Leading resource provides accessible support for cancer survivors and clinicians
Millions of individuals living with and beyond cancer can now find accessible, customized exercise programs to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation. ACSM’s Moving Through Cancer Program has announced an expanded Exercise Program Directory that is now available to cancer survivors, caregivers, oncology clinicians and exercise professionals.
With more than 2300 programs now part of the Moving Through Cancer Network, the Cancer Exercise Program Directory is a leading resource for exercise oncology practitioner referrals and patient inquiries. The redesigned directory now features the EXCEEDS algorithm, an evidence–based triage tool, allowing survivors to be matched with the type of programming that is most appropriate for their current functional ability, symptoms and goals. The programs are divided into four levels. From the most to least specialized, these levels include outpatient cancer rehabilitation (provided by a licensed therapist), clinical exercise programs (provided in a clinical setting), exercise oncology programs (provided in a community setting), or general exercise (traditional gym or home-based).
“This next generation directory moves us closer to our vision of ensuring all people living with and beyond cancer are assessed, advised, referred to and engaged in appropriate exercise and rehabilitation programming as a standard of care,” said Moving Through Cancer Founder Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH, FACSM. “There has never been easier access to a broader range of customized programs designed to help patients win the battle against cancer.”
The Moving Through Cancer Directory is designed to help cancer survivors, caregivers, oncology clinicians and exercise professionals find rehabilitation and exercise programs in their communities. Research shows that being active throughout the cancer journey and beyond can improve one’s ability to handle and recover from cancer treatments and may even prevent cancer recurrence. Moving Through Cancer is leading the way to make these benefits a reality for the 18 million cancer survivors living in the United States.
“Survivors want to know the resources available to them and to receive exercise recommendations from their oncology care team, but knowing where to go is a challenge for everyone” said developer of the EXCEEDS algorithm, Kelley Wood, PhD, MS, ACSM-CEP and CET. “The EXCEEDS algorithm is, essentially, a matchmaker between survivors and local resources. By implementing EXCEEDS in the directory, we hope to help survivors and clinicians to make informed and confident decisions and to improve access to these highly beneficial programs.”
Visit the Moving Through Cancer website for more information about the program, Exercise Program Directory and the Moving Through Cancer Task Force.
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Media Contact: Paul Branks, Chief Communications Officer
About the American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with nearly 50,000 members and certified professionals in more than 100 countries. Together, ACSM is committed to the mission of educating and empowering professionals to advance the science and practice of health and human performance. ACSM advocates for legislation to help the government and health community make physical activity a priority.
About Moving Through Cancer
The mission of Moving Through Cancer is to ensure all people living with and beyond cancer are assessed, advised, referred to and engaged in appropriate exercise and rehabilitation support services as part of their cancer care and recovery.
