Author: OncoStem
Author Archives: OncoStem
Breast Cancer and Recurrence post treatment
As we all know, there are no specific reasons for the occurrence of breast cancer. Since, the past few years, oncologists and scientists are categorising cancer as a lifestyle disease like diabetes. While there are many known factors that cause cancer, the majority of patients diagnosed with cancer do not have any specific risk factor. A few known risk factors that can be associated with an increased risk of cancer are age, unhealthy habits, family history, etc… Cancer can occur to any gender at any age, not depending on ethnicity either.
In women, breast cancer has a higher occurrence and is a major cause of high mortality. One positive aspect about the response of breast cancer to treatment is, that it can be cured if detected early. With timely diagnosis, right treatment, and healthy living, early-stage breast cancer patients can live a normal and longer life post-cancer.
However, post-treatment, one needs to be aware of the risk of recurrence. Many patients have relapses post-surgery and present with either local or metastatic recurrence. This could happen due to various reasons. Post breast cancer surgery, patients undergo a series of treatment protocols varying from chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, etc… Though these treatments are aimed to kill the cancer cells present in the body completely, there are chances that a few malignant cells escape and stay in the body unaffected. These cancer cells may be dormant for years without causing harm but these cells can also get activated after a certain period and grow and spread to other parts of the body.
Hence the question to be asked here is, “Is there a way to find out the risk of breast cancer recurrence?”
The answer is, yes! For early-stage hormone positive breast cancer, prognostic tests can help predict the risk of recurrence and help in personalising the treatment thereby, avoiding over treatment. With the help of prognostic tests, many early-stage breast cancer patients can avoid chemotherapy.
Which are these tests? Is there a test that is validated on Indian patients?
Yes! CanAssist Breast is a prognostic test developed by OncoStem Diagnostics in India and is validated on Indian patients, unlike the western prognostic tests which are not validated on Indian patients.
How does CanAssist Breast prognostic test help in identifying probable recurrence and for how many years?
CanAssist Breast uses a proteomics – based method and a proprietary machine learning-based algorithm to analyze a patented combination of protein biomarkers from the patient’s tumor to compute the risk of recurrence of cancer. Based on a recent study, CanAssit Breast can also be used to predict 10 years’ risk of recurrence.
Read more about the test here: About CanAssist Breast Prognostic Test
The FFPE block containing the tumor tissue removed from the breast during the surgery is sent to OncoStem lab along with the Histopathology reports of the patient. Upon clearing all the requisite criteria (check the criteria here), CanAssit Breast test is performed on tumor tissue. The test takes 8-10 working days (the fastest test in this category) to derive a report which highlights if the patient is at low-risk or high-risk for recurrence of cancer. If the risk prediction score is below or equivalent to 15.5, then the patient can skip chemotherapy. If the risk prediction score is above 15.5, then the patient can benefit from chemotherapy.
Recurrence risk prediction is crucial post-surgery and can be very helpful for the patient as well as the treating clinician to plan the appropriate treatment based on individual patient’s tumor biology.
More about breast cancer recurrence:
Risk factors
The following factors increase the likelihood of breast cancer patients developing a recurrence:
- Involvement of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes located nearby when you were originally diagnosed with cancer increase the risk of recurrence.
- Tumor size is larger. The risk of recurrent breast cancer is higher in people with larger tumors.
- Lack of radiation treatment following a lumpectomy. Most patients undergo radiation therapy post lumpectomy (removal of tumor form breast). The chance of recurrence is high in patients who skip radiation therapy or delay the treatment.
- Younger age. If the age is below 35 at the time of diagnosis, the chance of recurrence is high for breast cancer.
- Inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of breast cancer where the risk of recurrence is high.
- Cancer cells with certain characteristics. Patients with Triple negative breast cancer tends to have recurrence.
- People with higher body mass index (BMI) have higher chances of recurrence.
