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SIRvivor BC: Prostate Cancer Exercise Program
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SIRvivor BC: This is a specialized exercise program for men 19 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, in any stage of treatment or recovery and at any fitness level, ability and background. The program focuses largely on strength development through resistance-based exercise. It helps you improve muscle endurance, meet new people, and learn safe and effective exercises.
Why? The majority of men who have had a prostate cancer diagnosis are not meeting the recommended exercise guidelines. SIRvivor BC provides you with a structured environment in which you can learn and practice safe, effective exercises and help you meet exercise recommendations. Resistance-based exercise may also help combat some side effects of long-term prostate cancer treatment, such as decreased muscle strength and bone density. SIRvivor BC also gives you an opportunity to interact with men who share similar experiences to you and build your community. SIRvivor BC has been successfully piloted in BC, Calgary and Halifax and results showed men improve their body composition, flexibility, dynamic balance and muscular endurance.
What? SIRvivor BC runs for 6 to 12 weeks, consisting of 2 one-hour sessions each week. The exercises are easily modified to be manageable for each individual, and the program is run by certified fitness trainers who have specific knowledge on working with men who have had a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Who? The SIRvivor BC program is run by the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care (PCSC) Program. The PCSC Program is a comprehensive cancer survivorship program developed at the Vancouver Prostate Centre, located at Vancouver General Hospital, serving people across British Columbia. The SIRvivor BC program is part of their provicial initiative to support men with prostate cancer to be more physically active.
For the programs currently being offered, visit the PCSC website: https://pcscprogram.ca/sirvivor/
Interested in running SIRvivor BC in your community?
How: Contact the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care Program based at the Vancouver Prostate Centre:
Website: www.pcscprogram.ca
Email: pcsc@vch.ca
Phone: 604-875-4485
Fitness Leader requirements:
- BCRPA Fitness Leader registration (or equivalent)
- Older Adult Specialty preferred
- CompleteTHRIVE Cancer and Exercise Training (complete prior to delivering program)
Note: to access the discount page you will need both a MyBCRPA account and an account on The Registry® of Fitness Professionals.
Instructors are provided:
- SIRvivor BC Instructor Manual
- 12 circuits with exercises of different difficulty levels with photos
For all instructor materials, refer to the PCSC website: www.pcscprogram.ca.