A new day of approach to the sport of Dragon Boat, dedicated to women who have faced or are facing breast cancer, but also to healthcare workers. Great participation at the Società Canottieri Padova for the open day promoted by the association UGO (Unite garemo ovunque). The event was attended, among others, by the regional councilor for Health and Social Affairs Manuela Lanzarin, the vice president of Lilt Padova Gianluigi Recarti, the president of the Onlus UGO Valeria Mazzucato.
The initiative is part of the project for the promotion of dragon boating as a psychophysical rehabilitation activity aimed at women with previous breast cancer, approved with DGR 1390 of 20 November 2023.
Six days, organized in the various provinces of the area, in which moments of in-depth analysis with doctors and specialists alternate with physical activity on dragon boats. “It has long been demonstrated – explained Councilor Lanzarin – that physical activity practiced regularly contributes to reducing the risk of getting breast cancer, improves the tolerability of treatments and reduces the risk of disease relapse after an initial diagnosis of operable tumor.
In particular, for women who have undergone lymphadenectomy, who are at risk of developing lymphedema, it is highlighted that light exercises of muscle lengthening (stretching), joint mobility and muscle strengthening allow to gradually restore the functionality of the arm, facilitating lymphatic return; in fact, if performed regularly, these exercises allow to improve the movements of the limb and reduce swelling.
This is why the regional objective of promoting movement among women affected by breast cancer, through the sporting activity of “Dragon Boat”, takes on particular importance. This discipline combines physical recovery (especially for the rehabilitation of the arm on the side of the surgery) with psychological and social recovery, as team spirit and healthy competition have very effective “therapeutic” effects of mutual support in the fight against cancer and for a recovery of life after the disease. In Italy there are 52 dragon boat teams, 9 of which are in Veneto”. The next stages of the initiative will take place on September 7th in Solagna (VI) and Arquà Polesine (RO). The closing day of the project will be held on September 14th in Bardolino (VR) with the presentation of the final results of the project and a competition between different teams with paddle strokes.