Prevention
Here are a few steps involved to prevent breast cancer recurrence:
- Post-surgery treatment. Post-surgery patients may have to undergo various therapies like hormone therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy. Timely treatment can prevent breast cancer recurrence.
- Maintaining a healthy weight. As obesity is a key risk factor for recurrence, maintaining a healthy weight can prevent recurrence.
- Physically active. Being physically active post treatment can also benefit at large to prevent recurrence.
- Healthy diet. Including lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains in the diet and limiting intake of alcohol can also help in preventing recurrence.
Breast Self Examination – Why & How
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different types of breast cancers. The type of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. Not all tumors or lumps found in the breast are malignant. One needs to visit their doctor for further evaluation.
The chances to cure breast cancer is high if detected early. Hence it is very important to look for any symptoms.
Self-Breast Examination
It is important for women to do a breast self-exam every month to check for changes. It is easier to treat and cure cancer early when it is easier to detect and treat. Regular breast examinations can help maintain breast health and detect cancer early. While most abnormalities and lumps don’t indicate cancer, you should alert your doctor about any changes you notice.
OVERVIEW
What is a breast self-exam?
An easy method for women to examine their breasts is a breast self-exam. When you regularly examine and feel your breasts, you can spot any irregularities.
Why should I do breast self-exams?
By checking your breasts monthly, you can spot changes that may indicate infection or cancer (such as lumps or spots that feel different). The chances of surviving breast cancer are much higher when the disease is detected early.
Conducting regular self-examinations is essential for breast health.
Doctors recommend screening tests and exams (such as mammograms) in addition to these. Regular visits to your primary care provider and/or gynecologist are still recommended.
Is there a particular time of the month I should do breast self-exams?
Every month, women should self-examine their breasts. After their period, women who are still menstruating (having a regular period) should perform a breast self-exam. Menstruating women and women who have irregular periods can pick a day of the month. Consider picking a consistent and easy-to-remember day, such as the first day of the month, the last day of the month or your favorite number.
How long does a breast exam take?
This simple self-exam can be easily incorporated into your daily routine and takes only a few minutes. Perform the breast exam while:
- wearing clothing during the day or undressing at night.
- lying in bed in the morning or at bedtime.
- taking a shower.
What are the steps of a breast self-exam?
- Visual inspection:Stand in front of a mirror with your shirt and bra off. Place your arms at your sides. Look for any changes in breast form, breast swelling, skin dimpling, or nipple alterations. Then, with your arms raised high overhead, search for the same items. Finally, press your hands firmly against your hips to flex your chest muscles. Keep an eye out for the same changes. Make sure you examine both breasts.
- Manual inspection while standing up:Remove your shirt and bra and examine your left breast with your right hand, then the other way around. Press each section of one breast with the pads of your three middle fingers. Apply gentle pressure first, then medium, and finally firm. Look for lumps, thick patches, or other irregularities. A circular pattern may assist you in hitting all of the targets. Then, under the arm, push the tissue. Check for discharge under the areola and then gently pinch the nipple. On the opposite side of your body, repeat the steps.
- Manual inspection while lying down:Your breast tissue distributes more evenly when you lie down. So, especially if your breasts are enormous, this is a wonderful posture to feel for changes. Place a pillow beneath your right shoulder and lie down. Your right arm should be behind your head. Apply the same approach as step 2 with your left hand, pressing all sections of the breast tissue and under your arm with the pads of your fingers. Finally, switch to the opposite side of the pillow and inspect the other breast and armpit. Check under the areola and gently pinch the nipple to see if there is any discharge.
RESULTS AND FOLLOW-UP
When should I consult my doctor about something I find in my breast self-exam?
Stay calm if you discover a lump or any other concerning changes. The majority of self-examination findings are not indicative of breast cancer. However, if you detect any, you should contact your doctor:
- A change in the breast’s appearance, sensation, or size
- The nipple’s appearance or feel changes
- Puffiness or dimpling of the skin
- Breast lump, hard knot, or thick area
- Nipple discharge
- Pulling inward of the nipple or other region
- A persistent ache in one location
- A rash around the nipple
- One or both breasts are swollen
- Redness, warmth, or dark patches on the skin.
