Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center

Exercise/Wellness Program

Wellness for Life:  For People Living With Cancer

In recent years, exercise has been receiving substantial attention as a method of advancing the quality of life of cancer patients both during and after treatment.  Studies indicate that exercise rehabilitation has been shown to significantly improve lung function, energy capacity, and muscular endurance and strength, and has decreased fatigue and depression in cancer survivors.  Exercise may also reduce side effects from chemotherapy, including neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and may reduce hospital length of stay for oncology patients. 

In response to these findings and to the growing requests for a local cancer exercise rehabilitation program, the Comprehensive Cancer Program and the Health & Wellness Center of CMMC are jointly offering a new exercise rehabilitation program.  “Wellness for Life” is a safe, affordable wellness program for oncology patients designed to improve health and wellbeing through physical exercise and conditioning, as well as mind/body/spirit modalities.  The program includes opportunities for individual consultation and evaluation with a personal health counselor; a group exercise program (see sidebar); and participation in the Cancer Wellness & Support Group. Patients must be referred to the program by their primary care physician, oncologist, or surgeon.  CMMC is seeking grant funding to enhance program offerings and supplement patient participation fees.  At this time, patients who cannot otherwise afford to participate in the program can apply for financial assistance through the Immediate Needs Fund. 

A committee comprised of individuals from both the cancer program and the Wellness Center, under the oversight of Dr. Jeffrey Miller, are working together to plan, develop, offer, and evaluate program offerings. 

Please contact Kerry Irish, the program’s coordinator, at 795-7118, for more information or to register. 

Patient Testimonial:

Since I was diagnosed with leukemia in October of 2002 my life has seemed to spiral out of control.  This disease has brought with it a lot of changes: hair loss, fatigue, depression, nausea… and one thing that I had not expected: weight gain. My hair is growing back finally, but the fatigue and depression hasn’t done much to promote an active and healthy life style.

After talking at length with my oncologist, Dr. Miller, about my situation, he suggested the Wellness for Life program, not only to help with my weight gain but also with the fatigue. I jumped at the opportunity!  I was anxious to regain some control of my life.

It has been one of the best things that has happened in my life since my diagnosis. I feel like I am actually contributing to my recovery. Going to the Wellness Center has forced me to get out on a daily basis, interact with people and get active again. The staff members at the Center are great! They all are very knowledgeable and positive and help me to stay motivated. Even the other patrons are supportive. I truly enjoy my time there, and the workouts just remind me how much I am fighting for.

 I am truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Wellness for Life program.

 Sincerely, Deborah J. McIntosh