THE Supports Local Hospice

If you happen to pick up The Hickory Daily Record today you’ll find an article about Through Healing Eyes on page A6. Recently, THE was able to give $10,000 to Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba County. Thank you to everyone who has donated to Through Healing Eyes. Your donations are what make grants like this one possible! Learn how you can donate to THE here! If you don’t have access to the Hickory Daily Record…you can view today’s article here…

THE-Hospice

If you’re interested in learning more about Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba County and the services they provide, check out the video below.

The New Guidelines for Exercise & Cancer

A panel of thirteen researchers with expertise in cancer, obesity, exercise, and fitness convened to develop new guidelines for cancer survivors and cancer patients under the American College of Sports Medicine. Treatment for cancer patients varies based on the type of cancer, therefore the guidelines have been tailored to meet the needs of a handful of different cancers, including breast cancer. The guidelines have two main goals regardless of which cancer one may have (We’re going to focus on these in relation to breast cancer, because that’s what we care about right? Right!):

1. Improve Body Image- Treatment for breast cancer can often alter women’s physical appearance whether it be through weight gain, a surgery, or hair loss. These changes can lead to negative feelings about their appearance, but there is strong evidence that exercise boosts body image. Having a positive self image is a way to drastically improve quality of life.

2. Improve Body Composition – Treatment for breast cancer can often lead to significant weight gain. With this in mind, the panel looked at exercise recommendations that would help bring survivors and patients back to a healthy BMI.

Dr. Schwartz writes, “Historically clinicians advised cancer patients to rest and to avoid activity; however…The roundtable concluded that exercise training is safe during and after cancer treatments and results in improvements in physical functioning, quality of life, and cancer-related fatigue in several cancer survivor groups”. In conclusion, the panel says, “stay active” during and after cancer therapy.

Tips for starting an exercise regimen during or after cancer treatment…

• If you are brand new to exercise, start by talking to your oncologist about physical therapy. As a breast cancer survivor, your trainer needs to be aware of special weight bearing exercises that prevent lymphedema as well as protecting the shoulder in the case of recent surgery.
• Check your local area for exercise programs targeting cancer survivors such as the Livestrong/YMCA partnership.
• Exercise doesn’t always mean going to the gym, stay active by doing the things you love. Garden. Take the dog for a walk. Or…you could come to one of Katheryn’s Yoga classes for breast cancer survivors! Check out the video of one of her classes.

Screening for Breast Cancer

Early detection saves lives. That is why screening for breast cancer is so important! In this post we’ll discuss the three main types of screenings beginning with the screening that all of us can do at home and ending with mammography.

First up is a breast self-exam. The main objective of this screening is to get you familiar with your breasts. If you practice a regular monthly breast self-exam then it is more likely that you will notice if/when something abnormal occurs. Below is a tool you can use to perform a breast self-exam. Please keep in mind that even if you are doing self-exams on a regular basis you should be sure to get the recommended clinical breast exam as well as mammographies.

Next in line is the clinical breast exam. Starting at age 20 you should be receiving a clinical breast exam by your health care professional who will use his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes.

Finally, mammograms. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are age 40 years or older, be sure to have a screening mammogram every one to two years. Most insurance companies and medicare cover the cost of mammograms. And, in many areas of the country, low-cost or free mammograms are offered through national programs and community organizations.

Become a friend of Through Healing Eyes on Facebook and watch out for T.H.E.’s next FREE Mammogram truck. xo

The information provided was  through The CDC and Komen.org

FREE Yoga At The Museum

Hello readers! First of all, thank you for all your support with the new blog…we’ve been having such a great time building this new space for you guys! If you’re in Hickory Wednesday July 21st and/or August 18th please join Katheryn at the Hickory Museum of Art for a FREE yoga class in the gallery. You will be surrounded by the inspiring artwork of Hickory native, Michael McCall and guided by the inspiring teachings of Katheryn Harlan! Did I mention this is FREE? So come out, support Michael McCall and his fascinating art while also supporting your mind & body through a yoga practice. You can find more information in the flyer below. Namaste!