Key take aways:
A monthly breast self-exam will aid in the maintenance of breast health and the detection of early signs of illness. You can add breast inspection stages into your daily routine, such as when getting ready for bed or showering. With eachbreast examination breast self-examination, you will gain a better understanding of your body. You will be more aware of changes if you know what is normal for you.
Breast cancer awareness services, including breast cancer screening, are offered by many hospitals, clinics, and health care providers.
Benefit of trusting ‘Made in India and Made for India’ solutions
Like any recently married woman in her early thirties, Alpana was looking to start a family. The world came crashing down on her and her family when she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Regular course of treatment would have taken 1 year of chemotherapy along with 5 years of hormonal therapy. During this period, Alpana would not have been able to conceive.
As a ray of hope, her treating Doctor informed her that the tumour was small which meant that she could manage it along with her pregnancy. The doctor also explained to her the option of fertility preservation if chemotherapy or hormone therapy are to be given to her as part of regular treatment. However, that would mean that she had to wait for another 5-6 years to conceive. Considering that she was already in her 30s, it was a difficult decision for Alpana. This is when her doctor suggested doing prognostication of the disease to plan the next course of treatment.
CanAssist Breast test was performed on Alpana’s tumor sample and the tumor was classified as ‘low-risk’ for cancer recurrence. What did this mean to Alpana? It meant that she could skip chemotherapy and take a year to conceive and deliver a baby, after which hormone therapy can be started for 5 years. Alpana did exactly that and delivered a healthy baby. It’s been 5 years since diagnosis, she enjoys being a doting mother to her child. She is currently doing well and has shown promising progress on hormonal therapy. CanAssist Breast was a life changing decision for Alpana and her family. We at OncoStem are exceedingly happy that we could help Alpana and family in our small way!
Hear from Amoga , a proud breast cancer survivor as she shares her journey
I Had Cancer, But Cancer NEVER had ME
I am Amoga. I still remember it was 2016 when I the lump was identified as cancerous growth, without any further delay I consulted the doctor. I underwent the screening & the report came as the CANCER. Yes, it was hard to digest but time was of essence.
Blurry Dreams & a Tint of Hope
A lot of thoughts clogged my mind regarding the dreaded chemotherapy. What is Chemotherapy??? Is it a really painful ??? Do I lose my hair??? In my early 40’s will I be able to take Chemotherapy??
With all these thoughts I consulted my doctor and the best thing was he suggested us to go for “CanAssist Breast” (CAB) test before opting for chemotherapy. That’s when a tint of hope entered my mind. Our doctor explained in detail about the CAB test & the risk factors. Without thinking further, we sent our FFPE blocks and reports to Bangalore Lab. We received the CAB report within 10 working days and consulted the doctor again with the CAB test report.
Leading a New Life – The wish for healing has always been half of health
CAB report mentioned that my cancer was not very aggressive and I may not benefit from taking chemotherapy. Reading the report, my doctor suggested me not to go for Chemotherapy & recommended to start with Hormone Therapy. I was relaxed hearing this & opted for Hormone therapy with regular follow-ups.
I have come through this journey strongly thinking when the sun goes down, the stars come out. It’s been 5years now being cancer-free without Chemotherapy. I would highly recommend other breast cancer patients to discuss with their clinicians and go for the CAB test.
There is a CAN in CANCER. B’coz we can beat it.
If I look back 5 years journey as a cancer survivor in my 40s, I think I am very thankful that my clinician talked to me about prognostic tests like CanAssist Breast. I was able to fight cancer without chemotherapy, thanks to CanAssist Breast test gave me a HOPE & HOPE is to live with courage & Confidence, Not Fear.
