No other cancer patient support program in the world exists to match the depth and breadth of CancerPEP. The program is meant to work alongside the treatment and support provided by the traditional medical system to give you the best chance of recovery and healing. It has been proven effective in multiple research trials, and draws on the experiences of people who have been affected by cancer.
You can choose to tap into the program in the way that works best for you by focusing more or less on each of the different elements of the program. Throughout the six-month period, you will connect with the creators of CancerPEP – a husband-and-wife team consisting of Dr. Rob Rutledge, an Oncologist, and Dr. Gabriela Ilie, a Psychology Professor Scientist. They will share personal experiences, present scientific insights, and provide practical tools and techniques to help you strengthen your body, boost your immune system, and tap into the mind-body connection to get through treatment and improve your physical and mental health in the short and long-term. Learn more about the doctors >
EACH DAY, for six months, you will receive an email that includes a five-minute video from Rob and Gabriela on a topic that is relevant to where you are in your CancerPEP journey. The email contains a description of what you should do that day, and teaches and encourages home-based healthy living and connection activities. You fit the activities into your day to whatever extent in a way that makes sense for your lifestyle.
EACH WEEK, you will be sent a link to a series of teaching videos, including a weekly cooking video called PEP Cooking Class and additional videos that examine the important role your relationships and connections play in your health and well-being. You will also have the option of calling your PEP Partner or ‘Buddy’, a current or former participant in the program, helping you surround yourself with a like-minded community of people who understand your cancer experience and support the work you are doing to improve your outcomes.
EACH MONTH, you will have the opportunity to become part of a larger community by participating in our live monthly video conferences. You’ll have direct, ongoing access to an Oncologist and a Cancer Research Scientist/Psychology Professor. We’ll answer questions, update you on the science of empowerment, discuss important issues and create a community of support.
We will ask you to do some form of physical activity 6+ days per week. You get to choose the length and intensity of the activities you enjoy while staying within your limits. The CancerPEP Strength Training Program, done on Mondays and Thursdays, is designed to be done at home using your body weight and elastic exercise bands by following our videos. You can choose the level best suited for you from four levels of difficulty. We also offer Yoga and modifications to many of these exercises (like doing them sitting or standing) that allow for different levels of ability while still offering physical benefits.
As part of the program, we will help you understand the benefits of an anti-cancer diet and how to make healthy eating a part of your daily routine. We recommend a whole-food, plant-based, anti-inflammatory diet and will share both shopping and cooking tips to help you improve this tremendously important part of your life.
The quality of our sleep has a profound influence on our physical and mental health. Though we can’t force ourselves to sleep more, we can train ourselves to improve the quality and quantity of this fundamental activity. This part of the program will teach you the tools to improve your sleep quality which, in turn, improves many of your body’s functions.
When you take part in CancerPEP, you will learn some techniques that will help you identify and reduce stress and anxiety in your life, what to do when you’re suddenly feeling overwhelmed, and how to deal with the fear of cancer recurrence.
The relationships we have with family, friends, and other loved ones have a profound effect on the quality of our lives. CancerPEP will help you discover what you can do to connect more deeply with your loved ones and address the role of intimacy, relationships and connection to health and healing after a cancer diagnosis.
“BUDDY SYSTEM": If you would like to share your contact info with two other co-participants (PEP Partners) let us know. We’ve found that participants who have been paired with one or two others who are going through or have gone through CancerPEP helps form beneficial new relationships among people who are on similar journeys. The ask is for you to call your PEP Partners once per week. Even just a short phone call is a great way to connect and encourage each other to do the program.
FACEBOOK GROUP: You have the opportunity to join a moderated Facebook group where participants can share updates on their journey, offer encouragement to others, and exchange valuable resources and inspiring posts. This group has fostered a genuine sense of community, making it an ideal space to connect with like-minded great spirits.
To follow our strength training videos you will need exercise elastic bands with handles. Your options are: a) visit a sports or fitness store and get advice from the staff about which elastic bands to buy, b) go online and order yourself both #1 and #2: |
Please be careful when starting a new exercise or strength training program (always best to get expert advice before starting). If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to us >.
