Cancer-Related PTSD & Racial Equity: Bridging the Treatment Gap
SYTAR 2023
Cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CR-PTSD) was first recognized as a mental health diagnosis in 2000. This workshop focuses on cancer-related medical trauma, including the mental health treatment gap for CR-PTSD and the impact of this gap on minoritized and low-income patients. Through the lens of the Pancha Kosha model, we will also explore symptoms of cancer treatment and learn specific yoga therapy techniques for supporting people experiencing these effects.
Those with cancer may not receive a diagnosis of CR-PTSD because the PTSD symptoms overlap with cancer treatment side effects. Anxiety, depression, cognitive fog, and insomnia are deeply intertwined, exacerbating one another and significantly reducing the quality of life—and they are often seen as symptomatic of a cancer diagnosis, not as a separate mental health issue. Disparities rooted in systemic racism prevent many from accessing cancer screening and treatments. Sadly, the same populations at greater risk of developing CR-PTSD face greater stigma around receiving mental health services and have less access to such services, resulting in a treatment gap.
Yoga therapists are uniquely positioned to meet these underserved patients by working with local cancer support groups and other nonprofit organizations. In addition, we can introduce yoga’s benefits to populations who may not otherwise have access to studio classes. During our workshop, we will share strategies for making yoga therapy more accessible to these groups. We will also explore a simple yoga therapy protocol that combines adaptive asana, mudra, pranayama, sound, and yoga nidra. These yoga therapy practices can be offered preventively to symptomatic patients and, over time to increase stress resilience.
Those with cancer may not receive a diagnosis of CR-PTSD because the PTSD symptoms overlap with cancer treatment side effects. Anxiety, depression, cognitive fog, and insomnia are deeply intertwined, exacerbating one another and significantly reducing the quality of life—and they are often seen as symptomatic of a cancer diagnosis, not as a separate mental health issue. Disparities rooted in systemic racism prevent many from accessing cancer screening and treatments. Sadly, the same populations at greater risk of developing CR-PTSD face greater stigma around receiving mental health services and have less access to such services, resulting in a treatment gap.
Yoga therapists are uniquely positioned to meet these underserved patients by working with local cancer support groups and other nonprofit organizations. In addition, we can introduce yoga’s benefits to populations who may not otherwise have access to studio classes. During our workshop, we will share strategies for making yoga therapy more accessible to these groups. We will also explore a simple yoga therapy protocol that combines adaptive asana, mudra, pranayama, sound, and yoga nidra. These yoga therapy practices can be offered preventively to symptomatic patients and, over time to increase stress resilience.
Downloadable Materials
WORKSHOP PRESENTATION:
YOGA THERAPY PROTOCOLS:
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YOGA NIDRA RESOURCES:
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Body Scan
A standalone practice that is also a part of the traditional Yoga Nidra meditation. You move your awareness through different parts of your body to improve mind-body integration and relaxation. LISTEN: |
Yoga Nidra for Healing
A guided meditation that leaves you feeling more capable of mindfully managing your stress. This was written for patients going through chemotherapy but is appropriate for anyone going through a health crisis. LISTEN: |
Yoga Nidra for Insomnia
This meditation differs in that it takes you into a deeply relaxed state, then allows you to simply fall asleep. Get ready for bed, play this track, and allow it to guide you into sweet slumber. LISTEN: |
RESEARCH & ARTICLES:
Cancer-Related PTSD:
- Cancer-Related Post-traumatic Stress (PDW®)-Health Professional Version - https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/survivorship/new-normal/ptsd-hp-pdq#cit/section_2.8
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5676567/
- Are we missing PTSD in our patients with cancer? - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6516338/#b11-conj-29-2-141
- Manager Cancer-Related PTSD Starts with Acknowledgement - https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/managing-cancer-related-ptsd-starts-with-acknowledgement
- Comorbidity of common mental disorders with cancer and their treatment gap: findings from the World Mental Health Surveys - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pon.3372
- The Relationship between Anxiety and Depression - https://www.hartgrovehospital.com/relationship-anxiety-depression/
- Anxiety and Sleep - https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/anxiety-and-sleep
- Anxiety in cancer patients - https://www.nature.com/articles/6691405
- Cognitive impairment in generalized anxiety disorder revealed by event-related potential N270 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4461089/
- A Vicious Cycle: Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression - https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/vicious-cycle-insomnia-anxiety-and-depression
- A meta-analysis of depression severity and cognitive function - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032709001700
- Lack of Sleep and Cancer: Is There a Connection? - https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/lack-of-sleep-and-cancer-is-there-a-connection
- Sleep Disturbances in Cancer - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3021374/
- Depression and cancer: mechanisms and disease progression - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322303005663
- Depression and cancer mortality: a meta-analysis - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/depression-and-cancer-mortality-a-metaanalysis/0C624A328C0D8275C13F13ECEE5DD30C
- Cancer, cognitive impairment, and meditation - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02841860802415535
- Insomnia and daytime cognitive performance: a meta-analysis - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079211000372
- Changes in cognitive function in patients with primary insomnia - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579457/
- Racial Disparities in Postraumatic Stress After Diagnosis of Cancer - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3627645/
- Cancer health disparities in racial-ethnic minorities in the United States - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-020-01038-6
- Removing Obstacles to Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Behavioral Health Care - https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0029
- Racial Disparities in Post-traumatic Stress After Diagnosis of Localized Breast Cancer: The BQUAL Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3627645/
- Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes, Screening, and Treatment - https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/racial-disparities-in-cancer-outcomes-screening-and-treatment/#:~:text=Research%20suggests%20that%20racial%20cancer,rooted%20in%20racism%20and%20discrimination.
CONTACT INFORMATION & BIO:
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Cheryl Fenner Brown, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
Integrative Yoga Therapist Holy Fire® Karuna® Reiki Master www.YogaCheryl.com cherylbrownyoga@gmail.com Bahama, NC Cheryl found yoga in 2001 to ease chronic back pain and has been enchanted by the connections between the body, breath, mind, and emotions. Her students appreciate how she weaves anatomy, philosophy, asana, mudra, sound, pranayama, and Yoga Nidra together, blending science with yoga's ancient roots. Cheryl has trained with master Hatha teachers from Piedmont Yoga Studio, Integrative Yoga Therapy, and Reiki masters on both coasts. This combination helps her to blend the traditional Hatha teachings and alignment principles with subtle energy work and intuitive healing. She specializes in working with cancer patients and older adults in various studio and clinical environments. She offers teacher training and mentoring in adaptive asana and the subtle practices of mudra, pranayama, sound, and Yoga Nidra for yoga schools nationwide. In addition, she leads a yearly 60-hr Healing Yoga for Cancer certification training through 8 Limbs Yoga and recently published her digital app, the 'Yoga Encyclopedia', available on Google Play and the App Store.
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