8 Tips for Taking care of a Breast Cancer patient in the family!
When your loved one has breast cancer, it is as scary for them as it is for you. By being sensitive to their needs and gently caring for them, you can show them your support during the process. These are a few things you can do to help out a breast cancer patient in the family:
- Always be there for them: Not only is the medical side of breast cancer worrisome, but it is also mentally taxing to visit a doctor given the gravity of the situation. In such situations having support from a family member is comforting. Even otherwise, they will feel more comfortable to have family around, which provides them with mental support. However, they might not want to make everyone busy at all times. Assure them that you want to do this because you love
them. - Exercise Together: Taking an evening walk or assisting your loved one in their recommended exercises, or fitness regimes together will help uplift their mood. You could even meditate or do yoga together. Having an exercise partner often motivates people to do it regularly. It will also
be a good way to release tension during such stressful times. - Plan Fun Activities but do not go overboard: Planning activities for your loved one will keep them distracted and make them feel good. It is important that you do not overdo it because that might begin having an opposite reaction on their mental health. They do not need to feel like they are being a burden in any way, even if you mean well with the activities. Keep it slow and simple. Take them to a nearby park, cook them their favourite food. Make sure their health
permits them to do the activity while also having some fun. - Treat Them: Give them flowers, cook them their favourite meals, or play them their favourite songs – small activities like these will make your loved ones feel good. It’s also important to check the diet for breast cancer patients after surgery to help them fight the weakness due to surgery. It can uplift their mood and boost the spirits of everyone else in the house. These do not have to be things that last for hours either. Simple gestures and small treats can go a long way.
- Talk About It: Breast cancer patients are not the only one who has to face it all. It does not mean that just because you are not affected you cannot express fear. Communicate your
feelings, let them know you are there and a part of their journey. You may think that being a
family member is something obvious, but expressing it loud will make them feel loved, supported and stronger. They are suffering, in pain, and scared but your presence will ease the
process for them. - Be responsible: You can take up the responsibilities of your loved one suffering from breast cancer. Things like booking appointments and providing them with their medication on time can provide a sense of accomplishment in their journey and will make them feel better.
- Take Care of Yourself Too: While the patient is going through a lot, they will rely on you to stay strong. If you fall apart from the stress, how will you help out your loved one? Express what you feel, talk to someone and get help on this. Get an adequate amount of sleep every night. Eat properly. Ensure that you have not forgotten to take care of yourself. You are on this journey with them and it is necessary for them, as well as for you, to stay healthy.
- Join Support Groups: Knowing stories of cancer survivors can bring hope in the life of your loved one. Sharing similar experiences can lessen the burden of the disease and will make your loved one feel better. Having a common platform and understanding that there are other people on a similar journey proves comforting. As a family member, you can check if there are support groups for loved ones, or if the patient’s group is inclusive of you.
Every 4 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer
How early detection of breast cancer can save your life?
The earlier the breast cancer is detected, the better the success rate of treatment will be! Early detection increases the chances of available treatment options, the survival rate of patients and a better quality of life. Many women do not experience any symptoms of breast cancer (not even a lump), which makes it vital for them to go in for regular screenings.
How to proceed?
- By age 40, you should begin undergoing screening, especially if you have a strong family history of the disease. Try speaking with your healthcare provider about various screening tests.
- Share your family history and medical history to help your doctor determine whether you are at average or high risk of breast cancer.
- It is recommended that women with an average risk for breast cancer should undergo mammogram testing once in a year after age 45.
- Also, it is important to discuss with your doctor the benefits, risks and limitations of breast cancer screenings.
- Apart from various screenings, every woman should be familiar with how their breasts look and feel. In case of any warning signs, it should be immediately reported to your primary care physician or gynecologist.
Breast Cancer Warning Signs that can be self-examined
Recognizing some of the most common warning signs of breast cancer can help in your early diagnosis and treatment. Some of the signs you can look for include:
- Skin changes of the breast, or a lump found in the breast tissue.
