PINC exercise helped
Phoebe Roche was 29 when she discovered a lump in her breast a year ago.
Practising as a physiotherapist in the UK, Phoebe said it came as a shock, but today she says she’s one of the lucky ones.
She was guest speaker at the Manawatu¯ Cancer Society Daffodil Day lunch on Monday where she told how the “luck” was the support she received from family and friends because she could not work while undergoing treatments.
“My family came over to help me at the different stages of each of the hurdles, and there were many.”
It was while having treatments in the UK that Phoebe was introduced to the PINC and Steel cancer rehabilitation exercise programme that was developed in 2005 by Auckland physiotherapist Lou James.
“Exercise shifts illness to wellness,” Phoebe said. “The exercises can be done when someone is diagnosed, going through treatment and in recovery.
“They help maintain strength and quality of life.
“The side effects of treatments and the physical, emotional and social wellbeing benefit from the exercises at all the stages of cancer; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.”
She studied the PINC exercises on her return and is now a certified therapist which can only be delivered by a physiotherapist. Phoebe is only one of two certified therapists who are trained to work with women in the PINC exercises. ■ www.pincandsteel.com or contact the Manawatu¯ Cancer Society, 3565355