Back on the Beam: Olympian Shannon Miller, 43, Proves Ovarian Cancer Can Be Beat & Didn't Slow Her Down

On Instagram, Miller, 43, shared a video of a quick two and a half minute balance beam workshop, which is so straightforward any of us could probably do it. In the video, she goes over beam basics including walking on the beam backwards, forwards, and to the side, kicks, as well as balancing on one foot on the beam while lifting your other leg in the air. Throughout the video, Miller is constantly emphasizing how your feet should always be pointed in releve throughout the routine. Take notes everyone!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CELNY8dJmPx/

Judging from this video, Miller hasn’t missed a step since her last appearance at the 1996 Summer Olympics  where she was the first American to win the balance beam final might we add. However, that’s not the only achievement worth celebrating.

Related: 'Magnificent' Olympian Shannon Miller, Celebrates 9 Years Ovarian Cancer-Free, Keeps Fighting The Good Fight: 'Immunotherapy is Critical in the Battle'

In 2011, Miller was diagnosed with germ cell ovarian cancer  a rare form of the disease. Germ cell tumors are more likely to impact a single ovary, rather than both, and when a teen or young woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it's usually germ cell. Luckily, around 90% of these cases can not only be cured and fertility can often be preserved. In Miller’s case, she had the baseball sized tumor, and underwent a successfully surgery to remove it and then chemotherapy for treatment. She’s been “cancer free” for over nine years.

How Light Exercise Can Help Ovarian Cancer Patients After Surgery

After ovarian cancer surgery, some may assume it’s better to kick back in bed and take it easy. Rest is definitely important during recovery, but it turns out a light exercise routine can be extremely beneficial for some patients after surgery, seeing as it improves your circulation (which helps wounds heal faster), softens scar tissue, and improves endurance. Now, this isn’t to say that you should run a half marathon immediately, but practicing light to moderate exercise regularly can be a huge help in the recovery process.

Related: Ovarian Cancer Being Realistic about Diet and Exercise

“Starting to move more starting a moderate walking program [or] a deep breathing program… all of those things can help with posture, can help with endurance, can help with your strength, and just get you back to where you were before," Dr. Angela Wicker-Ramos, an oncology physical therapies for Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine, tells SurvivorNet. 

Dr. Angela Wicker-Ramos explains how light exercise can help ovarian cancer patients recover after surgery

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