During the extent of this quarter, I have had to do a lot of research both for my Wiki page as well as research for the blogs which I wrote. With plenty of information on different types of cancers, their treatments, prevention, and research being conducted to reduce incidence and death, I never ran into information about therapies for minimizing the discomforts of cancer and its treatment. Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of treatment which many cancer patients choose to fight against there cancer. However, because of its aggressive nature, it affects both cancerous and normal cells. One large negative side affect of chemotherapy is neutropenia, which is a reduction in white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infections. Any form of cancer and the treatments which are available are not forgiving to the human condition, and when individuals fight their battle against cancer for any extended period of time, it is only natural that they are weakened and fragile at the end of their course. Can individuals truly 'recover' from cancer after the extent of damage their body as gone through? Curious to see what options are available for both current patients and survivors, I research different forms of therapies which can help patients recover some physical as well as mental health.
One great resource I found for patients of numerous forms of cancer is through a website called Yoga Bear. Yoga bear offers rehabilitative workout options which tends the physical needs of cancer survivors who's movements are limited from affects of both their treatments and cancer. These yoga workouts can be utilized by survivors as well making this site a great resource for the cancer community. Yoga Bear advocates for their Healing Yoga Project which introduces these yoga practices to compliment other forms of therapies to help "in managing depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and fatigue, thereby increasing the quality of life for those affected by cancer". These yoga poses and motions address other concerns of patients as well such as alleviating pain and stiffness without putting the patient in strenuous or uncomfortable positions due to their condition. Yoga bear offers specific programs for patients of certain cancers such as the Yoga for Breast Cancer Video which provides a serious of exercises specifically for breast cancer patients.
The UC of San Diego offers a large list of both complementary and alternative forms of therapies which both treat cancer and promote the wellness of the patient. One unordinary form of wellness promotion suggested by UCSD is acupressure. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that in focuses on apply pressure to acupoints, yet without the need of needles. Acupressure has been shown to enhance a patients physical, mental, and emotional state by releasing muscular tension, promoting the circulation of blood, and restoring energy to the body. Acupressure has been shown to be really effective with relieving post-operation pain as well as nausea. UCSD also suggests a number of therapies to improve mental health and stability by helping individuals relax and find a calm place within. These therapies include music, light, art, and prayer therapies. Music therapy works by improving one's temperament and assist with emotional healing. Light therapy can be utilized by working with the circadian rhythms to assist with hormone production, sleep and body temperature. Art patients increases a patients interest by tapping into their creative side and acts as a therapeutic healing process.It is clear that there are numerous options for patients to help relieve their bodies from pain and discomfort, yet I believe that there should be more focus on these therapies. Patients need to know that there is more out there for them besides surgery and chemotherapy in order to boost their moral and give them a positive outlook. Although it is important to work towards improving treatments and understanding cancer, we cannot disregard the conditions of the patients who are dealing with the limited treatment options now.
