Cancer-Related Fatigue Program Outreach
An Individual Exercise Program. State-of-the-art Fitness Center; No Cost to You
Cancer-related fatigue, or CRF, is very different from “everyday” tiredness. Individuals with cancer-related fatigue experience an overwhelming sense of tiredness, or exhaustion that is out of proportion to the activity they have undergone. CRF interferes with normal day-to-day functioning.
What can I expect from PBA's Cancer-Related Fatigue Program?
- A comprehensive physical therapy evaluation
- An individualized exercise program based on your specific needs
- An eight-week program, meeting three times weekly
- Physical Therapist supervised
- A specialized cancer rehabilitation health care practitioner is available to initially evaluate you and monitor your progress in the program
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Cancer Certified Exercise Trainers
- State-of-the-art fitness center within the Greene Complex for Sports and Recreation, with easy access and front-door designated parking for participants in the CRF Program; lockers are also available
- Continuous communication with your referring physician in order to adjust your program when changes in your medical regimen occur
Contact
Call today for a free Consultation (561) 346-1773. Feel free to contact us anytime with any questions, for a consultation, or to arrange for a tour of our facility.
Stephen Sylvester,
DPT, CSCS, CCET
Assistant Professor Exercise
Science/Director CRF Program
Email or call: stephen_sylvester@pba.edu
Phone: (561) 346-1773
FAQ
It is recommended that you are medically cleared by your physician. If your physician feels that you are ready to start exercise, the Cancer-Related Fatigue Program at Palm Beach Atlantic University can help. You can also be evaluated by the CRF Program doctor who specializes in cancer-related medical problems.
The Cancer-Related Fatigue Exercise Program at Palm Beach Atlantic University is offered at no cost. Our mission at Palm Beach Atlantic University is to reach out to members of our community and offer needed services that may not be available elsewhere, or may be unaffordable.
A lack of energy or interest in doing everyday basic activities, such as:
- Eating, bathing and dressing
- Spending more time in bed and more time sleeping
- Feeling exhausted, even after sleeping
- Inability to work
Although the causes are not fully known, CRF is related to cancer treatment, such as radiation and chemotherapy. There are many contributing factors, such as low red blood cell counts (anemia), improper nutrition, lack of sleep, too little exercise and possibly changes in the “power-plants” of the body’s cells.
Yes. CRF is estimated to affect up to 90 percent of patients that are treated with radiation and up to 80 percent of those treated with chemotherapy.
There are several ways to treat CRF. For most people, slowly increasing exercise is one of the most effective methods. Initially, the exercise plan may need careful planning and monitoring by a therapist. Your physician can help you decide if such a program is right for you now.
Yes! There have been many experimental studies that have asked this same question and the results have been very good. In fact, exercise appears to be one of the most effective treatments when compared to all other “non- pharmacologic” (or non-medicine) interventions for cancer-related fatigue. These studies have also shown that exercise is safe for most people who have or have had cancer.