In 1996 Dr. Don McKenzie, a Canadian sports medicine physician from the University of British Columbia launched Abreast In A Boat, a breast cancer survivor dragon boat team to investigate the effect of repetitive upper-body exercise (paddling) on development of  lymphedema (arm swelling).  Some women who have been treated for breast cancer can be susceptible to developing lymphedema, which once started, can not be cured.

 
Dr. McKenzies’ study showed that in a group of female breast cancer patients and survivors, who followed a special exercise and training program, no new cases of lymphedema were reported and none of the existing cases had gotten any worse.                                 

        As a result of this study, dragon boat racing for breast cancer patients and survivors has become very popular, worldwide.   If fact, in early 2008, a colleague of Dr. McKenzie’s,  Dr. C. Sabiston of McGill’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education stated that “The best long-term therapy for breast cancer survivors might have nothing to do with doctors or self-help books.  Dragon boat racing may provide the best therapy.”

In June 2008, I became involved breast cancer survivor dragon boat racing and I have befriended and paddled with numerous female breast cancer patients and survivors. They are fantastically inspirational.