- Discharge from the nipple and pain in the area.
Early detection of breast cancer is the key to prevent its spread, its treatment, and recurrence. Early detection opens up the gates for effective treatment, increased survival, and improved quality of life.
Breast self-examination is crucial. Always remember to regularly self-examine yourself for any indications of breast cancer.
How Cancer Etiquette Can Help You Connect Better With Cancer Patients
Don’t ignore them
Personal support from friends and family members is necessary for cancer survivors. Therefore, visitors to the home of a cancer patient could bring flowers to cheer up the mood of a patient. Casual conversations, social discussions about friends, movies, organizing visits to the theater, arranging for new social events, etc. can help drive a conversation with patients. Regular visits to a patient also help them regain their confidence and reintegrate themselves back into society.
Visitors must be good listeners
Every visitor must make a conscious effort to re-establish connections with a patient. This can take the form of listening to the words and narratives from a patient, lending helping hand in house chores, add words of comfort or encouragement to a conversation, promise to organize a trip with friends, watching television shows together, and so on. However, listening must be an active pursuit because this act directly engages with a patient and allows him or her to vent their fears, joys, and hopes for the future.
Don’t be intrusive or judgmental
Words and acts that signal care and comfort should flow freely in conversations with patients in any setting. Right words of encouragement help a patient to cope up with their journey and speed up the recovery process. Friends and visitors must avoid asking medical questions such as tumor markers, chemotherapy, cancer treatment, and other personal questions as it would disrupt the mental peace of a patient.
Don’t minimize their experience
Avoid saying words and sentences that might make them feel sorry for themselves. Try saying “I hope it will be okay or “I’m really sorry,” instead of Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Also, do not refer to any cancer as good cancer; these statements downplay what they are going through actually.
Encourage stories
Long chats in the right direction tend to relieve the mental pressures that prey on cancer patients. A family friend, for instance, could narrate stories that relate outstanding recoveries in cancer patients. In this context, cancer patients can also join communities of survivors that share their recovery experiences. A large group of survivors could form a social club that meets regularly; members could read books and periodicals and attend a shared dinner event. These actions boost their self-esteem and create positive energies in their minds and hearts. Interested members of society can choose to join such groups and lead members in a positive direction.
Conclusion
Balanced etiquette and a sensitive approach to dealing with patients and survivors of cancer can make a world of difference among recoverees. Members of the society, friends, relatives, and fellow survivors can co-operate to create wonderful instances for a complete recovery, thereby elevating the quality of life for patients. These examples can form the bedrock of social attitudes that prevail in modern society and become a shining beacon of hope and encouragement for those who have cancer.
Returning To Work After Cancer Treatment
Scheduling the work :
Survivors can talk to their employers and let them know that you are planning to resume work. Discuss your job role, your availability, flexible timings, extra breaks, time off for hospital appointments, job sharing, etc., that might help in dealing with the challenges of the job. Survivors can request their employers to assign them specific duties that do not tax their energies. This is essential because a cancer survivor requires time and effort to resume work responsibilities. In line with this, an employer may be requested to restructure a job profile, grant permission to a survivor to work from home, implement re-training and refresher courses for a returning survivor, adjust workplace policies to accommodate a survivor, and so on. Besides, the employer may consider employing rehabilitation counselors who can help cancer survivors to re-adjust psychologically to the demands of a professional working environment.
Dealing with discrimination at the workplace :
Workers and support staff may face discrimination, and that might impact the reintegration of a cancer survivor in the workplace. This may hurt the sentiments of the cancer survivors. Therefore, survivors can contact human resources professionals to ward off any perceived or real discrimination at work. They can document any incidents that point to discrimination by noting the time and place of certain interactions and sharing the same with the human resources department. Further, survivors could take the initiative to retain paper copies of their work evaluations and comments from supervisors or work managers. Such a stance enables cancer survivors to defend their actions if
any situation arises in the future.
