Undergoing cancer treatment? Integrative support therapies can help manage symptoms
The NIH reports "Approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes (based on 2015–2017 data)."
They continue, 'In the United States, the overall cancer death rate has declined since the early 1990s" and "As the overall cancer death rate has declined, the number of cancer survivors has increased. "
Treating cancer very often includes a team of medical professionals and at times, a patient may feel a certain loss of control among other struggles. The good news is that integrative medicine can provide benefits. The Cancer Treatment Center of American reminds us that, "The goal of integrative cancer care is to help patients better tolerate treatment-related side effects in order to reduce treatment delays or interruptions and get the most out of life.
They also share that:
Up to 80 percent of adults living with cancer are malnourished.
An estimated 65 percent of patients take a dietary supplement during treatment.
One in three cancer patients continues to experience pain after treatment.
At diagnosis, one in two patients has some form of nutritional deficit.
At least seven in 10 cancer patients undergoing treatment experience fatigue.
Fewer than one in five patients receives spiritual support from a doctor.
One in two cancer patients experiences significant distress.
To be clear, we do not treat cancer directly, but as integrative health professionals, we have served as important members of that team by helping a patient mitigate the suffering from the bulleted points above.
How we help
First and foremost, we talk with you and listen to your concerns, goals, and challenges. We learn about your diagnosis and course of treatment. Then we propose a regimen tailored to your needs which may include but are not limited to therapies such as IV drips, medical cannabis, and essential oils.
Many oncologists are receptive to integrative medicine. Some are not. No worry. Cancer treatment may be structured, but you have options about your care.
Wherever one is on one's cancer treatment path, we can help. Let's start by having a conversation