An Aspirin a Day Could Keep Breast Cancer at Bay

A recent study conducted through the Nurse’s Health Study suggests that women living at least one year after breast cancer diagnosis could benefit from taking aspirin two to five times a week. Researchers followed 4,164 nurses in the United States who were diagnosed with stages I, II, or III breast cancer between 1976 and 2002. The women were asked to report their use of aspirin one or more years after completing breast cancer treatment. Data was collected until 2006.

The results of the study are very intriguing! Women who took aspirin two to five days a week were 60 percent less likely to develop metastasis and 71 percent less likely to die from breast cancer than those women who did not take aspirin. This finding held true across variables such as BMI, cancer stage, menopausal status, and estrogen receptor status.

So what does this mean for you??

If you are currently taking aspirin and have had a history of breast cancer this may give you some reassurance. It could mean that the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin are the link responsible for the reduction of recurrence. If that’s the case, then any non-steroidal inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen could also help reduce risk of metastasis. More research is needed to confirm aspirin as a drug for breast cancer patients, but if this finding holds true it could be a very effective and inexpensive way to help prevent recurrence.

Please remember that aspirin can also cause stomach bleeding or interact with other medications you’re taking, which could lead to increased side effects. Please check with your doctor before taking aspirin on a regular basis to make sure that it’s the right option for you and your body.

Read more about the study here!

Yoga For Cyclists @ Yoga with an Edge

Join Katheryn Harlan, Vicki Vanderlinden, and Chris Lynch on July 18th for a workshop dedicated to yoga for cyclists. This workshop promises to take you from the mat to the cycle with a calm mind and greater focus. Enjoy the ride! Namaste.

Through Healing Eyes: Our Story

As a breast cancer survivor, I know the importance of exercise for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. I was diagnosed with an early stage breast cancer on Valentine’s Day 2003 (by my radiologist husband) at my yearly mammographic screening exam. I was one of the more unlikely candidates for this disease as I had run competitively for 15 years, cycled for over 10 years, lifted weights, practiced yoga, maintained the same weight since high school and have never smoked. I chose an aggressive treatment plan, with bi-lateral mastectomies and re-construction. Because of the re-construction, I’ve not been able to compete at my pre-op levels, but my triathlete surgeon encouraged me to continue all of my previous activities, starting slowly and slowly building intensity.

I was not only on the bike, but in the gym and on the mat within months of my last surgery. Despite being pleased to return to athletics, I was disappointed with my slow return to form. The strength and stamina required for my yoga had diminished so significantly, and my form was so altered that I quit practicing for two years.

But I didn’t give up yoga mentally, and spent those two years researching the practice of yoga following breast cancer treatment. There was little information, but based on basic anatomy, interviews with cancer and reconstructive surgeons, as well as yogis, I modified asanas, developed vinyasas, and promoted a mental approach to yoga specific for breast cancer survivors. I progressed physically and psychologically so rapidly that I felt the need to share my new approach to yoga. After discussions with our local hospital, they sponsored my “New Beginnings” yoga class for breast cancer survivors. They have proven to be excellent partners, and together we have provided free yoga classes for breast cancer survivors for over two years. In fact they encouraged me to continue my yoga education, and in May 2009 I completed my 240 RYT certification.

Athletics have kept me grounded through this cancer journey, but yoga is truly transforming my life. I am thankful not for the cancer but have been blessed with a positive, introspective attitude and the seeds for a more meaningful life.

After my diagnosis I realized that many women are not as fortunate as I am, to have access to excellent healthcare. With the help of family and friends, I founded Through Healing Eyes, a non-profit organization to make diagnosis, education and treatment available to each person regardless of financial status. Using artistic photographs of regional breast cancer survivors, along with their personal words of inspiration and hope, calendar pages are created as daily reminders of breast health, advocating for breast cancer awareness and promoting a rich and meaningful life for those affected by breast cancer. We fund many breast cancer organizations including local wig banks, breast health education classes on college campuses, free mammograms and the Strides to Recovery program. The Strides program is a 12 week exercise program offered to survivors which includes a personal trainer, nutritionist and yoga.

-Katheryn Harlan (Founder & Director of T.H.E.)

Please join us as we blog about the journey from surviving to thriving alongside breast cancer.