PINC & STEEL is a cancer rehabilitation program for men and women who are receiving or recovering from cancer treatment, run by fully qualified cancer rehabilitation physiotherapists.
63 New Zealanders a day are being diagnosed with some form of cancer reports the Cancer Society. This is an alarming statistic. Thankfully due to extensive research, the management and treatment of cancer is more effective than ever, therefore making the survival rate higher.
PINC & STEEL trained physiotherapists are there to help you through your cancer journey. They will not only guide your rehabilitation, in the context of any physical or functional limitations from treatment, but also give hope, strength and courage.
The PINC & STEEL program for cancer survivorship is based on knowledge from experts in the oncology field. Individualised programs are designed to help people heal as well as possible and function at optimal levels through every stage of their treatment and recovery. The programs incorporate one-on-one physiotherapy rehabilitation and exercise prescription, progressing to specialised group exercise classes.
GETTING PHYSICAL WITH CANCER
More and more research is demonstrating the effectiveness of cardiovascular and strength training for those going through their cancer treatment. In fact, physical activity has been proven to be one of the most effective strategies for prevention and recurrence of breast cancer & bowel cancer[1].
Physical activity helps patients recover from the associated side effects of anti-cancer treatments. Individualised pilates or gym based exercise programs positively increase strength, balance and fitness. More importantly there is also the psychological effects of giving that patient back some control. In addition, exercise is very effective in reducing treatment associated fatigue, improving overall wellness and mood, increasing self-esteem, and it can decrease anxiety or depression.
This growing field of research also demonstrates that active cancer survivors have a lower risk of cancer recurrence in comparison to inactive survivors. Exercise can be from going for a walk around the block with your dog, a swim or bike ride whilst also incorporating the above gym, pilates or home-based programs catering to the needs of the individual. This includes taking into consideration type of cancer, current and future treatments, patient and specialist orientated goals, and overall wellbeing and energy levels to name a few.
If you know of someone, or are going through your own cancer journey, PINC & STEEL would be an amazing addition of support. Ponsonby Physio has been involved in the PINC program for five years now. We currently have two trained physiotherapists, and a third is completing training in his STEEL program later this year *(Update 2020: training completed!). To be qualified in this program our participating physiotherapists complete regular, dedicated professional training modules and are exposed to the latest research on treatment and rehabilitation covering all cancer types, stages and ages of people.
Here at the clinic, so many of us have been touched by cancer, or have known loved ones affected by this devastating diagnosis. Being able to gain new skills to help, support and encourage others through their own journey is one of the most rewarding parts of this job.
Please contact our clinic today to be put in touch with one of our qualified PINC & STEEL therapists.
[1] American College of Sports Medicine. “Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention and Survival: A Systematic Review.” McTiernan et al., 2019.
