london's first dragon boating team for those affected by cancer
We're here for anyone affected by cancer - men and women diagnosed with cancer, family members, friends and colleagues of those with cancer.
We're more than just a dragon boating team. We're a community of friendly, welcoming and positively determined individuals getting fitter, stronger mentally as well as physically together as we walk the waves.
We're more than just a dragon boating team. We're a community of friendly, welcoming and positively determined individuals getting fitter, stronger mentally as well as physically together as we walk the waves.
Why dragon boating and cancer ? |
Scientific studies have proven the benefits of Dragon Boating as regular exercise for those diagnosed with cancer. At least 20 studies of people with breast, colorectal, prostate, and ovarian cancer have suggested that being physically active lowers the risk of cancer recurrence and improves survival. It also helps in faster recovery from chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
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The initial diagnosis of cancer is a shock and has a huge impact on the patient, family and friends. Recovery is not always immediate, and cancer can become a focus of daily life for some time. Adjusting to no longer being the “cancer patient” and “moving on “can be physically and emotionally challenging. Dragon boating with people who have had similar experiences provides a new activity and focus. Plus, being part of a supportive, understanding and fun team provides motivation for getting fit and taking regular exercise.
Uniquely and very importantly, Wave Walkers is not run solely for those who have had a diagnosis of cancer. The team welcomes anyone who has been affected by cancer. Our ethos is based on caring for one another and not dwelling on circumstances, but acknowledging the journey each person is taking. We have a number of goals as a team. They range from training on the water every week, to improving our physical fitness, strength and psychological wellbeing.
Uniquely and very importantly, Wave Walkers is not run solely for those who have had a diagnosis of cancer. The team welcomes anyone who has been affected by cancer. Our ethos is based on caring for one another and not dwelling on circumstances, but acknowledging the journey each person is taking. We have a number of goals as a team. They range from training on the water every week, to improving our physical fitness, strength and psychological wellbeing.
Don't just take our word for it, research studies have also proven the benefits! Take a look below:
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Dragon boating originated in China over 2000 years ago and is now one of the world's fastest growing team water sports. The first Breast Cancer Survivor (BCS) team, the brainchild of a Canadian Sports Medicine Doctor and Exercise Physiologist, was launched in 1996 in Vancouver and aptly named "Abreast in a Boat" (many team members had had mastectomies)!
He wanted to test the effect of strenuous upper body exercise on lymphoedema, swelling caused by impairment of the lymphatic system. In breast cancer there is a life long risk of developing arm lymphoedema when the lymph nodes under the arm are removed and /or irradiated as part of treatment together with the effect on general well being. At that time many women were (and sadly sometimes still are) told that strenuous upper body exercise could trigger or exacerbate pre-existing lymphoedema. But results were very positive and subsequent studies have concluded that resistance exercise (like paddling) is safe for women and men recovering from conventional cancer therapies. Other studies conclude that paddlers report feeling stronger, have more energy, and have a "can do" attitude, and that paddling helped them to lead full and active lives. In an article in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology titled "One Stroke, With Twenty-Two People: Exploring Prostate Cancer Survivors' Participation in Dragon Boating", it concluded that "Dragon boating is a novel health promotion strategy for men with PC" and that it had proven physical benefits, but even more importantly, "participation in dragon boating was important for establishing a social support system and positively reframing their cancer experience."
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The Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy concluded in one paper in 2004 "People who engage in the occupation of dragon boat racing find it meaningful and develop new coping strategies. Participating in dragon boat racing can decrease stress and shift the meaning of having breast cancer to a more positive view of the experience."
Qualitative Health Research cites a 2008 paper entitled "The Contribution of Dragon Boat Racing to Women's Health and Breast Cancer Survivorship" which says "dragon boat racing contributes to women's social, emotional, physical spiritual and mental health" and "enhanced the women's survivorship of breast cancer" and that their findings "demonstrates the role of leisure in the health and well being of women who are breast cancer survivors."
In an article entitled "The Effectiveness of the Sport Dragon Boat Racing in Reducing the Risk of Lymphoedema Incidence" in Cancer Nursing July (2019 edition: An International Journal of Cancer Care Research), it was concluded that "dragon boat sport participants had more positive clinical and quality of life outcomes than did the women who did not participate in that sporting activity" and that "it would be important to make women with breast cancer aware of the practice of dragon boat racing"!
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There are now more than 140 breast cancer survivor's dragon boat teams worldwide. Of course at WW we are about all cancers and anyone affected by cancer and Cancer Research UK says being active can:
- reduce anxiety
- improve depression
- reduce fatigue
- improve QOL
- prevent or improve lymphoedema
- improve general physical function
