| Yoga, a mind-body interaction technique originated in | | | | experience as patients' transition from active |
| India is currently a common practice around the | | | | treatment to cancer survivorship. |
| world. Yoga is practiced as a healing technique as well | | | | Yoga incorporates meditation, relaxation, imagery, |
| as for refreshing the mind and body. It is now | | | | controlled breathing, stretching and physical |
| reported that yoga is beneficial for breast cancer | | | | movements. Few previous studies also had |
| survivors in increasing their quality of life. | | | | suggested that yoga can improve sleep quality, |
| Many women with breast cancer undergo surgery | | | | mood, social well being and physical functioning for |
| and chemotherapy, which are often followed by | | | | patients undergoing treatment. |
| radiotherapy. As more effective cancer therapies are | | | | The goal of yoga is to attain perfect unison with the |
| being introduced and because of the increased | | | | supreme consciousness which is full self-awareness. |
| survival of cancer patients, palliative care employing | | | | Yoga combines ethical standards, dietary guidelines, |
| alternative and complementary medicine are gaining | | | | physical movements, and meditation to create a |
| more significance. | | | | union of mind, body, and spirit. Considering the |
| Though the available scientific evidence does not | | | | requirement of strict adherence to discipline, it is a |
| support yoga as an effective treatment for breast | | | | challenge to get people to continue to engage in |
| cancer or any other cancer, it may enhance quality | | | | these healthful practices after the initial instruction |
| of life. There is a great need to enhance the quality | | | | phase. The scientists admit that although some |
| of life of patients who underwent drastic cancer | | | | changes may be permanent, in the absence of |
| therapies. The two most common problems haunting | | | | practicing, the improvements gained will likely be short |
| cancer patients following treatment are sleep | | | | lived without consistent follow up. |
| disturbance and fatigue. | | | | It is important to note that many forms of |
| The online science news magazine (Ref 1 below) | | | | complementary and alternative medicines have not |
| reported the publication of a study from the | | | | been scientifically tested and may not be safe. |
| University of Rochester at the the recent American | | | | According to American Cancer Society, pregnant |
| Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting detailing | | | | women may want to avoid postures that cause |
| the benefit of yoga to reduce sleep disturbance and | | | | pressure on the uterus, such as body twists. People |
| fatigue in breast cancer patients after cancer | | | | who are sick, dehydrated, or pregnant may be |
| treatment. The study by these cancer scientists | | | | harmed by some types of yoga, which is a vigorous |
| showed that yoga helps improve sleep outcomes, | | | | workout practiced in a very warm, humid room. |
| decreases the side effects of treatment, improves | | | | Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor, before |
| physical functioning aspects of quality of life, and | | | | embarking on using such techniques. |
| leads to an increase in finding meaning from the illness | | | | |