Application of Dincharya, Rutucharya and Yoga for the Prevention and Management of Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases having an uncontrolled unregulated division of abnormal cells that tend to spread to all other parts of the body. It is observed that about 80-90 percent of the causes of cancer include unhealthy diet, behavioral habits, and environmental factors that can be prevented. Cancer is not described in Ayurveda, but in Brihatatrayi, there is a description of Granthi and Arbuda, which can be correlated with cancer due to the similarity in nature and clinical course. In Ayurveda, there are three major causes of any ailment: Kala Parinam, Pragyaparadha, and AsatmendriyarthaSamyoga. All of this can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Hence there is a need to focus on a healthy lifestyle to manage and prevent cancer. Concept of Primordial prevention: The holistic approaches of Swasthavritta like Healthy dietary and behavioral habits, Dincharya, Ritucharya, not restraining nonsuppressible urges and holding suppressible desires, Good conduct, Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, and Shatkarma purifying procedures, all come under primordial prevention. This is the prevention of the risk factors by optimizing lifestyles associated with cancer by following the holistic principles of Ayurveda. Various research studies also proved that these principles of Ayurveda are helpful in the prevention and recovery of cancer patients. On the basis of the conclusion from the literature and available research on cancer, it can be said that adopting the holistic principles of Ayurveda is beneficial in preventing the risk of various types of cancers.