A new study claims meditation, yoga, and support groups are beneficial for breast cancer survivors on a cellular level.

Previous studies and research has suggested meditation and yoga have various benefits, including reduced fatigue and stress.

Research teams from the University of Calgary and the Alberta Health Services' Tom Baker Cancer Centre found that mindfulness meditation, gentle Hatha yoga and attending emotional support groups protect the telomeres of breast cancer survivors.

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Telomeres are protective DNA caps on the end of chromosomes. Each time cells divide, these telomeres -- repetitive sections at the end of the chromosomes -- shorten each time the cells divide.

Telomeres are likened to a sort of genetic ticking clock. It's been associated with the length of human lives, as well as the development of forms of cancer, heart diseases, and diabetes.

A group of 271 female breast cancer survivors with an average age of 55 were studied. These women had completed all medical treatments at least three months prior to the study and were experiencing high levels of emotional stress.

Some of the women were required to attend a 90-minute group session of mindfulness meditation and gentle Hatha yoga once a week for eight weeks. They were also asked to practice meditation and yoga at home for 45 minutes.

Other participants were placed in a supportive therapy group, which required them to attend a 90-minute group session for 12 weeks.

The control group were women assigned to attend a 6-hour stress management class.

The results showed 88 of the 271 women that went to all three activities had longer telomere lengths than the control group.

The team says this indicates "it is possible to influence telomere length in cancer survivors through the use of psychosocial interventions involving group support, emotional expression, stress reduction, and mindfulness meditation."

TagsMeditation, Yoga, Support groups, breast cancer, telomeres