We investigated the inhibitory effects of solvent extracts from dried yam on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and growth of cancer cell lines (HT1080 human fibrosarcoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cells). Yam (Dioscoreacea) has been recognized as a healthy food due to its various biological activities, such as anti-obesity, anti-constipation, anti-proliferation, and anti-mutagenic activities, as well as its ability to decrease blood glucose and cholesterol levels. In order to determine the protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress, DCFH-DA (dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate) assay was conducted. Acetone with methylene chloride (A+M) extract of dried yam appeared to reduce the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) with dose responses. Among the fractions, 85% aq. methanol fraction showed the highest protective effect on production of lipid peroxides. Inhibitory effects of A+M and methanol (MeOH) extracts on the growth of HT1080 and HT-29 cancer cells increased in a dose dependent manner. The treatments of n-hexane, 85% aq. methanol and n-butanol fractions (${geqq}0.5$ mg/ml concentrations) significantly inhibited the growth of both cancer cells (p<0.05). From these results, 85% aq. methanol fraction showed inhibitory effects on cellular oxidation and growth of human cancer cells, suggesting that this fraction may contain active compounds of dried yam.