A new study from researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine shows that yoga can benefit ethnic minority breast cancer survivors, particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, as well as those from under-served communities.

During the 12 week study, researchers compared quality of life measures between two groups of women with early stage breast cancer; one group took a weekly yoga class and the other group didn't. More women in the non-yoga group experienced a worsening of social well-being compared to the yoga group. The yoga classes seemed to offer social support, which may have helped counteract loneliness and isolation, which is common after a cancer diagnosis.

The women in the yoga group participated in a gentle, seated form of yoga based on Integral Hatha Yoga, and classes were provided in both English and Spanish.

In February 1996, to emphasize a belief that exercise is beneficial for breast cancer survivors and to increase breast cancer awareness, the first Breast Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat of Vancouver, B.C., team was formed. At the time, Dr. Donald McKenzie did not agree with the common belief that women who had undergone breast cancer surgery and treatments should not do upper body exercise because it would cause lymphedema and tissue damage. He felt the opposite was true, and with a grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada, set out to prove his theory that repetitive upper body exercise had positive outcomes for breast cancer survivors. 

Paddling proved not only very healthy for the women physically, it also provided a profoundly positive mental and emotional shift in their outlook. "During most breast cancer treatment, you are passive," states Dr. McKenzie "The most active you are is swallowing a pill. You are not doing anything and you are not in control. Here was something you can do that would improve your health, and you are in control. It makes such a difference when you are able to say, 'Here's something I can control.'"

Dragon Boat Racing is an ancient Chinese ceremony that symbolizes man's struggle with nature and his fight against deadly enemies. Dragon boats are large canoe-like boats with a crew of 20-26 paddlers, a steers person, and a drummer. At the end of the modern day dragon boat race, competing breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams salute each other. The social bonds created between breast cancer dragon boat racers have proven to be as psychologically beneficial as the physical benefits in preventing lymphedema. The study article, Abreast in a boat -- a race against breast cancer, is available as a PDF document.

University of California researchers report finding that faith, the use of prayer or meditation, and religion, provide protective health benefits for cancer survivors. For seven years, researchers monitored the heart-rate variability of 23 women breast cancer survivors. Heart-rate variability, the beat-to-beat changes in heart rate, of healthy people will vary depending on circumstance.

According to the explanation given by researchers, a higher heart-rate variability indicates flexibility in the body's ability to respond efficiently to stress and is considered to be a marker of good health. A more inflexible, monotonous heart rate is associated with cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety, and mortality. The researchers discovered the women who used prayer or meditation to find comfort during moments of stress and women of strong religious faith, had significantly better heart-rate variability than women who did not identify themselves to any spiritual practices or religion.

Carissa Low, lead researcher stated, "These findings are consistent with an emerging literature on the beneficial impact of faith and spirituality on health."

While working at the same company, Sharon Henifin and Becky Olson became best friends. When Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer, Becky was there for Sharon. That's what best friends do. Three years later, Becky was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it was Sharon's turn to be everything a best friend is best at being, when a friend needs you to be there.

Today, both women are breast cancer survivors who got together and started Breast Friends, based on what the two know best, how to be a best friend. Breast Friends is a friends and family network of inspiration and support at a time when a cancer patient needs someone to be there. They have a list of 41 Great Ideas of ways you can be there for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Here are a few ideas:

1. Just call to chat.
2. Send out e-mail to co-workers and friends and give your friend's address so people can send cards and letters.
3. Cook a meal for her family on chemotherapy days.
4. Drop by with a milkshake.
5. Just call to chat.
6. Arrange for a day of babysitting so she can rest.
7. Many restaurants have gourmet foods to go. Bring home her favorites and enjoy them with her in comfy clothes.   
8. Bring over an assortment of herbal teas. Looking for a better nights sleep? Try chamomile. Need an afternoon pick up? Try hibiscus and rose hips.
9. Just call to chat.
10. Create a fun "Do Not Disturb" sign for her to use if she needs some alone time.
11. Try art therapy. Not creative enough? Bring over a couple of coloring books and color crayons and help her feel like a kid again with color book therapy.
    
12. Oh yeah ... just call to chat!

When you know someone who is diagnosed with cancer, you want to do something, but you may not know what to do. You may be afraid of doing the wrong thing. As you can see in 41 Great Ideas, it's simply about being there.

Sue Richards, of The Breast Views blog, is a social entrepreneur, artist, activist, participant in a collaborative creative process of community members for public art, and out to change the world. One calendar at a time. Innovative and outspoken, imaginative and talented, she created the Breast of Canada calendar, now in it's fifth year of publication. Her calendar is designed to create conversation and raise awareness of issues concerning women's breast health. The Canadian Breast Cancer Network, a national network and voice of breast cancer survivors, is a key sponsor in the publication efforts of Richards Breast of Canada calendar.