When you receive a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosis, it’s not just a physical diagnosis. You also experience mental and emotional symptoms. For example, shortness of breath, fatigue, anxiety, and stress are common experiences that patients report during treatment. Many patients look for safe, supportive ways to feel more in control of their breathing and overall well-being.
One practice that is getting more attention is breathwork, a group of simple breathing exercises designed to calm the mind and support lung function. But is it safe for people undergoing lung cancer treatment? And can it actually help?
In this blog, we explore what you should know before integrating breathwork into your routine.
What’s breathwork?
Breathwork refers to structured breathing techniques that focus on slow, controlled, and mindful breathing. These practices are often used in wellness programs, physical therapy, and supportive cancer care.
Common techniques include:
- Diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing)
- Pursed-lip breathing
- Box breathing (inhale–hold–exhale–hold in equal counts)
- Mindful breathing used in meditation or yoga
Unlike strenuous exercise, breathwork is generally gentle and adaptable, making it accessible for many people with lung conditions.
Is breathwork safe for patients with NSCLC?
For most people with NSCLC, simple breathing exercises are considered safe when done gently and with guidance from your care team. Breathwork is often similar to techniques already used in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for lung diseases. However, safety depends on your individual situation, including:
- The stage of your cancer
- Whether you’ve had lung surgery
- Current treatments you’re receiving
- Symptoms such as severe shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain
It’s important to speak directly with your oncology team before starting new breathing exercises, especially if you recently had lung surgery or are experiencing breathing difficulties. Your oncologist or respiratory therapist can recommend the safest techniques for you.
The potential benefits of breathwork during cancer treatment
While breathwork can’t treat cancer itself, research and clinical experience suggest it may help support several aspects of well-being.
- Manage anxiety and stress: A cancer diagnosis understandably triggers significant emotional stress. Slow breathing exercises can activate the body’s relaxation response, which may help reduce anxiety. Breathing techniques are commonly used alongside practices like mindfulness meditation and yoga to help patients feel calmer and more grounded. And, studies suggest that controlled breathing can lower your heart rate, reduce stress hormones, and improve feelings of emotional control.
- Improve sleep and relaxation: Treatment-related stress, medication side effects, and anxiety can disrupt sleep. Slow breathing before bedtime may help patients relax their nervous systems, leading to reduced nighttime anxiety and the ability to fall asleep more quickly.
- Increased body awareness: Breathwork encourages patients to check in with their bodies, noticing tension, fatigue, or breathing changes. This awareness can help patients recognize symptoms earlier and communicate them to their care team.
Ask your doctor about integrating breathwork into your overall, supportive care experience. If your cancer center offers integrative oncology, ask if you can be connected to learn about simple breathwork techniques you can put to use at home.
Want to learn more about integrative oncology? Watch this Outcomes4Me webinar with Dr. Krisstina Gowin, integrative hematologist and oncologist at City of Hope.