Equality at the workplace :
Survivors are entitled to equal opportunities and balanced performance evaluations at the professional workplace. Such individuals should discover and engage with relevant laws and expert advice in a bid to safeguard their rights and entitlements. Survivors should also aim to fulfill their responsibilities at work and discharge all duties expected of their position. Additionally, they must remain aware of their rights and defend these in the face of any unfair challenges.
Coping with stress :
Stress is common in the workplace, and one must learn to cope up with it. The returning employee should take maximum efforts to re-adjust at the workplace. This can be accomplished by seeking permission to work fewer hours, taking breaks from the rhythms of work, sitting on comfortable chairs, carrying medication in designated containers, creating a small support group at the workplace, etc. Also, cancer survivors must remind themselves to take deep breaths, avoid anxiety in any form, re-schedule work patterns with permission from their mentors and supervisors, delegate tasks, etc. Such actions enable faster recovery and empower survivors to re-integrate better into the
modern workplace.
Accepting help from co-workers :
Being An open mind and a positive attitude can empower the cancer survivor to handle their role better. In line with this, survivors should accept help and assistance from co-workers, engage in conversations, apply themselves to bring about useful solutions to work problems, engage with managers and supervisors, speak to counselors, etc. Further, they must plan before conversing with people about their medical condition; such planning should help safeguard confidential information about a survivor's state of physical and mental health. Essentially, higher levels of interaction can contribute positively to a complete reintegration; this is necessary to ensure a long-term
professional career after cancer treatment.
These ideas and suggestions must be considered when cancer survivors seek to pursue meaningful employment in the aftermath of medical treatment. Members of the immediate family, friends, colleagues, and co-workers can form an informal network to support survivors' return to the workplace. Such support can assist survivors gain strength in their minds and participate in the regular flow of events at the modern workplace. Returning to work after cancer treatment is not always easy. But, with careful planning and openness, work can be a source of pride and socialization again.
Have a return-to-work story? Share story with us!
Must-Follow Lifestyle Changes Post-Cancer Treatment
Tons of sleep: Good for recovery
Each patient who has undergone treatment for any form of cancer should aim to acquire healthy sleep cycles. This allows the human body to rejuvenate, gain its energies, improve the human mood, control weight, re-develop memory, increase attention cycles, and so on. In line with this, each patient should stick to regular bedtimes at night and rule out any distractions. Therefore, all forms of digital devices should be excluded from the bedroom. Besides, a dark, cool bedroom assists in recovery; this should be a priority for patients recovering from cancer treatment regimens. Further, recovering patients should avoid the consumption of stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.
Good, healthy diet is essential
A healthy diet is necessary to assist recovery in the phase of life that follows cancer treatment. Patients and their family members must try to include different types of green vegetables in the regular diet of a recovering patient. Foods high in fiber content such as beans, whole grains, nuts, lentils, seeds, etc. can boost dietary fiber and must be included. Also, patients must consume healthy portions of probiotic and prebiotic foods to rejuvenate the digestion canal. Medical professionals encourage the consumption of raw garlic, raw or cooked onions, artichokes, legumes, and beans during the recovery phase of a patient.
Regular exercise can speed up recovery
Regular exercise can help the human body recover faster from cancer treatment procedures. Therefore, a patient should consult healthcare professionals and other specialists to develop a fitness routine. Short, moderately intense bursts of physical exercise can pump the heart muscles, thereby improving blood circulation in the human body. In addition, walking and standing should be included in the fitness routine. A patient could network with other recovering patients to form a small community that exercises together regularly. Such a stance helps inculcate the team spirit and encourages each member to participate in physical exercise regimens. Further, recovering patients should avoid sitting still for a longer time.
