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More than 2.4 million breast cancer survivors live in the United States. Many women with breast cancer eventually require some kind of surgery, including a breast biopsy, lymph node biopsy or removal, breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy), mastectomy, or breast reconstruction. Any of these surgeries can affect a person’s ability to move their shoulder and arm or impair daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or even combing hair.

If you are facing surgery related to breast cancer, it is important to exercise before, during, and after the procedure. Proper and effective exercise will help you decrease any side effects of your surgery and enable you to resume your normal daily activities sooner. Of course, it is important that you talk with your doctor before starting any exercises and some exercises should not be done until drains and sutures (stitches) are removed.

The Arena Club’s Strength For Survivors program is geared towards cancer survivors and patients with an emphasis on strength training to replenish muscle mass lost during treatment. The program follows slow, progressive weight lifting twice a week that includes upper and lower body exercise in a small group setting. The Strength for Survivors program will give women empowerment over their own bodies and help them build the strength and endurance to move forward!