|
Earlier this year, Lincoln Memorial
Hospital started a Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation and Exercise
(CORE) program for cancer patients.
Stacy Hanger, who works with the program, said CORE is for anyone
who is going to go through, is currently going through or has
already been through chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery for
cancer. People can talk to the physician or call the hospital and
they can help those who need the program get started.
Right now, Hanger said the program is small, but it is growing on a
weekly basis as physicians and other people are learning about it.
Treatments for cancer is hard on the heart and so is chemotherapy.
Hanger said there is an increased risk of coronary artery disease
after therapy. Exercise has proven to reduce the risk of heart
disease, so it is one more benefit of doing the core program.
Participants in the program will do cardio work in addition to
weight or resistance training to help them regain strength plus
restore energy lost during treatment. Hanger said the program is
also going to be offered to people that have not started treatment,
rehab or are currently going through treatment as a way to help keep
up their energy and strength.
[to top of second column] |
When people begin the CORE program,
Hanger said at the beginning they will come two days a week on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. They will be working in an environment that
is safe, supportive and supervised.
The long-term goals of the CORE program are to get the patient
stronger, increase their energy and help them overcome the fatigue
that comes with treatment.
For more information about this program, call Lincoln Memorial
Hospital at (217)732-2161.
|
