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The Pink Ribbon Program

This program has been created to enhance recovery for breast cancer patients. The program helps stretch and strengthens shoulder, chest, and back allowing the patient to improve range of motion and strength to those areas most affected by breast cancer surgery, treatment and reconstruction

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PRP Corrective Shoulder Course

Make better decisions about the functional issues that can be addressed through a fitness program, appropriate movement assessments and resultant exercises, and when to refer.

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PLUS DIRECT, ONLINE, PATIENT ACCESS

TO OUR PILATES-BASED CANCER RECOVERY PROGRAM

ON-DEMAND OR LIVE VIA ZOOM • RECOVER IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME

Patient Video

The Pink Ribbon Therapeutic Exercise Program is 44-minutes of gentle movement focusing on improving mobility, function, strength and quality of life for breast cancer patients. The program helps patients recovery from lumpectomy, mastectomy and all breast reconstruction options.

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Zoom Sessions

Doreen Puglisi, MS is an influencer in the rehab recovery for breast cancer community and an expert on the effects of surgery and treatment on the physiology of the breast cancer patient. She will provide you with the most up-to-date knowledge about post-surgical exercise, recovery guidelines and fitness protocols.

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Exercise has been proven to help reduce changes or recurrence of cancer.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

during / after cancer treatment / surgery.

Research has found no harmful effects on patients with cancer from moderate exercise and, in fact, has demonstrated that those who exercised regularly had 40% to 50% less fatigue, the primary complaint during treatment.

Engaging in regular exercise increases muscle strength, joint flexibility and general conditioning, all of which may be impaired by surgery and some therapies. Exercise is known to improve cardiovascular function and to protect bones. It also elevates mood, offering drug-free relief for the feelings of depression that may accompany a cancer diagnosis.

Finally, exercise helps control weight — a crucial factor, as studies have shown that gaining weight during and after treatment raises the risk of a cancer recurrence, particularly for breast, colon and prostate cancers.

Pilates impact on Breast Cancer Treatment Recovery

1. Effectiveness of Pilates in cancer patients for pain and functionality measures: A systematic review

Summary: This systematic review aimed to assess whether Pilates-based interventions improve pain, functionality, and quality of life in adult cancer patients compared to conventional treatments. The review found that Pilates can significantly enhance shoulder mobility, muscle strength, physical well-being, and pain reduction—particularly among breast cancer patients and survivors. While improvements in fatigue, stress, sleep, and depression were less consistent, the overall evidence suggests Pilates offers meaningful physical and functional benefits for cancer patients.

Citation: Quintero-Lopez, D. S., Rosero, I. D., Guil, R., Fernández-Huerta, L., & Ordoñez-Mora, L. T. (2025). Effectiveness of Pilates in cancer patients for pain and functionality measures: A systematic review. European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society, 78, 102968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102968

2. The Effects of a Pilates Exercise Program on Pain, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors One Year Postsurgery

Summary: This study investigated whether a Pilates-based intervention could improve pain, functional capacity and quality of life in women who were at least one-year post-surgery for breast cancer. 44 breast cancer survivors completed 24 sessions of a 60-minute Pilates exercise program twice weekly; outcomes were measured at baseline, after 12 sessions and at completion (24 sessions). The findings showed that after 24 sessions, scores improved by about 61 %, pain scores significantly decreased, and quality of life significantly improved — suggesting that Pilates can be an effective rehabilitation strategy for this population.

Citation: Ferreira de Rezende, L., Thesolim, B. L., Dias de Souza, S., Bellotto Leme Nagib, A., & Fonseca Vilas Boas, V. (2022). The Effects of a Pilates Exercise Program on Pain, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors One Year Postsurgery. Oncology nursing forum, 49(2), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.1188/22.ONF.125-131

3. Pilates for women with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Pilates as a rehabilitation method for women with breast cancer, focusing on outcomes such as pain, upper-extremity function, range of motion, and quality of life. The authors analyzed seven studies published up to January 2017. Overall, Pilates was found to help reduce pain and improve self-reported upper-extremity function in breast cancer survivors. However, its effects on shoulder range of motion and quality of life were not significantly greater than those of other exercise interventions, suggesting that while Pilates offers meaningful physical benefits, it may be comparable to other forms of rehabilitation exercise.

Citation: Pinto-Carral, A., Molina, A. J., de Pedro, Á., & Ayán, C. (2018). Pilates for women with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary therapies in medicine, 41, 130–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.09.011

4. Effectiveness of Pilates-based exercises on upper extremity disorders related with breast cancer treatment

Summary: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a Pilates-based exercise program (PE) compared to combined exercise (CE: strengthening, stretching, ROM) and a home exercise (HE) regimen in 55 women who had upper-extremity impairments following breast cancer treatment. The study measured pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and functional status both before and after the interventions. It found that both the PE and CE groups showed significant improvements in nearly all outcomes, and while improvements in the PE group were similar to the CE group, both were superior to the HE group; thus, Pilates-based exercises appear to be an effective alternative rehabilitation option for upper-extremity disorders in this population.

Citation: Zengin Alpozgen, A., Razak Ozdincler, A., Karanlik, H., Yaman Agaoglu, F., & Narin, A. N. (2017). Effectiveness of Pilates-based exercises on upper extremity disorders related with breast cancer treatment. European journal of cancer care, 26(6), 10.1111/ecc.12532. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12532

OUR SUMMARY: Across research studies there is strong evidence to support using Pilates to optimize breast cancer treatment rehabilitation, specifically with regards to shoulder mobility. It has shown to be comparable to physical therapy regimens and better than home programs. In addition to improved mobility, strength, and function, evidence shows overall improvement in patients mood and quality of life.

BENEFITS OF THE PINK RIBBON PROGRAM

Regain Strength and Mobility in Affected Shoulder & Arm
Promotes Lymphatic Drainage, Helping to Prevent Lymphedema
Improves Functional Ability & Quality of Life
Enhances & Restores Energy Levels
Assists in Restoring Posture
Decreases Stress & Anxiety
Alleviates Pain & Swelling

The life-force of the Pink Ribbon Program

is to ensure that every woman has the ability to regain a sense of wellbeing that had been lost from diagnosis through surgery and into recovery. This can be achieved, in part, through an exercise therapy program designed specifically for the needs and challenges facing the growing number of breast cancer survivors. Rehabilitation is a key component often missing in the treatment of breast cancer.

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Testimonials

“The Victory Center has been offering the Pink Ribbon Program for years to our breast cancer patients. Our participants absolutely love it! They have great results and see improvement in their range of motion, flexibility, and strength. We’re so grateful to be able to help so many women through this program.”
Dianne Barndt, Executive Director, The Victory Center

“Amazing course providing details on how to make breast cancer surgery patient’s lives better. Learned so much about the surgery, cancer details, chemo and other areas that impact a breast cancer patient.“

“Eye-opening in terms of understanding what women experience medically, physically, and emotionally as they navigate breast cancer and strive to feel better in their bodies through the process and afterwards. A wonderful complement to my training.“

“Breast cancer treatment is an intense physical and psychological experience. Fortunately today more and more women are surviving and looking for safe and effective ways of recovering from the side-effects of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy. The Pink Ribbon Pilates Program was designed specifically for breast cancer recovery. Certified Pink Ribbon Pilates instructors use exercise to safely and progressively recover the mobility and strength of the body and specifically the shoulder, the chest and postural muscles. The research is compelling that exercise is a critical component of breast cancer recovery and a woman’s future well being. The Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Recovery Program is a welcome step in the right direction“