Workshop at UH Cancer Center Emphasizes Role of Exercise in Cancer Recovery

HONOLULU (Hawaii News Now) – This past Saturday, approximately 120 individuals attended a complimentary workshop at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, aimed at showcasing how physical activity can aid those undergoing and recovering from cancer treatments. The event, titled ‘Let’s Move! The Importance of Physical Activity in the Cancer Journey’, included hula dancing, strengthening activities, and stretching exercises suitable for all physical capabilities.

Participants learned simple hula movements from Nā Wāhine Hula ʻĀkala, a hula group comprising cancer survivors. They also engaged in modified exercise routines such as squats, leg raises, and balance drills. Experts from the UH Cancer Center and REHAB Hospital of the Pacific shared insights into research that suggests physical activity can alleviate common challenges faced during treatment, including fatigue, anxiety, and depression. According to Dr. Jami Fukui, an Associate Professor at the UH Cancer Center, exercise can be very beneficial for those experiencing fatigue post-treatment. Attendee Nina Rapelline reflected on her own experiences, noting how exercise therapy contributed positively to her recovery. This workshop was part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and offered various resources on physical activity’s advantages for cancer survivors. Currently, the UH Cancer Center states that nearly 76,000 residents in Hawaii are living with cancer.