Yoga and Cancer: Surprising Benefits of an Ancient Discipline
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This is where spirituality meets science.
With roots stretching back thousands of years, yoga evolved into a routine that connects the body and mind. Over time, it spread around the continents, gaining popularity in the West beginning in the late 19th century and eventually becoming a widely practiced approach to both physical and mental well‑being.
Recently, studies presented at the latest meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which brings together experts from the United States and around the world, suggest that yoga may offer cancer patients benefits that go well beyond spirituality.
These studies show that yoga and moderate, structured exercise “significantly” reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, in other words, the risk of the disease returning.
These practices can also help people who have completed or are currently receiving cancer treatment to:
- Reduce anxiety
- Overcome fatigue
- Improve sleep
While scientific research places a strong emphasis on treatment, cancer care involves much more than medications and therapies.
At the 2025 ASCO conference, researchers presented results from the CHALLENGE trial, funded by Cancer Research UK, which showed that exercise may help prevent the recurrence of colorectal cancer.
This year, a first‑of‑its‑kind study found that a four‑week gentle yoga program can help reduce:
- the long‑term effects of a cancer diagnosis
- the side effects of the treatment
The randomized trial, conducted in the United States, found that participants in the YOCAS (“Yoga for Cancer Survivors”) program reported more stable moods, lower levels of anxiety and fatigue, and better sleep quality compared with those who received standard follow‑up care after cancer treatment.
Researchers at the University of Rochester plan to develop versions of the YOCAS program that can be accessed online and through mobile apps.
Sources consulted