Sally Littlewood is inviting people who have undergone cancer treatment to join her wellness and exercise program at Seymour Health.
Photo by
Billie Davern
While coming to the end of cancer treatment certainly feels like crossing a finish line, a returning wellness program emphasises the importance of having a smooth transition back to ‘normalcy’.
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Seymour Health’s Cancer Wellness and Exercise Program, which is supported by Cancer Council Victoria, sets out to provide a smooth transition for people post-treatment.
Physiotherapist Sally Littlewood, who will facilitate the “tried and tested” program, said it was all about offering extra support to cancer survivors with a “very holistic” approach.
“It’s for people to try to return to some sort of normality after they’ve had cancer and had treatment because often their life is suddenly taken over, they’re busy with everything else, they’re being looked after by a cancer centre, and then suddenly they’re sent home and they’re ‘okay’. But, things are not the same as they were before.,” Ms Littlewood said.
“So, it’s aimed at giving people the tools and confidence to get back to some sort of normality, improve their fitness, get them back into exercising, help with fatigue management, and help with the symptoms that have occurred because of the cancer and the treatments.”
The eight-week program, which also includes an additional two weeks of pre- and post-assessment, involves two key components: exercise and education.
While it will be conducted in a group setting, the exercise component will see each participant receive tailored and individualised programs including a combination of strength and aerobic exercises, which can be taken home.
Nicole Taylor receives guidance from physiotherapist Sally Littlewood in a mock display of what the program would be like.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“I tend to tailor it so that the majority of the exercises can be followed up at home, and I don’t tend to use a lot of equipment because there’s no point in them using it here and then not again,” Ms Littlewood said.
“I’ll give them the exercises that they can take home, and each week we’ll look at what they’re doing and see if we can increase the numbers or progress it.”
The education side of it involves a team of professionals — including a nurse, physiotherapist, dietician, occupational therapist and social worker — who will each give presentations touching on navigating life after cancer treatment.
While the free program offers a number of practical benefits, it’s also the unseen improvements that Ms Littlewood said she received the best feedback about.
“One of the main things that people have said when they’ve done it is the fact that they’re in a group with others who understand or have had a similar journey and are understanding of what’s going on in their lives,” she said.
“In the past, they’ve actually formed contacts (through the program) before.
“When I’ve done feedback on past courses, that’s been the major thing that people have said they got benefit from; the interaction with others that have a bit of understanding of what they’ve been through.”
For more information about the program and its eligibility requirements, or to join, contact Ms Littlewood on 5735 8050 or Sally.Littlewood@seymourhealth.org.au
