Breast cancer patients are finding that the rhythmic breathing and stretching techniques of the Guo Lin qigong exercise system can help with their recovery.
The effectiveness of the exercise in treating cancers in general has been documented in scientific studies over the four decades since it was developed in Beijing. Now a Hong Kong professor is studying its effectiveness against breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in the city.
Chen Jianping, a professor at the University of Hong Kong's School of Chinese Medicine, is trying to learn if Guo Lin qigong can ease the side effects of chemotherapy - such as poor appetite, loss of sleep, nausea and fatigue, as well as ease numbness and swelling after surgery.
The results were promising after a preliminary study conducted last month. Guo Lin qigong was taught to 28 women with breast cancer. Eighteen of the women reported feeling more optimistic and emotionally stable, 12 found they could sleep better and 10 saw their appetites improve.
'The key is that Guo Lin qigong helps the patient breathe more,' said Chen. 'The more oxygen you take in, the more difficult it is for cancerous tumours to grow.' Higher levels of oxygen in the blood makes chemotherapy more effective.
Now Chen is expanding her pool to 200 breast cancer patients for a study that will last for up to one year. Half the patients will learn Guo Lin qigong and the other half Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong - a school of qigong that improves health but is not targeted at fighting cancer.