Imagine a group of breast cancer survivors, paddles in hand, gliding across the water in perfect harmony. It’s not just a picturesque scene—it’s a powerful form of therapy. But here’s where it gets even more inspiring: dragon boat racing, an ancient sport, is now being hailed as a game-changer for women recovering from breast cancer. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just about physical healing; it’s a lifeline for mental and emotional recovery too.
In East Yorkshire, a unique initiative is making waves. At Welton Waters, near Hull, a taster session led by Paddlers for Life from Lake Windermere introduced breast cancer survivors to the exhilarating world of dragon boat racing. Helmsman Pete Cogley shared how the sport transformed his late wife’s life, offering her strength and camaraderie during her recovery. This isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s backed by science.
Dr. Jenny Omerod from Castle Hill Hospital explains that upper body exercise, like paddling, can significantly reduce the risk of lymphedema, a painful swelling often experienced after breast cancer surgery. ‘When lymph nodes are removed, the lymphatic system’s ability to drain fluid is compromised,’ she notes. Armed with research (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38915786/) proving its benefits, Dr. Omerod teamed up with the charity Fitmums and Friends to bring this event to life. But there’s a catch—starting a local dragon boat group would cost £8,000 for a proper boat. ‘We’re testing the waters to see if this is a sustainable option,’ says charity founder Sam Barlow, ‘and so far, the ladies are loving it.’
Participants like Zoe Jobling raved about the experience: ‘Being on the water, exercising, and connecting with others who’ve been through similar struggles was incredibly uplifting.’ Ann Polak, despite feeling ‘very uncoordinated,’ found it ‘amazing.’ Her daughter Grace, who came for support, was pleasantly surprised: ‘My mum was hesitant at first, but it turned out to be such a positive experience.’
Here’s the controversial part: while exercise post-breast cancer surgery was once discouraged, Dr. Don McKenzie’s groundbreaking 1996 study flipped the script, proving upper body exercise could alleviate post-operative side effects. Yet, not everyone is on board with this approach. Some still question whether vigorous activity is safe for all survivors. What do you think? Is dragon boat racing a revolutionary recovery tool, or is it too risky for some?
Beyond the physical benefits, Pete Cogley highlights the mental health aspect: ‘This sport creates a space for survivors and their partners to connect and support each other.’ It’s a reminder that healing isn’t just about the body—it’s about the heart and mind too.
Want to dive deeper? Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cghg97/clips), catch the latest episode of Look North (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007tp3n), or share your story with us. And if you’re inspired to stay updated, download the BBC News app from the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/bbc-news-uk-world-stories/id377382255) or Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bbc.mobile.news.uk&hl=en_GB).
Final thought: Could dragon boat racing be the next big thing in cancer recovery? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
