After you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, you've probably tried everything you can to get better quickly. That's normal. Along with the treatments your doctor gives you, you've probably also been looking for other things that can help you feel better and feel better during this difficult time. So, today we're talking about things that you can do to help you along with your main medical treatments. We call these complementary treatments .
Are 'complementary' and 'alternative' the same thing?
Yes, there is a big difference between these two words. It is very important to understand this clearly.
- Standard Care: This is what we call Western medicine, the scientifically proven treatments that doctors recommend. For breast cancer, that means things like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, and surgery. These should be the foundation of your treatment.
- Complementary Treatment : Simply put, this is something that you do "alongside" the main treatment your doctor is giving you. Think of it like doing yoga to help relieve the nausea you're experiencing while you're undergoing chemotherapy. This is to help reduce the side effects of the main treatment and to help you feel better mentally and physically.
- Alternative Treatment: This is a bit risky. Because it means "stopping" the standard treatment given by the doctor and using another treatment method instead. Although some of these are centuries old, their effectiveness and safety have not been adequately researched scientifically. Therefore, stopping the treatment recommended by doctors and resorting to alternative treatments is absolutely unacceptable.
The most important thing is that complementary therapies are only a support to your main treatment journey. They are never a substitute for main treatments.
What are some popular complementary treatments that can help with breast cancer?
Often, these complementary therapies attempt to bring healing not only to the body, but also to the mind, emotions, and "the whole person." Let's look at some popular methods that can bring relief to women with breast cancer .
| Treatment method | The benefits that are obtained | Warnings and precautions to be aware of |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture | It can help reduce hot flashes, vomiting, pain, and fatigue caused by some cancer treatments. | If you have had lymph nodes removed from your armpit, there is a risk of swelling in your arm (Lymphedema) if you prick your arm. If your immune system is very weak, the risk of infection is high. It is essential to talk to your doctor. |
| Yoga | Improves energy, vitality, and quality of life. Gentle yoga styles, especially Hatha and Restorative, focus on breathing and mental calm. | As with acupuncture, if lymph nodes have been removed, yoga poses that place a lot of weight on the arms (e.g. power yoga) may increase the risk of lymphedema. Ask your doctor before starting any exercise. |
| Tai Chi and Qigong | These are Chinese exercise methods that involve very gentle, slow movements, breathing, and meditation. They are said to improve mental well-being, self-esteem, and quality of life. | These are very gentle, so the risks are low. But it's wise to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. |
| Reiki | An energy healing technique originating in Japan. It is said to manipulate energy by moving the hands above the body, without placing them on the body. Many people report a sense of well-being and a reduction in pain. | It has not yet been scientifically proven how this works or its benefits, but no harm has been reported. |
Be careful with herbs, vitamins, and supplements!
This is a very important part.
We often think that "natural" things, such as herbs and vitamins, won't cause any harm. But that's a big mistake, especially for someone undergoing cancer treatment.
- Although some claim that antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E prevent or cure cancer, research has not proven this.
- Warning : Some herbs and vitamins, especially when taken in high doses, can affect your chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
- For example, St. John's wort, an herb used by some people for depression, blocks the action of some cancer drugs.
- Taking high doses of vitamin C can change the way chemotherapy and radiation treatments affect your body.
Therefore, before using garlic cloves, ginseng, ginkgo, soy, valerian, or any other vitamin or herbal supplement, definitely, I repeat, definitely talk to your doctor .
Relief from mind-relieving treatments
When fighting cancer, it can be a huge burden on both the body and the mind. Therefore, it is very important to focus on things that will heal the mind.
- Meditation: Helps you stay focused and calm.
- Listening to music or drawing: good ways to reduce stress.
- Journaling: Writing down your feelings , fears, and hopes can be a great release.
- Support Groups: Talking to others who have had similar experiences as you gives you the feeling that "I'm not alone." That's a great strength.
These things will help you feel mentally relaxed and give you positive energy to face this challenge.
Most importantly: Talk to your doctor before doing anything.
No matter what complementary treatment you're considering, it's important to talk openly with your doctor about it. Ask them these questions.
- "Doctor, I'm thinking of trying this additional treatment. What are the scientifically proven benefits of this? "
- " What are the possible risks of this? "
- "Will this treatment have any effect on the main treatments I'm currently taking (chemo/radiation)? "
- "Have patients reported that this helps with things like my sleep and mental well-being?"
Your doctor will definitely be happy that you are talking openly like this, because it is better for your health to make an informed decision than to do something without informing him and risking your health.
Take-Home Message
- Complementary treatments are something you do alongside your main medical treatment, not instead of it.
- Things like yoga, acupuncture, and meditation can help reduce the side effects of treatment and reduce stress.
- Be very careful: Always ask your doctor before taking any herbs, vitamins, or nutritional supplements. Some of them may interfere with your main cancer treatments.
- The most important point: No matter what complementary therapy you choose, it is essential to talk openly with your doctor and seek his advice before starting it.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න