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Yoga For Breast Cancer And It's Health Benefits

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2025

Benefits of yoga for breast cancer

For women, breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. One out of every four women who suffer from cancer has breast cancer. Breast cancer patients have to undergo severe emotional, mental and physical stress which ultimately weakens their immunity. Yoga can never be considered as an alternative treatment for breast cancer. Yoga only improves the physical, emotional and mental aspects of a patient suffering from breast cancer. There have been studies which indicate that yoga is successful in enhancing the overall sense of well-being and reducing the stress levels in the patients of breast cancer.

Yoga helps the women in handling the distressing effects of radiation, chemotherapy and surgical procedures. Yoga sessions are particularly helpful in dealing with the condition of nausea which is often associated with the treatment of cancer. Some experts believes that contraction and stretching involved in the yoga stimulates the flow of the blood in the lymph which helps the body in getting rid of the toxins collected during the time of treatment. Yoga helps the patient suffering from breast cancer remain calm and composed during the treatment. Given below are some of the yoga asanas that help a patient suffering from breast cancer.

Yoga asanas for breast cancer

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Fish Pose

A simple yoga pose that is perfect for beginners, the fish pose relieves fatigue and strengthens the backbone. It also helps improve the flexibility of the neck. You must first lie on your back and place your palms face down under your hips. Bring your elbows as close as you can and inhale deeply. While you are breathing in, gently lift your head and chest. With the chest elevated, move your head backwards and try to touch the floor with the top of your head. Hold the pose as long as you can while taking gentle breaths. Bring your head towards your chest and return to the original position.
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Hero Pose

The hero pose helps relieve stress and stretches the thighs and knees. Start with a kneeling position with your hands resting on the kneecaps. Press the top of the feet firmly on the floor and gently lower the hips. Inhale from the navel such that your chest broadens and your shoulder blades press inwards. Hold the posture as long as you can and return to original as you exhale.
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Bridge Pose

This pose helps stretch your chest and reduces stress. Lie on your back with the feet placed flat on the floor, arms on the sides and the knees bent. Take a deep breath and exhale as you lift your hips upward. Try to lift the rest of the body keeping the shoulders on the floor. Hold it for a minute and return gently to the original position.
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Corpse Pose

One of the easiest and beneficial yoga pose, the corpse pose relaxes the whole body and improves the neurological system. Lie on your back and let your limbs relax. Close your eyes and take slow and deep breaths. To release from the pose, deepen your breaths gradually and stretch your body by extending your arms above your head. Roll over to a side and inhale as you get into a seated position.

Conclusion

Apart from yoga, a patient suffering from breast cancer must incorporate healthy food in their diet as they not only help in improving the overall health of the patient but they also have this tendency of stopping the progression of the disease as believed by some researchers. Including foods rich in high fiber in the diet of a person suffering from breast cancer can be beneficial as they provide support to the digestive system thereby helping the body to eliminate all the toxins. Consuming fiber-rich legumes like lentils is recommended as they reduce the risk of breast cancer. Most of the breast cancer treatments are done to restrict estrogen from interacting with the cells of the breast cancer.

Consuming a high fiber diet helps in eliminating the estrogen thereby providing necessary help in the cancer treatment. Foods rich in beta-carotene like carrots can be included in the diet as they have the tendency of interfering with the cancer cells growth rate. There are a lot of side effects associated with the treatment of breast cancer. Doing yoga regularly and consuming a healthy diet helps the body to combat these side effects remain healthy.

References

  • Nicole Culos‐Reed S, Carlson LE, Daroux LM, Hately‐Aldous S. A pilot study of yoga for breast cancer survivors: physical and psychological benefits. Psycho‐Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer. 2006 Oct;15(10):891-7. [Cited 23 April 2020]. Available from:
  • Cramer H, Lange S, Klose P, Paul A, Dobos G. Yoga for breast cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC cancer. 2012 Dec 1;12(1):412. [Cited 23 April 2020]. Available from:
  • Galantino ML, Greene L, Archetto B, Baumgartner M, Hassall P, Murphy JK, Umstetter J, Desai K. A qualitative exploration of the impact of yoga on breast cancer survivors with aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgias. Explore. 2012 Jan 1;8(1):40-7. [Cited 23 April 2020]. Available from:

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    Written ByDr. Deepa Kadam MD - AyurvedaDermatology
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    Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
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