Yoga decreases stress for patients undergoing radiation therapy

A recent study by MD Anderson in Texas revealed that patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer benefit from participating in the practice of yoga.

Here are the facts:

• 163 women
• Average age = 52 years
• Diagnosed with breast cancer ranging from early onset to stage three
• Actively undergoing radiation therapy

Each woman was randomly assigned to one of three groups:

• Yoga: one-hour sessions, three times a week during six-weeks of radiation therapy
• Simple stretching: one-hour sessions, three times a week during six-weeks of radiation therapy
• No instruction in either

One month after each woman completed radiation therapy she was asked to report on her health and well-being. The same questions were asked three and six months after therapy. In addition, each woman was tested to measure heart functions and stress hormone levels.

Both the women in the yoga and stretching groups reported less fatigue than the non-exercise group.

Additionally, the women who studied yoga during their six-week radiation therapy reported, “greater benefits to physical functioning and general health and were more likely to perceive positive life changes from their cancer experience than either [group]” Source. 

The yoga group also benefited from a steep decline throughout the day in the stress hormone cortisol. Why does this matter? An increase in cortisol prepares your body for potential flight or fight from danger; it is released during times of stress, and its benefits are only for short term release. Extensive release of cortisol for prolonged periods of time can result in alteration of bodily functions, impairment of the immune system, and alterations in the reproductive systems. (see “What is yoga and how can it help me”)

At Providence Regional Cancer System we believe strongly in the healing power of yoga, which is why it is part of our integrative cancer care program. “Participants of our yoga classes continue to sign up session after session, and continually tell us that it is the highlight of their week. It offers not only relaxation, toning and strengthening, but a sense of community as well,” Rosemary Spyhalsky, nurse coordinator of Providence Integrative Cancer Care.

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Have you considered acupuncture?

You’ve seen it in the news, you’ve seen it on television, you may even know someone who knows someone who’s done it. What is it? Acupuncture.

And while it’s still relatively new in the U.S. (only about 200 years) it’s been used for thousands of years as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

So why should you try it?
I have personally treated patients diagnosed with cancer for:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Aches and pains
• Anxiety
• I have also been able to use acupuncture to help the newly diagnosed with insomnia and other sleep disorders.

But what really happens? Doesn’t it hurt?
Acupuncture is based on the idea that energy (qi) flows in channels (formally called meridians) through our bodies. TCM believes that qi, made up of two forces, yin and yang, can affect your spiritual, emotional, mental and physical condition “Yin and yang are opposite forces that work together to form a whole. The forces of yin and yang depend on each other and are made from each other in an unending cycle, such as hot and cold, day and night, and health and disease. Nothing is ever all yin or all yang, both exist in all things, including people. Many of the major organs of the body are believed to be yin-yang pairs that must be in balance to be healthy. When a person's yin and yang are not in balance, qi can become blocked. Blocked qi causes pain, illness, or other health problems.” Source.

Acupuncture needles are inserted at specific regions to access the qi. The biggest misconception is that an acupuncture needle is a normal needle … it’s not. The needles are about the size of a strand of hair, so small that instead of actually piercing the skin they just push apart the skin cells. Many of my patients report a soothing sensation as the treatment unfolds.

Does acupuncture really work?
In 1976 the FDA approved the acupuncture needle as a medical device. It’s important to note that acupuncture is meant to supplement your cancer treatment, not replace it. The best medicine is the type that’s going to work for you and, hopefully, improve your quality of life. Many people shy away from acupuncture because of the association of pain with needles. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned in this article I encourage you to give acupuncture a chance. For more information visit the Providence Integrative Cancer Care Website.

You might also like:

• Integrative care basics and what others are saying
• National Cancer Institute, Acupuncture
• American Cancer Society, Acupuncture

Cancer and pain: It's okay to ask for help

Unfortunately, pain in cancer patients is very common and affects most aspects of an individual’s life. But would it surprise you to know that cancer pain is severely under-treated in patients?

