Strong, Fit and Beautiful
From Cancer Survivor to Figure Competitor
by Domenick Salvatore, CSCS, CPT
Editor’s Note: You needn’t be a triathlete to realize the benefits of exercise. Studies suggest that just a few hours of moderate aerobic exercise per week may lower the risk of developing breast cancer, reduce the likelihood of recurrence and improve survival.
With a Ph.D. in Health Education, Dr. Leslie
Spencer is focused and passionate about
health and fitness. Before she began training
with me, her exercise regimen consisted mostly
of aerobics, so our work together began with
learning proper resistance training techniques.
Not long after we began working together,
however, she received devastating diagnoses:
both breast and ovarian cancer. Most women
would have stopped training altogether to
focus on surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation,
but Leslie did not panic. She continued
to train as much as possible, focusing more
on range of motion than resistance. I believe
that helped her to become better prepared
physically and emotionally for the challenges
of cancer treatment.
When Leslie completed treatment, she
began working with increasingly heavy
resistance, something that traditionally was
thought to cause lymphedema. New research
by Dr. Kathryn Schmitz at the University
of Pennsylvania is now proving this to be
incorrect: a controlled program of graduallyincreasing
strength training, in fact, improves
lymphedema. In August 2010 Leslie competed
in a professional figure competition; it was her
way of flexing her muscles and saying, “Take
that cancer!” She looked and felt amazing: an
unbelievable testament to the power of the
human spirit.
Exercise empowered Leslie to fight cancer head-on. Amazingly, she is healthier today than she was before her diagnosis. Never forget the power of lacing up your sneakers, putting on your sweatpants and breaking a sweat.
Domenick Salvatore is a fitness professional with over 10 years of experience. He is dedicated to promoting the benefits of exercise for cancer patients that can be applied to make significant changes in clinical practice. His goal is to help our healthcare system move towards prevention.
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