Benefits of cancer rehab catching on

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - Therapy for cancer patients is taking on a different twist.

More and more of them are discovering the health benefits of cancer rehab

Smooth, fluid movements are getting Chrys Centore through her treatments for breast cancer.

"It helped my strength, my attitude, because otherwise I would have been home staring at the TV," Centore said.

A double mastectomy weakened her muscles, but a pilates program offered by cancer rehab physical therapist Wendy Farnen Price is getting her back on track.

"Chemo is tiring, it's poison in your body, it's very tiring and pilates helped a real lot to build up my strength," Centore said.

"I decided to do this because I wanted to provide these necessary services after I had family and friends diagnosed with cancer," Price said.

The cancer rehab here at Healthcore is tailor made for each patient.

"After mastectomies, it's important to get the shoulder moving properly, so this is a nice gentle way to start doing that," Price said.

This is all about getting patients like Chrys to function at the highest level possible, during and after cancer treatment.

"The key to doing any kind of strengthening exercises with breast cancer patients, it's important to do it gradually and within their pain-free range of motion and that they have great alignment while they are doing it," Price said.

Chrys is scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery in a few weeks.

"It's pretty tough," Centore said. "It's challenging, but I'm determined to do it."

So, a tough move like this one only helps to strengthen her resolve to beat her cancer.

Research shows that 90 percent of breast cancer survivors have impairments, but only about a third of them get referred for treatment.

Supporters of cancer rehab say more doctors should prescribe it so patients don't have to suffer more than they have to.