Each week MidState Medical Center’s second floor conference room transforms as breast cancer survivors come together to practice Pilates. Led by doctor Linda Durhan, MD, these women exercise their bodies, share stories, and work toward restoring their health.
The program began in November 2006 when Durhan, an attending radiologist and certified Pilates teacher, realized the exercises could be beneficially applied to breast cancer recovery. She explains, “I thought I had a way to help breast cancer survivors. Pilates would help patients feel good about themselves- restoring their bodies, balance, core muscles, self-esteem, and level of fitness in a gentle way.”
Teamed with Midstate’s breast cancer coordinator Kathy Clements, RN Durhan implemented a pilot program funded with a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Clements sought out eight volunteers and Durhan instructed them once a week for an hour-long Pilates session. Each participant received a brochure explaining Pilates basics and benefits, along with a pamphlet detailing each exercise. The coordinators used surveys to measure the pilot’s success. Before the eight-week trial, each woman was asked about her level of physical activity and quality of life. Clements recalls, “Most… actually, all the women were inactive. Having just come out of a battle with cancer, they weren’t in the best mental states.” At the pilot’s completion, each woman saw her quality of life improve and credited Pilates as having a major effect on her physical and mental happiness.
As the program continued, the group gained strength and confidence. Durhan witnessed the class’ progress first hand and remembers, “We began from scratch. And now… now they can do almost all the exercises.” The women saw their bodies tone and felt physically stronger.
Such physical benefits are just one of the program’s rewards. The women benefit mentally as well. They have all survived a similar experience and bond through that struggle. “It’s so nice to have people in a common situation. Everyone is there because they want to feel better and be more fit. We learn from each other. We cheer for each other,” notes one participant. The women enjoy exercising in a group and think “it’s much easier. For them, it’s camaraderie. They talk. They share. They push each other.”
MidState’s Pilates class is offered free of charge. Patients coming out of cancer treatment are used to large medical bills and co-pays. Clements thinks of the program as a “little gift we can give these women. What we do here is for no charge. That is huge for these patients.”
Just over a year old, the program is immensely successful. Currently, the hospital offers classes on Thursday evenings from 5-6pm and Durhan volunteers her personal time to teach. As demand increases, perhaps more classes will be added. This will be a step toward helping Durhan reach her ultimate goal: implementation of Pilates for breast cancer survivors as part of cancer aftercare in all hospitals.
Durhan is overwhelmed by the success of her small program and the ways in which each participant has grown and healed. She and Clements firmly believe the success they continue to witness on a small scale can be easily recreated nationally.
Written by Jennifer Opalacz