Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy various tissues throughout the body. It is commonly understood that cancer develops from either lifestyle habits such as smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, etc. Or cancer can form from hereditary or somatic genetic malformation. The most common treatment and preventive habits given to patients are tools to mitigate / alleviate symptoms of cancer evolving from lifestyle habits. However, not much is known by patients about preventive care for those with or at risk of genetic based cancers. The Road Continues From Here is a booklet designed to inform patients specifically about BRCA 1 and 2 genetic mutations, the most common genetic malformations known leading to cancer. The booklet expands upon current cancer treatment for genetic based cancers, such as chemotherapy, reducing risk surgery, immunotherapy, radiation, etc. It then explains how exercise and physical therapy can not only be therapeutic but be preventive in delaying the onset and/or stage progression of cancer. The final section concludes with discussion topics in how to process moving forward after either a diagnosis of a genetic mutation or cancer. The Road Continues From Here serves as a patient resource to show the importance of understanding a patient's condition, the importance behind exercise and exercise therapy, and to offer insight that despite a diagnosis, the road continues on from here. 

Thank you to Dr. Kim Levenhagen, PT, DPT, WCC, CLT, FNAP, for her continued guidance and peer review on this project. It would not have been possible without her.