Yoga for Cancer

What is oncology yoga?

Oncology yoga is designed to reduce the impact of physical and psychological effects caused by cancer and its treatments. Patient safety and wellbeing is at the foundation of the practice which provides a range of modifications making it accessible for all levels of physical ability. Cancer-informed yoga focuses on adaptability and nervous system support rather than intensity or flexibility.

Practices may include:

Gentle, accessible movements
Simple breathing practices
Mindfulness or guided relaxation
Options for rest

Oncology yoga helps to:

build strength and flexibility
strengthen the immune system and the lymphatic function
reduce cancer related fatigue
improve sleep and reduce anxiety
increase bone density
help manage common side effects like lymphedema, constipation and neuropathy.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends yoga as an evidence-based integrative approach that can help in treating multiple cancer and treatment symptoms including:

Cancer pain
Cancer-related fatigue
Sleep disorders
Distress (anxiety/depression)
Cancer associated cognitive-dysfunction
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Sexual dysfunction
Nausea/vomiting

Yoga reduces the risk of cancer spreading or returning

Practising yoga twice a week for 75 minutes can help reduce the risk of cancer spreading or returning.

In the study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 502 cancer survivors were randomised to take part in either 2 x 75 minute yoga sessions per week or 2 x 75min standard survivorship health education sessions.

After four weeks, the yoga group showed significantly lower inflammation levels compared to standard health education group. Inflammation is known to play a key role in the development and progression of cancer, thus targeting inflammation through treatment protocols is important to minimise the risk of cancer spreading or recurring. Yoga has also been shown to improve sleep quality in cancer survivors experiencing sleep disruption after treatment. The yoga intervention developed for these studies combined physical postures (asana), breathing (pranayama) and mindfulness exercises (meditation and awareness).

The study concluded that yoga is a safe practice which can be modified for varying levels of physical capacity and ability, making it highly accessible to cancer survivors.