What Holistic Cancer Treatment Entails

Holistic cancer treatment is becoming more common. It is partially driven by research but is primarily driven by the grassroots efforts of consumers.

What holistic cancer therapy consists of varies greatly regionally as well as within individual communities and cultures.

We have all seen commercials on television for hospitals which promote treating cancer holistically. Members of cancer support groups, a type of holistic treatment in itself, relate experiences with holistic cancer therapies. Some people think that shunning conventional treatment and using a certain type of alternative method is holistic cancer treatment. All of these are simply facets of it.

So what exactly is holistic cancer treatment? It depends upon who you ask. In my mind, I consider it to be treatment for cancer which takes into account the following:

* The whole person
* The cancer itself
* Conventional, alternative, and complementary treatment options
* The patient’s family
* Social supports, such as friends
* Spiritual support
* Logistics such as finances, transportation, child care
* Emotions
* Knowledge and education for the patient, loved ones, and community as a whole
* Stress reduction and coping strategies
* Prevention
* End of life support and hospice services for the family and patient
* Symptom management such as relief of nausea, pain , and anxiety
* Availability of resources
* Self esteem services such as wigs and prostheses

Holistic cancer care takes into account the whole person and their family. It addresses mind, body and spirit. As holistic cancer care is inclusive, it has room for conventional and alternative perspectives. Holistic care practitioners make use of whatever works for each patient as an individual. Conventional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy can be an important component of a holistic treatment plan for cancer. There is no one size fits all therapy plan.

Many therapies are utilized when implementing a holistic cancer treatment plan. Here are some of the most common:

* Conventional therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation shrink and eliminate tumors.

* Reconstructive surgery is used to restore form and increase feelings of wellbeing

* Pain management techniques vary from the use of narcotics via patient controlled intravenous lines, many of which are surgically implanted, to palliative radiation, herbs, acupuncture, acupressure and more.

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