Meet Holly.

At 31 Holly was diagnosed with breast cancer. Shortly after her diagnosis, she started chemotherapy treatment and underwent a double mastectomy.

She shares her exercise journey with us and how sessions with her Accredited Exercise Physiologist made her feel ‘amazing’ and ‘like her old self again’, physically and mentally.

Holly encourages everyone going through cancer treatment to be physically active; “to be in control of something is a positive part of recovery that anyone can do.”

About Holly’s Accredited Exercise Physiologist – Ashley Bigaran

Ashley is currently pursuing her PhD and will be exploring the factors contributing to exercise intolerance in cancer patients. She is supervised by A/Prof Prue Cormie and Dr Michael Baker.

Ashley completed her Honours in Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. She explored the effects of chemotherapy on aerobic power and cardiac function in breast cancer patients. She previously completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) at RMIT University, and a Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Deakin University, gaining the title of an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP). She has previously been employed at notable sports medicine clinics, hospitals and universities.

Ashley presently holds a position with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Sports Cardiology team as their AEP and research assistant.

Want to read more about the benefits of exercise and cancer? Click here to read more.