In October, 2005, one of LA YOGA’s early research review columns
focused on breast cancer to acknowledge breast cancer awareness
month. Two years since our last breast cancer research review,
awareness of this disease is still marked in October. Most
of us may be affected by breast cancer, through our family
or friends. Over the past two years, progress continues to
be made in research into the disease from an allopathic perspective.
Even more importantly, the use of complementary and alternative
medical treatments (CAM) has become more prevalent and studies
investigating their efficacy are increasing.
CAM modalities and
interventions are frequently adjunctive therapies to
accompany the often harsh allopathic treatments in the
Western biomedical model. Other medical systems, including
the traditional sciences of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine,
for example, have vastly different ways of approaching the
disease of cancer. From the perspective of Ayurveda, cancer
is viewed as a disturbance of the body’s innate
intelligence. This is not to say that an individual has
caused their cancer, but that an imbalance has interfered
with the bodymind’s ability to maintain homeostasis,
distinguish self from non-self and enforce appropriate
limits on cell growth and death.
The
scope of this article is to review selected studies and
findings that have been published since
LA
YOGA’s
last research review in this area. This is not designed to
be a comprehensive survey throughout all disciplines.
Yoga
Research investigating the effect of yoga practice for
people in treatment for or recovering from breast cancer is
a rapidly expanding area. In a variety of different
settings, among diverse groups and with goals from overall
healing, greater spiritual well-being or comfort and
palliative care, recent studies investigating the effect of
yoga practice by people coping with or surviving breast
cancer confirm yoga’s benefits.
Yoga practice and philosophy are beneficial for mitigating
effects of treatment and even create deeper experiences of
healing.
Cancer Centers around the country and in Southern California
offer yoga programs. The Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
offers Tibetan physical yoga practices to improve
well-being, purify the body’s channels, release obstacles
and improve spiritual growth. The team is currently
implementing an NIH-funded research program investigating
these effects.
Groups of multi-ethnic African-American and Hispanic women
going through breast cancer treatment experienced greater
improvements in quality of life and greater emotional and
social well-being as a result of participating in yoga1.
In breast cancer survivors who utilize complementary and
alternative medicine therapies, those that participated in
regular yoga practice reported the greatest improvements in
quality of life measurements.2 Fatigue is a
persistent complaint expressed by people after undergoing
chemotherapy treatment; it is documented that this fatigue
is more significant than the ordinary everyday fatigue
experienced by people who don’t have cancer. It continues
even after treatment has ceased.3 Physical
activity is essential for reducing the fatigue experienced
by breast cancer survivors; yoga practice is shown to be a
beneficial option.4 Exercise, particularly an
individually appropriate program, is also demonstrated to
improve cardiopulmonary function in people undergoing breast
cancer treatment.5
The
experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment can be
extremely stressful and depression commonly co-occurs in
people with cancer. Breast cancer survivors report higher
rates of depression. Breast cancer patients experience
higher levels of the brain neurochemicals associated with
pain and suffering.6 Some studies suggest that
stress and depression can affect cancer reoccurrence,
although these results are controversial.7
Guided imagery therapy and autogenic training are
demonstrated to improve immune system function by increasing
natural killer cell counts in people receiving treatment for
breast cancer.8 An integrated yoga program
demonstratably modulates stress, including reducing DNA
damage, in people undergoing radiation treatments for breast
cancer.9 A group of people with breast cancer who
participated in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program
had measurable decreases in cortisol levels (a hormone
associated with the stress response). Chemical markers
associated with inflammation were reduced and blood pressure
decreased.10
Sometimes illness can have a spiritual component, or even
create a spiritual awakening. When the option for healing is
spiritual and psychosocial rather than physical, as is the
case in terminal illness, yoga practice is shown to reduce
pain and fatigue and stimulate greater feelings of
invigoration, relaxation and even acceptance.11
Programs addressing spiritual needs and goals and a holistic
approach that “turns curses into blessings,” can be
effective.12 Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
(based on yogic principles and practices) programs support
people with cancer in developing deeper spiritual growth.13
In
yogic philosophy, fear is considered to be a major component
in illness and a barrier to healing. Among other specific
Kundalini yoga techniques studied to address different
confounding factors in breast cancer (including fatigue,
depression, low energy and distress), a protocol designed to
release fear is effective.14
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
After undergoing breast cancer treatment, hot flashes are a
common complaint expressed by women. Acupuncture is one of
the treatments that can alleviate this symptom.15
Self-applied acupressure of the specific point P6 is shown
to decrease nausea and vomiting associated with
chemotherapy.16 Electroacupuncture is another
related treatment shown to reduce vomiting after
chemotherapy.17
While not yet formally studied, a review of the pertinent
literature suggests that acupuncture is a potential
intervention for improving the cognitive decline often seen
after chemotherapy.18
Herbal Therapies
Generally, oncologists recommend avoiding other herbal
therapies if a person is undergoing chemotherapy or
radiation treatments. This is related to concerns that the
antioxidant nature of many medicinal herbs could counteract
the powerfully toxic effects of chemotherapy. The exact
choices made must be carefully considered by the individual
and unique circumstances must be weighed.
Many herbal therapies used in traditional systems of
medicine are beneficial for mitigating the negative effects
of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. One of the common
pharmaceutical drugs used in the arsenal of pharmaceutical
treatments is Taxol, itself plant-based, derived from the
bark of the Pacific yew tree.
Some herbs are currently being investigated for their
anticancer effects. Recent studies find that extracts of the
basil species
Ocimum gratissimum possess qualities to reduce tumor
size and prevent the growth of blood vessels (angiogenesis)
that feed a cancerous tumor.19 The Thai creeper
Erycibe elliptilimba is traditionally used against
malignancies and as an anti-infective herb. Initial studies
suggest
E. elliptilimba reduces cell proliferation in
cancer cells. The Western herb feverfew
(Tanacetum parthenium) is a traditional treatment for migraine and
arthritis; one of the sesquiterpene lactones in the leaf,
parthenolide, has anti-inflammatory, anti-migraine and
anti-tumor effects. Parthenolinde, and combinations of
feverfew components have been tested for and show the
inhibition of cancer cell growth.21
Conclusions
Healing does not always mean that the body becomes whole
again. In some situations, it is the spirit that heals. But
in all situations, bringing body, mind and spirit into
balance takes a multifaceted approach. While this type of
approach can be challenging, and sometimes even impossible
to quantify and measure, the fact that research efforts are
focused on these areas is encouraging as we all strive for
balance.
References - needs update
The suggestions given
here are not a substitute for professional medical advice.
If you or someone who know is experiencing anxiety that
interferes with everyday life, be sure to consult with a
medical professional.
