medical wellness
WORLD WORLD
FOCUS LEASE OF LIFE
KATE CRACKNELL TALKS TO ERIN ERCOLINE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THRIVEWELL, ABOUT ITS DIVA EXERCISE AND NUTRITION PROGRAMME FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
What is ThriveWell, and when was it set up? ThriveWell Cancer Foundation is an organisation that’s dedicated to finding a cure for cancer by
funding cancer research, providing patient support and offering programmes to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Its motto is: “Empowering cancer patients and survivors to thrive.” It’s based at The START Center for Cancer Care in San
Antonio, Texas, US. However, although ThriveWell was established in 2007 by one of START’s medical oncologists, Dr Amy Lang, it operates as a standalone charity.
Scientific studies show the importance of
exercise and nutrition in the battle against cancer
Why was ThriveWell created? ThriveWell was essentially set up in response to a number of scientific studies that demonstrated the
importance of exercise and nutrition in the battle against cancer – specifically breast cancer. In 2005, a Harvard study showed that 92 per cent of
women who exercised between three and five hours a week were alive 10 years after their breast cancer diagnosis, compared to 86 per cent of women who exercised less than one hour a week. In December 2006, the WINS Trial (Women’s
International Nutrition Study) showed that women with early stage breast cancer who followed a low-fat diet had a 24 per cent reduction in recurrence or new primary breast cancers compared with women who ate as usual. More recently, a WHEL Trial (Women’s Healthy Eating
and Living study) showed a 50 per cent reduction in mortality for breast cancer patients who exercised an average of 30 minutes a day, six days a week, and ate at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. These results exceed those of many conventional cancer
therapies, but few patients are aware of the data. Drawing on these findings, as well as her own extensive research into breast cancer, Dr Lang therefore decided to set up ThriveWell to help bring the benefits of healthy living to people suffering from this disease.
How does ThriveWell work? We offer a range of services for cancer patients in the San Antonio area. Hospital treatment can be
expensive, and for eligible adults we offer assistance to cover co-insurance costs of chemotherapy or radiation treatments. We also pay for and co-ordinate transportation services for cancer patients to and from their treatments. In addition, we fund cutting-edge research into cancer treatment and undertake a campaign of public advocacy to try and accelerate progress towards the cure of cancer. Running alongside this, we have a specially created DIVA programme (Deriving Inspiration and Vitality through Activity) at four sites in the San Antonio area, offering exercise and nutrition classes for breast cancer patients and survivors.
58 Read Health Club Management online at
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