Cancer Aging and Yoga

by Ram

Desert Flower by Marie Lossky (@Marie.Lossky on Instagram)

Is there a link between cancer and aging? Well, there is now irrefutable evidence that age is the single greatest risk factor for cancer. Nearly 70% of people who have cancer are 65 years or older and nearly 60% of cancer survivors are in their sixties. Interestingly, a subset of the biological mechanisms that regulate the aging process is also involved in the development of cancer. Since the population of adults reaching older ages is increasing rapidly, the total number of new cancer cases will also increase if current incidence rates remain unchanged. By 2030, an estimated 70% of all cancers will occur among adults aged 65 years or older. 

Being older can also affect cancer treatment and management. The issue becomes more complicated if the aged individual has another existing disease or disability (co-morbidity). Studies show that doctors restrict older adults from receiving every treatment that is available due to fears of side effects because of the age factor. Thus, older adults have fewer treatment options for cancer than younger people. And while older individuals deal with the mental and emotional challenges of cancer better than younger people, they have other concerns about how cancer treatment could affect their ability to live alone without support, how radiation therapy can compromise other organ function, or how chemotherapy could affect their memory. 

Although aging itself cannot be reversed, the age-associated factors that contribute to cancer risk can definitely be prevented, reversed, or delayed (see Aging: Terms and Theories). For example, it has been shown that when some of the environmental factors that influence the aging process are controlled, this can also delay or completely block the onset of cancer. Similarly, suitable dietary intervention or drugs that possess anti-aging activity are able to delay or prevent cancer. 

Current research suggests that for most adults who maintain a healthy lifestyle, cancer is not an inevitable consequence of growing older (see Yoga for Cancer: An Interview with a Nurse and Cancer Survivor). In contrast, the prevention or at least the delay of cancer can be viewed as an effective strategy for achieving a healthy, long life. Interestingly, several of the research studies point to midlife as the most crucial period in determining an individual’s longevity and chances of getting cancer (see Yoga for Cancer: An Interview with Cheryl Fenner Brown). Midlife is also the time when some well-recognized risk factors for cancer begin to have an impact on an individual’s lifespan. The occurrence of chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes tends to increase during midlife, and have been associated with increased cancer risk and reduced lifespan. Thus, the promotion of good lifestyle practices during midlife is a promising strategy to prevent or delay cancer incidence and to achieve a productive health span (Aging: Terms and Theories). Strategies include but are not limited to diet intervention, supplements, nutraceuticals, stress management, and exercise. 

One noteworthy intervention that is attracting a lot of attention among researchers and health practitioners alike is yoga! We have written several articles on how yoga limits age-associated degenerative changes (See a subset of articles on this topic by Baxter, Nina, Brad, Beth, Ram and Shari). Several studies now show that a yoga regimen for adults at midlife or individuals undergoing cancer treatment not only improves psychological outcome and physical symptoms as well, but also in that process extends the life span of those individuals (see Review of yoga therapy during cancer treatment). Yoga has been shown to improve diverse outcomes among cancer survivors by reducing adverse symptoms and mood disorders, and by enhancing function. Researchers are amazed at yoga’s potential to simultaneously address multiple areas, including social, physical, and psycho-emotional, and simultaneously enhance strength, coordination, balance, posture, and flexibility in cancer victims (see Evidence-Based Yoga Interventions for Patients With Cancer). 

Studies have shown that a structured yoga practice during cancer treatment can reduce stress and anxiety, and can radically improve symptoms such as pain and fatigue by reducing heart rate and blood pressure and easing the lung’s respiratory function. Additionally, yoga asana—no matter how gentle the movements—along with meditation allows the body to release endorphins that alleviates depression, anxiety, and insomnia to help patients become emotionally strong during the cancer treatment. 

All these research studies are revealing what cancer centers and yogic practitioners have long known: cancer survivors can benefit from yoga! So, if you have a loved one with cancer, encourage that individual to have a yoga practice that can serve as a way to help deal with the physical, mental, and emotional stresses. The calming effects of yoga and meditation provide a physically and emotionally beneficial activity which can be life affirming to a cancer patient, survivor, or even a caregiver to someone who is fighting the battle with cancer. Plus, it could add years to their life.

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