Supportive Care: Large Studies Ease Yoga, Exercise Into Mainstream Oncology

Extract

Lots of small observational studies have suggested that yoga, exercise, and other mind–body techniques can reduce the stress and side effects of cancer treatment. But little compelling evidence has been available to support their use and most oncologists don’t include such alternative medicine approaches in treatment plans.

That could be changing, though. Large randomized trials of yoga have recently been concluded or are under way, and some cancer centers are beginning to offer complementary treatments in-house.Professional and patient groups have given space on their websites to these methods for coping with symptoms. And professional meetings are giving more time to complementary, or “integrative medicine,” approaches for symptom management.

Linda Sutton, M.D., medical director of the Duke Oncology Network in Durham, N.C., has observed the recent change in attitude in the oncology community toward exercise and other complementary techniques as part of treatment plans. At the 2009 San Antonio Breast Cancer meeting, she noted that for the first time the session on exercise and nutrition had a prominent place in the program.