YWCA Australia’s free Encore breast cancer exercise and information program supports women who have experienced breast cancer to restore mobility, flexibility and confidence. Encore can help you strengthen and tone your arms, shoulders and chest, regain mobility, and improve your general fitness. Based around land and pool exercises and information sessions, Encore is safe, fun and therapeutic. The water resistance exercises can be tailored to suit individual capacity, and the warm water relaxes and relieves affected muscles.
We know that after treatment, many women experience fatigue, numbness, pins and needles, loss of mobility, and discomfort in their upper bodies. Encore can help relieve these treatment side effects through exercise.
YWCA Encore aims to help you:
- improve mobility and flexibility in your arms and shoulders
- relieve any discomfort you may be experiencing as a result of surgery
- reduce the potential risk of lymphoedema or manage existing lymphoedema
Importantly, Encore also focuses on mental health and wellbeing with a focus on body image, self-esteem and reducing stress and tension.
Encore is a proven program with on average:
- 80% of participants demonstrating increased strength
- 95% of participants demonstrating increased aerobic endurance
- 70% of participants demonstrating improvements in flexibility