Southeastern Health’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation department is venturing into new territory with an innovative program for cancer patients. Survivorship Planning and Cancer Education, or S.P.A.C.E., is a program offering a type of rehab specifically designed to help cancer patients make healthy lifestyle changes.
“Waging the battle against cancer can be physically and mentally exhausting,” said Ash Walker, manager for SeHealth Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation department. “More than ever, it is important for individuals diagnosed with cancer to incorporate healthy lifestyle choices into their daily routines. Making healthy lifestyle changes reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases, offsets fatigue from cancer treatments, and reduces the risk of mortality.”
Recognizing this need, Gibson Cancer Center and Southeastern Lifestyle Center for Fitness and Rehabilitation have developed a healthy lifestyle modification program for cancer patients.
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15, the S.P.A.C.E. Program will welcome its initial participants. The first group of participants will have completed cancer treatment; subsequent groups may still be undergoing treatment while participating in the S.P.A.C.E. Program. This first class will receive individualized assessments, customized exercise prescriptions, and healthy lifestyle education. Referred participants will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. in a class format and participate in a total of 24 sessions.
The S.P.A.C.E. Program is unique in that it offers a multidisciplinary healthcare team which will supervise participants. The team consists of a medical director, oncology navigator, clinical exercise professionals, and nurses. Participant progress will be reported to referring providers.
All S.P.A.C.E. classes will be held at Southeastern Lifestyle Center for Fitness and Rehabilitation in Lumberton. For more information, contact Walker at 910 738-5403; option 2.
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