Sault College offers innovative breast cancer program

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT COLLEGE

************************* Sault College pilots rehabilitation program for breast cancer survivors SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - (September 9, 2009) - Sault College occupational therapist assistant/ physiotherapist assistant (OTA/PTA) program and the fitness and health promotion programs are offering a community service learning opportunity for students, while providing a unique program to cancer survivors in Sault Ste. Marie.

The pilot program for breast cancer patients who have completed treatment between March and September 2009 will be offered at Sault College this fall.

The program will provide fitness and physiotherapy assessments, an individualized home conditioning program, group exercise classes, and health education sessions on topics such as lymphedema and healthy eating.

There is no fee for participants.

“Our objective is to assist people to regain their stamina and to feel well again,” says Joanna MacDougall, coordinator of the OTA/PTA program. “There is increasing evidence indicating that those who make changes to their diet and exercise during and after cancer treatment will experience less side effects and less complications from the cancer treatment, improve their quality of life and may decrease the rate of reoccurrence,” says MacDougall.

Sault College’s commitment to a cancer rehabilitation program gives the college a chance to give back to the community and assist in improving underfunded health services for citizens.

Students will be provided with necessary field work placements required to achieve learning outcomes of their programs.

“Having the placements right here on campus is an added bonus to our students,” says Tania Hazlett, coordinator of the fitness and health promotion program at Sault College, who will be partnering with the OTA/PTA program for the project.

“This is a great learning opportunity for our students, and a great service for our local community. We are pleased to provide this and to use the resources at the campus to improve health and wellness here in the Sault,” says Hazlett.

In order to implement this pilot project, the program coordinators are currently looking for participants.

Anyone who has completed treatment for breast cancer between March and September 2009 and is currently experiencing fatigue and weakness may be eligible.

For more information and to register for this program, please call the Sault College Sports Injury and Physiotherapy Center at 759-2554 ext. 5437.

About Sault College

Sault College reaches students through post secondary, continuing education, apprenticeship training and third party contract training.

Sault College offers a full range of programs: certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, post-graduate certificates, degrees and apprenticeship programs.

Key performance indicator (KPI) surveys demonstrate that almost 90 percent of Sault College students are employed within six months of graduation and student satisfaction is among the highest in the province.

Sault College, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is one of 24 community colleges in Ontario.

Visit our website at www.saultcollege.ca for more information.

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