KANNUR: Yoga has become a boon for cancer survivors who face many problems due to the side effects of prolonged treatment. “Yoga is the best way to overcome the difficulties,” according to the Kannur-based NGO, Malabar Cancer Care Society (MCCS), which is working among cancer patients. “We started the programme in 2006 with the support of FORCE (Friends for cancer care), the forum of the cancer survivors. As many as 76 persons took yoga classes and remarkable changes occurred in their lives,” said D. Krishnanadha Pai, president of MCCS.
The yoga lessons are imparted by Kannur University Yoga coordinator Dr T.V. Padmanaban and guided by oncologists, including from the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. “Those who have undergone oral radiation later experience jaw problems. Jaw muscles become rigid and cannot be opened. Similarly, saliva used to flow out of their mouth and a bystander has to accompany them to wipe off the saliva. These problems were successfully treated by the yoga training,” said Dr Pai.
Initially, classes are given for a day in a week for the cancer survivors. They have to follow it daily at home and it must be monitored. A monthly review of the training and follow-up is also done. “The majority of the yoga students at MCCS consist of aged people. I provide yoga training as well as psychological counselling to the survivors,” says Dr Padmanaban. RCC medical superintendent Dr K. Ramdas is closely associated with the programme.
