Pink Ink. 01 - Article. 01

A Story of Breast Cancer and Dragon Boats

By Laura Molina, Alejandra Mourin and ChatGPT

Let's start with, specialist Don McKenzie -because in these modern times, every good story has to begin with a specialist- SO…

Specialist Don McKenzie is a Canadian sports medicine expert. Yes, he is the type of doctor who deals with physical fitness and treats injuries in sports. Yes, the one who helps soccer players when they fall, whether accidentally or on purpose. Can we continue?

In 1996, Dr. McKenzie — let’s start calling him "Dr. Z" just to keep things confusing — started a Dragon Boat team for women with a history of breast cancer, called Abreast in a Boat. His hypothesis? That strenuous upper-body activity, set in a socially supportive and visually inspiring environment, like dragon boating, could significantly benefit breast cancer survivors.

In a paper published in 1998, Dr. Z concluded:

"How important is the Abreast in a Boat project? It is an approach to promoting health and raising breast cancer awareness that is driven by women with the disease. It reaches out to other women and offers them a message of hope and support. It is helping to change attitudes toward "life after breast cancer," and it encourages women to lead full and active lives. It is making a difference."

People who have been through breast cancer deal with a lot. Fatigue, pain, mobility problems, lack of motivation, and lymphedema (swelling from damaged tissue). So, they weren’t exactly known for being active. But Dragon Boat changed that. It gave them a safe space to push their limits, be heard, and feel accepted.

How does Dragon Boat help breast cancer patients? Below is a list, because every good modern story also comes with a list of positive impacts.

  • Improves Upper Body Strength: Paddling works the shoulders, arms, and back, helping rebuild strength after surgery and/or during treatment.

  • Boosts Flexibility and Mobility: Regular paddling can improve the range of motion, especially in the shoulders, which often stiffen after breast cancer surgery.

  • Reduces Lymphedema: The repetitive arm movement in paddling, helps reduce the risk of lymphedema (swelling caused by lymphatic system damage).

  • Enhances Cardiovascular Health: Dragon boating provides a great cardio workout, improving heart health and overall fitness.

  • Promotes Mental Health Well-Being: Being part of a supportive team helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, boosting overall mood.

  • Builds a Sense of Community: Dragon boating fosters friendships with others who have shared similar experiences, offering emotional support and camaraderie.

  • Increases Confidence: Taking part in a physically challenging sport helps rebuild self-esteem and confidence after breast cancer treatment.

  • Improves Quality of Life: The combination of physical, emotional, and social benefits leads to a better overall quality of life for survivors.

  • Provides a Fun and Engaging Activity: It is an enjoyable way to stay active, making fitness feel less like a chore and more like a fun team activity.

After this, Dr. Z received several awards and recognitions around the world and his hypothesis was supported by other specialists. Beyond that, I can attest from personal experience, that the true impact dragon boating has on people affected by breast cancer is impossible to quantify. It is about more than just exercise; it is about finding strength, community, and living life to the fullest regardless of cancer.

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References:

1.McKenzie, Donald C. (1998). Abreast in a Boat – A race against breast cancer. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 159(4), 376-378. http://www.cmaj.ca/content/159/4/376.abstract