Fly Fishing

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Both caregivers and patients can benefit from low impact exercise that enables them to be outside with others, or just spending time together.

Women recovering from breast cancer surgery can restore range of motion in their arm through simple exercises. One national group has found an innovative and fun way to exercise. Casting for Recovery runs retreats to teach breast cancer survivors how to fly fish!

Casting a fishing line while wading in a river requires a flexible arm. Fly fishing mimics the arm motions needed to recover joint and muscle mobility after breast surgery. Strengthening and stretching the affected arm through repeated casting may help prevent lymphedema, the painful swelling of the arm that sometimes occurs when axillary lymph nodes are removed.

Casting for Recovery's free weekend retreats offer instruction and fishing expeditions, as well as social support and counseling. Trained facilitators include a psychotherapist familiar with breast cancer coping issues, a health care professional such as a nurse or physical therapist, and fly fishing instructors. For more information about retreats in your area, call 1-888-553-3500, or check out www.castingforrecovery.org.