerobic exercise is known to reduce stress and alleviate fatigue – the most common complaints of cancer survivors, said Barbara Fuller, manager of adult outpatient rehabilitation at Christ Medical Center’s Neurosciences Institute.

Research has shown that a majority of breast cancer survivors – more than 70 percent – are overweight or obese. Maintaining a healthy body weight and undertaking regular physical activities can reduce the risk of some cancers and cancer recurrence, said Barbara Krueger, MD, a board-certified surgeon specializing in breast surgery at the Christ Medical Center Cancer Institute.

Program participants meet twice a week for guided exercise during the duration of the program. Sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 6 p.m. Classes are being conducted in the Gilda’s Club Chicago location on the ground floor of Christ Medical Center’s new Outpatient Pavilion, 95th Street and Kilbourn Avenue, in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

BC Squared is presented by the Neurosciences and Cancer institutes. The program is the result of collaboration among teams at the Advocate Christ Center for Breast Care, the cancer survivorship program and the physical medicine and rehabilitation department and is offered at no charge. It is is open to all breast cancer survivors in the community – not just Christ Medical Center patients.

The initiative is supported by grant funds provided through the state of Illinois’ Ticket for the Cure Community Grant Program. Noogieland in Gilda’s Club of Chicago is offering supervised play for young children of mothers who attend the classes. Arrangements for this service must be made at least 48 hours in advance by calling 708.684.9505 or sending an email to jessicasittig@gildasclubchicago.org.

Patients interested in the survivors’ boot camp can call 1.800.3.ADVOCATE (1.800.323.8622) and mention code 1C20 to obtain additional information or register.

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