Research shows this could be for a number of reasons:

• As doctors, we sometimes focus all our energy on treating the disease and lose sight of controlling the pain along the way
• Patients often fail to talk to their doctors about their pain, falsely believing that some amount of suffering “goes with the territory”
• Patients and doctors are often hesitant to use morphine and other opiods for pain control, fearing addiction, when in reality patients being treated for cancer rarely form such an addiction.

The good news is, we believe 90% of chronic cancer pain can be treated with drug AND non-drug therapies. Source.

First and foremost, you are the only one who knows what your pain feels like. How you communicate your pain is the single most important factor in treating it.

This means, you must work with your care team to explain what is bothering you and exactly how it is bothering you. I recommend keeping a pain journal to help track anything that may be causing your discomfort. Controlling your pain is vital in maintaining your strength, emotionally and physically.

Pain can affect:

• Your sleep quality and your ability to perform daily activities
• Your mood and coping abilities
• Your relationships with others around you, including your social support system
• Your spiritual or religious beliefs

If you experience a new onset of pain, or sudden change of your chronic pain, call or see your doctor immediately.

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Look Good...Feel Better

Makeup is as old as the pyramids—literally. Archaeologists have found makeup jars in the Egyptian tombs, and of course, one look at the tomb painting reveals the heavy appreciation for eye liner both men and women seemed to have.

Chalk was used in Roman times to whiten complexions and women in Elizabethan England wore egg whites on their faces to provide some shine. Even the Victorians, who believed makeup was for those of ill-repute, used natural products of oatmeal and honey to cleanse their face.

Regardless of how or why you use makeup or keep your face clean it’s hard not to argue, when we look good we feel better!

The Look Good…Feel Better was developed in 1989 (read the full story here) and is both non-medical and brand neutral. Those who come receive a free kit with everything you need to cleanse, tone, moisturize, blot, dab and apply products for your face.

Some things we learned in the most recent class at Providence Regional Cancer System, Lacey, taught by Madelin KolbWhite, owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics and Look Good…Feel Better Instructor for over 20 years.

• Cleanse your face twice a day … did you know the average household collects 40 pounds of dust a year?
• Always follow your cleanser with a toner. Toner removes the residue left behind with cleanser. Madelin did a test in her store and found that you would have to rinse your face 37 times in order to accomplish what toner does in 1 swipe.
• Once you open and use mascara you must throw it away in 3-4 months, regardless of whether it’s finished as it is growing bacteria.
• If your under eye is purple use a concealer with a yellow base, if it’s red use a concealer with a green base (but careful, using to much could make you look grey).
• If you are going through chemotherapy do not stay in the sun for more than a few minutes, always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher (even in the Pacific Northwest!)

Want more? Check out Look Good…Feel Better’s brand new re-designed website which includes:

• 12-Step Beauty Guide
• Hair and wig tips
• Video Library
• Online makeover application

Want to find a class near you? They are offered through all three of our PRCS locations in Aberdeen, Centralia and Lacey. To register today call 1.800.227.2345.  

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Take a minute, and just breathe

From the moment of diagnosis, some patients have often told me “I feel like I have a weight on my shoulders, I just want to curl up.”

This urge to “curl up” is a normal self protective response that can lead to problems with functional movement down the road. Individuals can often hold a protective posture, after many types of surgery and then again during recovery and adjuvant treatment.

Most often my patients hug themselves as a way to protect the body or limb from injury causing the head to come forward and down—picture a turtle hunkering in. If this posture is held for to long, our bodies begin to think of the position as “normal.” Over time reaching for a coat out of the closet or turning to look behind you while driving suddenly becomes a challenging activity.

1. Take a slow deep breath, lifting from the belly to the chest and easing the head back.
2. Exhale slowly, allowing the shoulders to fall gently down, rolling back.

Learning to find and incorporate a healthy posture goes beyond simple body positioning. It takes time and practice but it’s worth it! Several survivors have reported “I feel taller” and “my entire body moves better.”

Cancer treatment is a tremendous journey, be kind to yourself and protect yourself with a proud posture.

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