How archery is helping Uruguay’s breast cancer survivors heal
The sport of archery is changing the lives of breast cancer survivors in Uruguay.
Through an archery programme, Flechas de Vida (Arrows of Life), archery instructors are treating post-surgery conditions including lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.
Lymphedema is a long-term condition that causes swelling in the body’s tissues.
The vibrations of strings on a bow act as lymphatic drainage which prevents the development of the condition and helps recover mobility of the upper limbs.
Archery instructors, Alejandra Borsani and Andrea Castroman launched the free rehabilitation programme in May 2023 for mastectomy patients.
“So far, 123 patients have participated,” Borsani and Castroman were quoted as saying. “We started in May 2023 with two patients and today there are 42 active patients, and we have a waiting list of more than 100 women.”
The programme is accessible to all breast cancer survivors, a year after surgery. These patients have access to participate in the programme in all archery clubs throughout the country for six months.
Although currently operating only in Uruguay, programme organisers hope to extend it to other countries across South and Central America to give access to breast cancer survivors in those areas.
