Many cancer survivors face emotional and physical challenges long after treatment ends. While surviving cancer often brings a renewed appreciation for life, persistent insomnia, fatigue, and mood disturbances can continue to affect daily life. A recent clinical trial has shown that yoga can significantly alleviate these symptoms in cancer survivors.
The Journal of Clinical Oncology highlights that mood disturbance and insomnia are frequent and troubling side effects for cancer survivors following adjuvant treatments.
Both symptoms greatly impact survivors’ abilities to manage everyday activities. The study, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, examined 204 cancer survivors receiving standard care alone and 206 survivors who combined standard care with the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program. Participants, mainly female breast cancer survivors, engaged in YOCAS for four weeks, practicing both hatha and restorative yoga.
Hatha involves traditional active movements, while restorative yoga emphasizes slow, gentle movements, breathing exercises, and mindfulness. The YOCAS group practiced yoga for 180 minutes weekly over three sessions, reporting improvements in mood, anxiety, and fatigue by the end of the trial.
Researchers noted, “Improvements in insomnia stemming from YOCAS yoga may be mediated by changes in overall mood disturbance and fatigue.”
Dr. Fumiko Chino from MD Anderson Cancer Center emphasizes this study’s importance, which offers a non-pharmaceutical solution for multiple side effects at once. Yoga’s modifiable nature allows people with physical impairments to participate easily.
Timothy Pearman, Ph.D., director of supportive oncology at Northwestern University, confirmed the study’s findings, noting yoga’s effectiveness in managing cancer-related fatigue, mood disturbance, and physical health.
Osteoporosis, cardiac problems, balance issues, and stamina concerns from cancer treatment can improve with yoga, as shown in the study.
Shari Botwin, a licensed clinical social worker and thyroid-cancer survivor, shared her experience with yoga post-diagnosis, finding it transformative for emotional healing, including depression and survivor’s guilt. Botwin notes that yoga fosters self-compassion and community among fellow cancer thrivers.
Almost any type of exercise benefits cancer survivors, according to Pearman. He suggests patients continue exercises they enjoyed before their cancer diagnosis and finds that free yoga classes for cancer survivors are accessible through various non-profit groups.
Yoga remains affordable and adaptable, requiring only a mat and guidance from a qualified instructor. This availability makes yoga a practical choice for many cancer survivors seeking relief from post-treatment challenges.