Treatment

Improving a patients’ quality of life and overall well-being by incorporating non-drug approaches and encouraging lifestyle approaches.

In the throes of cancer treatment, patients find themselves coping with a variety of side effects. From brain fog, to fatigue to gastrointestinal issues, chemotherapy can cause a myriad of side effects. Patients are often prescribed medications to manage these side effects but many of those drugs come with side effects of their own. By incorporating non-drug approaches such as acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic care and also encouraging lifestyle approaches such as nutrition and movement, patients’ quality of life and overall well-being will improve. And these practices are not limited to time in active treatment, they can utilize these practices beyond cancer care.

A recent study published in the Journal of Oncology found that complementary and lifestyle therapies such as nutrition and exercise had a positive impact on patients’ survivorship. The study screened both breast cancer patients and oncologists and found that hospitals that offered integrative services in tandem with conventional treatments increased survival rates for the patients.

For patients going through active treatment, issues with sleep, stress and other side effects can have an impact on well-being and that can contribute to how the body responds to conventional treatments. By engaging patients and educating them about evidence-based practices such as nutrition counseling, exercise counseling, psycho-oncology support, patient support groups, and spiritual needs, patients will feel empowered to take back some control and support their healing and quality of life during cancer treatment and beyond.