Quit smoking, quit second-hand smoke
Cancer survivors should make a conscious and ongoing effort to quit smoking and chewing tobacco. Healthcare specialists urge survivors to join an anti-smoking campaign as part of efforts to improve physical and mental health following medical treatment. They should also undertake efforts to avoid smoke-laden bars and restaurants in a bid to avoid second-hand smoke. Further, a non-smoking workplace should ideally help in the recovery process, therefore enabling patients to gain complete recovery from any form of cancer.
Stay connected with friends and family
Social support remains an important element that speeds up recovery in patients that have undergone treatment for cancer. In line with this, survivors should make an effort to communicate with friends and other members of the cancer survivor community. Telephone calls, video calls, social media networks may also assist in such recovery. Such actions enable cancer survivors to regain their mental and psychological strength.
Lower stress – best for recovery
Taking regular walks, listening to music, watching a movie, going out for meals with friends, using various relaxation techniques, etc. can help control the incidence of stress in the minds of recovering patients. Such activities regulate the release of stress hormones and pave the way for a patient to achieve a normal lifestyle. The avoidance of stressful situations also acts as a tonic for the health of a survivor. These acts also boost self-esteem and allow recovering patients to gain sound mental and physical health.
These suggestions can help cancer survivors regain a normal lifestyle and prevent a relapse of health complications. Members of the society and immediate family should support and encourage cancer survivors to gain a healthy lifestyle at the earliest.
How Reading & Yoga Can Benefit Cancer Patients
A proper recovery can extend the lifespan of patients recovering from various forms of cancer. Health professionals state that cancer patients might find spiritual healing and emotional pleasure from books and journals. This expands the idea that a healthy mind can speed up the recovery process for a cancer patient. In this context, a different genre of books such as mythology, self-help, contemporary, travel, romance, mystery, horror, memoir, art, historical fiction, poetry, science-fiction, classics, business, etc. can help in the recovery process. Similarly, certain forms of light and moderate exercise can aid the recovery process. Yoga remains one of the best kinds of physical activity that allows recovering patients to find solace and come to terms with the medical condition, thus speeding up the recovery process.
USING BOOKS AS A THERAPY
Reading books in this context is also termed as bibliotherapy; such actions can help patients raise their levels of self-awareness, elevate the levels of empathy for others undergoing cancer treatment, reduce the occurrence of negative thoughts, raise levels of hope, and attain certain positive feelings and thoughts. The act of reading books also allows patients to rise above their current condition, which allows for faster recovery from trauma and chronic feelings of illness. Therefore, family members of cancer patients and professional caregivers must encourage the book reading habit in the daily lives of patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
Many types of reading, such as spiritual reading, classic novels, and science fiction, can introduce new thoughts and energies in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. A patient can explore the world of modern literature while setting the mind free from the many worries imposed by cancer treatment. As a family member, you can extend support to this strategy by presenting new sets of books to a recovering patient; this act can strengthen family bonds and improve the mood of patients undergoing recovery. This will help the patients to return to a normal lifestyle.
YOGA – EXCELLENT AS COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY
Yoga, as a physical exercise regimen, helps in improving the physical and mental well-being of cancer patients. Research studies indicate the emphatic benefits of yoga in terms of improved mood states, symptom reduction, stress reduction, and improved quality of life. Further, several meta-analysis and reviews reveal unequivocal benefits for yoga with respect to expectations, benefits, and state of mind in recovering cancer patients. Therefore, patients must be encouraged to join yoga communities and undertake these exercises to reinstate themselves in the mainstream of society.
Yoga teachers can help cancer patients relax and cope with stress, anxiety, and depression through natural treatment methods. Healthcare professionals state that yoga can help to uplift the mood. Some people with cancer say that yoga helps calm their minds so that they can cope better with cancer and its modern forms of treatment. Others say it helps to deal with pain, tiredness, sleep problems, and mental depression.
The cancer journey can be tiring and tedious; minor changes in lifestyle along with inculcating some good habits like reading books and practicing yoga may benefit cancer patients.