Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors

 

        Yoga for Breast Cancer Survivors

Yoga has become a popular activity in the United States, with 13.2 percent of adults claiming to have done yoga at some point in their life (Cramer et al., 2016). (Cramer et al., 2016). The most prevalent objectives for practicing yoga are to preserve health and wellbeing, avoid disease, enhance energy levels, raise immune function, and manage stress. Back ache, tension, and arthritis are just a few instances (Cramer et al., 2016). (Cramer et al., 2016). A growing body of evidence supports participation in yoga for breast cancer survivors, in addition to the general population.

Cancer treatment can induce unpleasant side effects in breast cancer survivors, such as a loss of strength, physical function, and exhaustion (Sehl et al., 2013; Simonavice et al., 2011; Stasi et al., 2003). (Sehl et al., 2013; Simonavice et al., 2011; Stasi et al., 2003). Swelling, weakness, and pain in the affected arm (the arm on the side where the cancer was diagnosed) may also continue following surgery, radiation, and lymph node removal under the arm (Warmuth et al., 1998). (Warmuth et al., 1998). These alterations may have a negative impact on one's overall quality of life.

Yoga, on the other hand, has been found to help lessen some of these treatment-related side effects in studies. Physical well-being (Moadel et al., 2007), fatigue (Bower et al., 2012; Moadel et al., 2007), impacted arm symptoms (Andysz et al., 2014), and quality of life have all been observed to improve (Andysz et al., 2014; Culos-Reed et al., 2006) as a result of short-term yoga therapy, In addition, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of 13 yoga therapies in cancer patients indicated that yoga had moderate benefits in fatigue, health-related quality of life, emotional function, and social function, as well as beneficial effects on distress and anxiety (Buffart et al., 2012). (Buffart et al., 2012).

Special Considerations for Postures and Class Sequencing

Because the yoga interventions employed in the aforementioned studies varied in frequency, intensity, sequencing, and postures, it is impossible to create a specific yoga program that is beneficial for breast cancer patients and survivors. There are numerous aspects to keep in mind when estimating the ideal frequency and intensity, as well as picking postures for your breast cancer participants:

Arm Symptoms: As a result of cancer therapy, participants may feel discomfort, weakness, and reduced range of motion in the afflicted arm, as well as the development of lymphedema, which is caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in the arm (Sakorafas et al., 2006). (Sakorafas et al., 2006). Encourage participants to use compression sleeves and avoid any postures that cause arm pain.

To develop upper-body range of motion, begin with gentle shoulder stretches and chest-opening postures like shoulder rolls, cactus arms, cow pose, or a supported backbend. For strengthening workouts, provide adaptations for postures that place a considerable portion of the body weight in the arms, such as downward-facing dog, plank, or low push-up position, until the participants' upper-body strength increases. As your arm range of motion, strength, and confidence improve, gradually increase the number of repetitions.

Numbness in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and loss of balance are all symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, which is a side effect of chemotherapy (Wickham, 2007). Encourage participants with peripheral neuropathy to sit on a chair or stand near the wall when undertaking standing or balance poses. These people might benefit from a chair yoga class, if one is provided.

Meditation and Breathing Exercises Should Be Included in Your Yoga Classes and Sessions: Meditation and breathing techniques can help your participants sleep better, manage pain, and improve their general quality of life.

Focus on implementing postures and sequences that combine whole-body functional movements to strengthen the upper and lower body and create core stability because breast cancer treatments can cause a loss of strength and physical function. Warrior I, Warrior II, Warrior III, high lunge, goddess, Plank, and downward-facing dog are all exercises that can help you enhance your overall strength and function.

Emphasize the Benefits of Each Posture: Explain how breathing, meditation, and the practice of various postures can assist with treatment-related side effects like muscle weakening, soreness, decreased shoulder flexibility, stress, and anxiety. Participants will be able to perform these postures at home to help manage negative consequences.

In addition to the particular issues outlined above, teaching a yoga session for cancer patients or survivors demands additional knowledge and skill. Check for more cancer-specific yoga teacher training or apply to become a Cancer Exercise Specialist with the American Council on Exercise if you wish to teach or develop a cancer-specific yoga program at your facility.

                            References

A. Andysz et al (2014). After breast cancer surgery, the impact of a 10-week yoga program on women's quality of life. 186–93 in Przeglad Menopauzalny, vol. 13, no. 3.

J.E. Bower et al (2012). A randomized controlled trial of yoga for chronic fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Cancer, vol. 118, no. 15, pp. 3766–3775.

L.M. Buffart et al (2012). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies found physical and psychosocial advantages of yoga in cancer patients and survivors. 559 in BMC Cancer.

H. Cramer et al (2016). Results of a Nationally Representative Survey in the United States on the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of yoga use. 230–235 in American Journal of Preventive Medicine, vol. 50, no. 2.

S.N. Culos-Reed and colleagues (2006). Physical and psychological benefits of yoga for breast cancer survivors in a pilot research. 891–897 in Psycho-Oncology, vol. 15, no. 10, pp. 891–897.

A.B. Moadel et al (2007). Effects of yoga on quality of life in a multiethnic group of breast cancer patients in a randomized controlled experiment. Clinical Oncology, vol. 25, no. 28, pp. 4387–4395.

G.H. Sakorafas et al (2006). Following axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer, lymphedema develops. Surgical Oncology, vol. 15, issue 3, pp. 153–165.

M. Sehl and colleagues (2013). In older women, a deterioration in physical functioning during the first two years of being diagnosed with breast cancer predicts a 10-year survival rate. 20–31 in Journal of Cancer Survivorship, vol. 7, no. 1.

E. Simonavice and colleagues (2011). Breast cancer survivors' body composition, muscle strength, and physical function 9, 2, 57–64 in International Journal of Body Composition Research.

R. Stasi and colleagues (2003). Evolving approaches in cancer-related tiredness evaluation and treatment, Cancer, 98, 9, 1786–1801.

M.A. Warmuth and colleagues (1998). A report based on a patient survey on the complications of axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Cancer, vol. 83, no. 7, pp. 1362–1368.

R. Wickham (2007). A review of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with implications for oncology nursing practice. 361 in Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, vol. 11, no. 3

Ashley Artese is a Roanoke College Assistant Professor of Health and Exercise Science. Her studies are focused on the impact of strength and functional training on health.