Yoga for Cancer Patients and Survivors - The Research Tells the Story, Creston Valley Advance

Written by Joanne Gailius, March 2019

​Cancer is a diagnosis that none of us wants to hear, yet 33 to 50% of us will experience that moment in a doctor's office……"You have cancer."  There are so many advances in oncology (cancer medicine) from diagnosis to treatment yet cancer patients and survivors continue to face unique challenges in their physical and mental health over their lifetime.  
 
A December 2018 "white paper" (a concise report that informs readers about a complex issue) explored the growing literature available to us regarding the effects of yoga on the continuum of cancer care.  Medical research has shown that yoga increases strength and flexibility, improves balance and prevents falls, helps maintain a healthy body weight, improves psychological well-being, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels, improves sleep and reduces fatigue, reduces stress, enhances the immune system, reduces inflammation and improves quality of life.  We health care providers seek evidence-informed, cost-effective ways in which we can help people to manage the short and long term effects of cancer and its treatments.  This paper clearly supports cancer-specific yoga intervention as a supportable part of cancer intervention.
 
Yoga is a complex, holistic system that includes movement and postures, breathing, restorative and relaxation practices that support physical and mental health.  PubMed gathered 435 studies from observational studies to clinical trials regarding yoga as a part of cancer care.  The general conclusion is that yoga can help adult cancer patients and survivors manage symptoms and side effects as well as lead longer, healthier lives.  A variety of cancers were studied, although the most numerous studies were on breast cancer; they studied people before, during and after treatment.  Yoga is not a cure-all, but there is ample evidence that well-planned yoga classes, done consistently and over time, have measurable benefits on healing and long term health.
 
From all the studies, these are the conclusions regarding yoga for people with cancer:

• Yoga has been shown to improve sleep and reduce fatigue in cancer patients and survivors.
• Yoga interventions have been shown to improve cancer-related mental and emotional health.
• Yoga has been shown to reduce various types of pain.
• Yoga has been shown to improve strength, flexibility and bone health.
• Yoga has been shown to support weight management.
• Yoga may help cancer patients manage lymphedema.

 
Yoga comes in many forms and classes vary greatly.  Again, from all the studies, these are the conclusions regarding the best options of yoga for people with cancer and cancer survivors:

• Cancer-specific yoga should incorporate physical postures/movement, breathing techniques and restorative/mindfulness practices.
• Cancer-specific yoga class should give students options and choices to modify the movements, postures and practices.
• Cancer patients and survivors should have access to 1 or 2 classes per week of 60 - 75 minute duration with a 10 - 15 minute practice daily at home.
• Cancer-specific yoga classes help patients and survivors develop a sense of agency about their bodies, health and lives.
• Cancer-specific yoga classes should encourage students to enjoy the use of blocks, bolster, blankets, walls and straps to support their practice.
• Cancer-specific yoga classes should be held in a dedicated space that is spacious, welcoming, comfortable and warm.
• Cancer-specific yoga classes should be taught by certified yoga teachers with specific training in cancer rehabilitation and yoga for people with cancer.

 
Creston is a wonderful valley in which to live.  We have many opportunities to help us all live our lives well over our lifespan, through our ages and stages.  Should you face a cancer diagnosis, please ask for community support.  There are support groups, mental and physical health options, home visiting nurses, care aids, PTs and OTs and cancer-specific yoga classes at The Yoga Room in NW Blvd. at the east end of town.