Integrative Approaches to Cancer Survivorship: Project 3

Post-treatment cancer survivorship is often associated with a void in care given the drop-off in support provided to survivors from the medical team as well as family and friends. In addition, cancer associated symptoms and impaired quality of life remain significant problems for patients despite advances in cancer treatment. Few effective treatment options exist for these symptoms. Integrative medicine is rising in popularity in the United States; however, few integrative medicine modalities have been rigorously studied. Ayurveda, a whole system of medicine that originated in the Indian subcontinent, has its own system of diagnostics and therapeutics, and among its strengths are wellness and prevention. In the Integrative Medicine intervention, Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle guidance will be presented, along with instruction in Yoga. In the Health Education intervention, informative content on issues relevant to breast cancer survivors will be presented including the physical, social and emotional impacts of survivorship. The investigators aim to perform a pilot RCT in breast cancer survivors with impaired quality of life. Specifically, the investigators aim to assess feasibility of randomization, adherence and retention to the Integrative Medicine and Health Education interventions.