How Does Integrative Oncology Assist Cancer Patients

The subject of integrative oncology is increasingly attracting the attention of researchers because a significant percentage of patients are looking for assistance that will go beyond pharmacological and medical interventions. Physicians note that Integrative cancer treatment includes standard cancer treatment combined with selected supportive therapies that might help enhance the patient’s quality of life.

Cancer not only impacts a person physically but also emotionally and psychologically, impacts sleeping, eating habits, daily activities, relationships within the family, and self-esteem of the patients. That is why the modern approach of most healthcare professionals to cancer treatment implies the consideration of all aspects related to the individual’s well-being.

What is integrative oncology and why is it becoming popular?

Integrative oncology is a patient-oriented type of cancer management that integrates conventional cancer treatment with selected complementary medicine according to the results of science and particular patients’ needs. The examples of conventional approaches include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

The aim of this approach is to assist patients in coping with different issues that may emerge during or after the process of cancer treatment. There might be such problems as fatigue, changes in eating habits, poor sleep, anxiety, inability to cope with usual activities, etc. 

Physicians feel that it could be planned by professional healthcare providers. Each patient has unique medical history, unique treatment, and unique state of health, which implies an customized approach to supportive treatments.

How does integrative oncology differ from alternative medicine?

There are many people who regard both concepts as being one and the same, but oncologists see some differences between them and describe them separately.

Alternative medicine involves the use of the treatment methods instead of mainstream and standard ones. In contrast, this supportive system is aimed at combining these approaches and does not involve the refusal from chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or any other type of treatment recommended by medical professionals.

Such clarification is required since postponing modern treatment might have an adverse effect on the treatment outcomes. That is why the healthcare professionals advise patients to inform their oncology specialists about complementary medicine before using it.

Integrative oncology treatment places much emphasis on collaboration and coordination of efforts. Coordination allows the treatment of patients in terms of both medical treatment and supportive therapy.

What kinds of supportive treatments do usually accompany integrative cancer treatment?

Supportive treatments in integrative methods vary depending on the health condition of the person, the stage of the treatment they are in, individual needs, etc. Thus, all the supportive therapies cannot be recommended to everyone.

Popular ideas include:

• Appropriate supportive care according to Ayurveda
• Healthy/prescribed nutritional 
• Supervised yoga practice
• Meditation
• Psychological support through counseling
• Physiotherapy
• Pain management

Qualified Ayurvedic therapists may perform supportive care for cancer patients after consultation with the medical team about the condition and current treatment stage of the patient. Remember that integrative oncology is not designed to replace traditional treatment but to supplement it.

How can integrative cancer treatment assist a patient?

Cancer therapy impacts every person in a particular way; some patients succeed in remaining active, but others may have some issues with their physical and psychological well-being.

Integrative cancer treatment strives to increase the quality of treatment outcomes through helping to solve issues other than those concerning the disease. In this regard, patients will need advice from concerned experts. 

Physicians also advise patients to openly discuss any symptoms that occur while on the course of treatment. Timely discussion of side effects can help health professionals to provide better medical support.

What are the functions of integrative treatment after cancer treatment?

It happens that many people think that the process of recovery is done along with the completion of chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy. It is explained by doctors that such an opinion might be incorrect as some issues may occur after treatment.

There are numerous cases when cancer survivors face difficulties regarding fatigue, appetite, sleeping, feelings or physical condition. The follow-ups will help the physician to monitor the recovery process of the patient, solve any problem if necessary, and identify any problems that require treatment.

Integrative cancer treatment facilitates this stage by recommending that the patients lead a healthy life alongside consultations from the physician. All this is based on the needs of the patient and should always complement the prescribed treatment of the cancer from the oncologists.

What is the role of Ayurveda in integrative oncology?

In relation to this, Ayurveda is used as a complementary treatment of the disease.

Ayurvedic therapists who have the proper qualifications may choose to look into areas such as diet, lifestyle, stress management, and other elements of general well-being after a thorough analysis of the patient’s health. The patient should inform their doctor regarding any Ayurvedic treatments or any other herbs since these plants may have an unwanted interaction with certain prescribed drugs or not be safe for everyone.

Patients also tend to ask for information about Rasayana Ayurveda; a practice of Ayurvedic medicine which is connected with rejuvenation and health maintenance. The concept of Rasayana is aimed at improving the overall well-being of the individual. Nonetheless, the doctors advise that none of the Rasayana herbs or other compounds should be considered as a cure or a replacement for cancer treatment.

The integration of modern oncology and wellness support will provide the patients with the help of specialists who know about the safety of the treatment and quality of life. Such an approach prevents any misunderstandings and facilitates informed health care decision making.

Why is proper nutrition, exercise, and psychological condition crucial during recovery from cancer?

As can be easily understood, cancer not only poses a threat to one’s body but also interferes with one’s psychological condition, interpersonal relations, employment and even self-confidence. All these spheres need time for reconstruction.

Doctors recommend patients to lead a healthy way of life. This includes such measures as:

• Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, fiber, and lean proteins
• Leading an active lifestyle depending on doctor’s advice
• Sleeping properly
• Handling stress via relaxation or consultation with professionals
• Not using tobacco and drinking alcohol in small quantities
• Being regularly present at all scheduled visits

Remember that all these measures do not ensure anything special but promote good health.

What should patients keep in mind when selecting supportive therapy?

It is easy to find hundreds of thousands of articles, videos, and ads on the Internet, which promise an instant recovery from the disease. But, doctors are extremely careful with this data and therefore, seek advice from specialists in matters of choosing treatment methods.

• First of all, patients have to realize that various natural remedies and dietary supplements can provoke drug interactions or are contraindicated in some diseases. This is the reason why any supplementary therapy has to be carefully considered with the oncologists’ participation.
• Integrative oncology is based on teamwork. There are oncologists, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and professional practitioners of alternative medicine who share their knowledge for developing an individual program of treatment. 
• The purpose of the integrated effort is to help the patients without compromising the safety of the process of treatment and recovery.
• In case you want to use supportive care, you need to consult your healthcare specialists on how to include it in the existing regimen of the treatment. 
• Consulting professional doctors on making your choices would be the most safe way to consider adding support.

What is the main message of Integrative Oncology?

Oncology treatment is not only about dealing with a disease. It is also about helping people preserve their dignity, independence, comfort and hope.

This approach acknowledges the importance of supportive care for the well-being of the patients while providing them with evidence-based medical care. It does not exclude such procedures or other treatment prescribed by oncologists.

Each person’s experience of being treated for cancer is unique. That is why supportive care should be personalized and based on the medical conditions of the patient.

For those who would like to know more on integrative cancer treatment, it is necessary to address an oncologist and health professionals. They will help to identify the appropriate supportive modalities for each case and make sure that cancer treatment is always safe.