yoga and breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer survivors are at risk for chronic psychosocialdistress that may alter activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,resulting in aberrant regulation of cortisol secretion and increased risk ofimmune dysfunction and cancer progression.Methods: In this review article, electronic searches were undertaken inPubMed,Scholar google and up to date since 2010.Results: Yoga appeared to be a feasible intervention and beneficial effects onseveral physical and psychosocial symptoms were reported. As acomplementary therapy, yoga integrates awareness of breath, relaxation,exercise, and social support - elements that are keys to enhancing quality of lifein patients with cancer. Yoga practice may assist cancer survivors in managingsymptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and fatigue and mayhelp decrease waist circumference and improve quality of life. Many breastcancer patients and survivors use yoga to cope with their disease.Conclusion: Regular yoga practice may be a low-risk, cost-effective way toimprove psychosocial functioning, fatigue, and regulation of cortisol secretionin breast cancer survivors.Yoga can be recommended as an intervention toimprove psychological health during breast cancer treatment. Nurses should befamiliar with yoga as a complementary therapy, including current researchfindings, types of yoga, potential benefits, safety concerns, teacher training, andways to integrate yoga into cancer care.

Keywords:

yoga , breast cancer