For breast cancer survivors, a free dance class at Vassar Brothers Dyson Center for Cancer Care offers much more than just exercise.
“Because the women come regularly, they tend to form their own support group and really count on each other,” said Cathy Varunok, a registered occupational therapist who has been teaching the class, “Focus on Healing Through Dance and Movement,” for seven years.
The dance class is just one of several events featured throughout the area during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Incorporating the gentle movements of ballet and yoga, the dance class improves self-esteem and body image, as well as range of motion, flexibility, strength and balance. Just for kicks, props like boas and bubbles are incorporated into routines: “It’s a fun time, too,” said Varunok.
Originally designed for breast cancer survivors, the class has expanded to include people with Parkinson’s and other diseases. It meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Dyson Center’s second floor conference room.
This month, Vassar Brothers is also offering a discussion of lymphedema – a swelling of the arm that is a common side effect after breast cancer surgery – as well as free breast cancer screenings for uninsured women who are over 40 or who have a family history of breast cancer, on Oct. 25, 26 and 27 at various locations (call 452-2932 to register). To register to attend the discussion on lymphedema on Oct. 24 on the second floor conference room of the Dyson Center for Cancer Care from 7 to 8 p.m., call 483-6331.
Free screenings at Saint Francis
Sisters Network of the Mid-Hudson Valley is partnering with Saint Francis Hospital and the Dutchess County Healthy Partnership to offer free clinical breast examinations to every patient who registers and free mammograms for uninsured women over 40 on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. Reservations are required – call the Cancer Center at Saint Francis at 483-5959.
Sisters Network Inc. is a national organization of African-American breast cancer survivors.
Despite a lower rate of incidence of breast cancer among African-American women, the death rate remains higher than for white women, according to statistics available on the Sisters Network Web site.
“Breast cancer has had a devastating affect on African-American women,” said Margaret White, president of the Mid-Hudson chapter of Sisters Network. For more information about Sisters Network call 462-8052.
Saint Francis lecture on family history
“My mother had breast cancer. Does that mean I’m at high risk?”
Doctors are often asked about family history in relation to breast cancer.
Jonathan Clyman, Ph.D., a board-certified genetic counselor at Saint Francis Hospital, will be presenting a lecture, “Breast Cancer and Genetics: What’s the Connection,” on Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Atrium Board Room of Saint Francis Hospital.
Family history is one of the factors to consider when evaluating risk, according to Clyman. Some – but not all women with family histories of cancer – may be good candidates for a genetic test.
Cancer among family members puts women “at higher risk,” said Clyman, “so they should definitely let their doctors know about family history so they can get the proper surveillance, and they should ask their physicians if they think genetic testing or gene counseling might be helpful.”
Other risk factors for breast cancer include alcohol consumption, reproductive history (women who never had a child are at slightly increased risk), breastfeeding, exercise, diet and obesity. Age at the start of menstruation is another factor, as lifetime exposure to estrogen increases cancer risk, according to Clyman.