Studies conclude ballroom dancing can help breast cancer patients and survivors by encouraging them to exercise and improving their emotional health.
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual international health campaign designed to increase awareness of the disease. Hosted by the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc., the campaign encourages people to do their part to raise awareness, promote early detection, treatment and palliative care. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458,000 deaths from breast cancer each year, according to the World Health Organization. Approximately one out of every eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, Breastcancer.org reported.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios encourages women at all stages of their cancer journey to join them to learn about the positive impact ballroom dancing can have on their mental and physical health. A study by the National Institute of Health revealed that patients undergoing cancer treatment, as well as their partners, benefited from ballroom dancing.
Get Energized. Undergoing treatment and recovering from breast cancer takes a huge toll on the body. Ballroom dancing offers a low-impact aerobic exercise to get your blood pumping at your own pace. Women can take it slow by starting with a waltz or foxtrot before kicking up the tempo with a salsa.
Focus on the Positive. Certified dance instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studios strive to make learning to ballroom dance a fun and rewarding experience. Taking time to try a new activity will provide a welcome relief for women focused on their illness. Dancing can help them relax and enjoy moving on the dance floor.
Increase Self-Confidence. Breast cancer takes a toll on patients and survivors. The physical effects of treatment may prevent patients from completing everyday tasks, and changes to their body following surgery may make women feel unattractive. Ballroom dancing can help boost self-confidence and let breast cancer patients feel alive and comfortable with their bodies.
Check out these stories of amazing women who turned to ballroom dancing to help them heal.
Linda Johnson of Colorado is a three-time cancer survivor who used ballroom dancing as part of her recovery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyOwvbeao-8
Robin Schwartz shares how her local Fred Astaire Dance Studios location in St. Charles, Illinois, introduced her to the healing and therapeutic power of ballroom dancing. It helped play a role in relieving her post-treatment depression.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kzw7zwraWw
Professional dancer Olivia Hutcherson, 27, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gY4F6vPxPE
Cancer survivors take part in a special dance class in England that helps improve their self-esteem and restore their confidence. In this clip, the class performs biodanza, a unique style of dancing designed to improve physical health and well-being. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEe2IDif5qs
Contact your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios location to find out about special promotions they are offering to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
