Yoga’s Benefits for Cancer Survivors
Many individuals find that overcoming cancer allows them to truly embrace life again, yet some survivors face ongoing physical and emotional hurdles long after their treatments conclude.
A new clinical trial suggests that yoga might play a crucial role in alleviating insomnia, fatigue, and mood disorders that often plague survivors post-remission.
Researchers indicate that mood disorders and insomnia rank among the most common and bothersome side effects that cancer survivors encounter years after their additional therapies have ended.
The study, supported by the National Cancer Institute, analyzed 204 survivors receiving standard treatments only against 206 who combined those with the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program. Interestingly, most participants were women who had battled breast cancer.
YOCAS consists of a four-week regimen that blends traditional hatha yoga, which is typically more active, with restorative yoga. This approach includes slow movements, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques, as outlined by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
On average, participants in the YOCAS group engaged in about 180 minutes of yoga each week across three sessions.
By the end of the study, those practicing YOCAS reported improvements in their mood, anxiety, and fatigue, unlike the standard treatment group. Researchers noted that the alleviation of insomnia through yoga might be linked to broader changes in mood disturbance and fatigue.
Fumiko Kayano, a cancer researcher, emphasized that this development offers a non-drug method for survivors, who often juggle numerous medications, to tackle multiple side effects simultaneously.
Dr. Timothy Pearman, who leads supportive oncology at a major Chicago cancer center, expressed no surprise at the findings. He remarked, “Yoga is one of the most recognized and effective methods for managing cancer-related fatigue and mood issues.”
Pearman mentioned that his wife is a yoga instructor engaged in an integrative medicine program focused on yoga’s benefits for cancer patients. He remarked on the expanding availability of yoga teacher training that specifically addresses the needs of cancer survivors, noting that yoga is adaptable and can cater to almost anyone, including those with substantial physical limitations.
Additionally, he pointed out that yoga is inexpensive and accessible; generally, all that’s needed is a mat and some guidance.
He also highlighted some physical health challenges linked to cancer treatments—like osteoporosis and increased heart disease risk—that yoga can help alleviate.
Shari Botsin, a licensed clinical social worker and thyroid cancer survivor, turned to yoga a few months after her diagnosis and described the experience as transformative. She observed that many cancer survivors grapple with emotional struggles, including depression and survivor guilt, which can hinder recovery. Yoga offers not only physical relief but also a community of peers sharing similar journeys.
Botsin added that for survivors who have lost body parts, yoga can help shift their mindset towards self-acceptance rather than shame.
Pearman noted that virtually any form of exercise can be beneficial for cancer survivors and encouraged them to continue activities they enjoyed prior to their diagnosis. Moreover, he shared that many nonprofits offer free yoga classes tailored for cancer survivors.
