In the backdrop of increasing cases of breast cancer among women in India, a study published in the journal, International Journal of Yoga, has claimed that yoga exercises such as pranayama as a supportive therapy can help lessen cancer-related agony and fatigue in the patients undergoing radiation treatment.

The study was conducted at Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Kasturba Hospital Manipal in Karnataka wherein 160 breast cancer patients getting treatment were selected for a clinical trial.

Eighty patients were asked to perform pranayama along with radiation therapy while rest 80 were given only radiation therapy with routine care.Patients had undergone surgical treatment and chemotherapy for their breast cancer, said the researchers Jyothi Chakrabarty, Donald Fernandes, Ganapathi Joisa, Sreemathi Mayya, Prabha Varghese, MS Vidyasagar from the hospital.

Experimental group of patients performed pranayama, morning and evening for five days a week for six weeks (from the day of starting radiotherapy until the last day of radiotherapy). Patients performed Nadi Sodhana for approximately five minutes (21-25 cycles), Sheethali for approximately five minutes (50-60 cycles) and Brahmari for approximately eight minutes (10 cycles) under supervision, said the researchers.

The patients performed pranayama morning and evening for the next five weeks under supervision.The researchers found that compared to those who were excluded from pranayama therapy, the one performing yoga exercises had reported less fatigue and stress even as they were receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a part of their treatment.

“Cancer-related fatigue is a problem before, during and after therapy, and it can continue to be a problem in cancer survivors as well. The authors also stated that fatigue can affect the activities of daily living of the people affected” the study said favouring the yoga exercise for the patients to handle the stress related with the disease.

The study has importance given that cancer-related fatigue has a very strong negative effect on quality-of-life as many patients find it difficult to carry out their activities of daily living. According to the government data, as many as 16 lakh cases of breast cancer among women are reported annually.