Tai Chi and Breast Cancer

Studies link meditation, support, and Tai Chi practices with healing for breast-cancer survivors

November 4, 2014

Tai Chi (credit: Anita Ritenour, CC)

Two recent studies suggest that meditation, support groups, and Tai Chi are associated with healing for breast cancer survivors.

Canadian researchers found that practicing mindfulness meditation or being involved in a support group has “a positive physical impact” at the cellular level in breast cancer survivors.

The researchers, at Alberta Health Services’ Tom Baker Cancer Centre and the University of Calgary Department of Oncology, demonstrated that telomeres (cellular markers of aging and longevity) maintain their length in breast cancer survivors who practice meditation or are involved in support groups, while they shorten in a comparison group without any intervention./.../