An integrated approach to cancer survivorship

Western Medicine has made huge advances in its treatment of cancer, developing powerful new drugs and advanced surgical procedures that are capable of eliminating many cancers, saving lives and extending survival rates, meaning that more and more people are now surviving cancer. However it does this by focusing solely on one outcome, be it the killing of certain cancer cells or the removal of a tumour, whilst disregarding almost everything else. In focusing solely on the disease, it misses the human being. It fails to sustain people though the harrowing journey of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Chinese medicine focuses on the whole person. Where western medicine has a macro approach, looking inwards at one specific aspect of the person’s disease, Chinese medicine takes a macro approach, addressing the whole person and considering all aspects of their life, taking note of all bodily functions, such as sleep, diet, digestion, emotions, and examining the patient’s pulse and tongue, to build up a complete picture of a unique human being, on a unique journey. We look to better understand a patient’s story, and how their disease fits into it. Disease is never seen in isolation, but as part of that bigger story.

In this way Chinese medicine and acupuncture is the perfect compliment to cancer treatment, and provides a sustainable way to manage the side effects of treatment, and help patients to regain strength and vitality, balance and equilibrium when treatment is over, and to take back control of their lives.

Many cancer survivors find they are left with consequences from the treatment they have received, be they adverse side effects, more long term consequences or chronic health conditions. Acupuncture can provide relief from these cancer treatment related symptoms and prevent longer term consequences after treatment in a gentle way that does no further harm to the patient.

Nausea, vomiting, pain, swelling, fatigue, anxiety, disturbed sleep, shortness of breath, cough and fatigue are just some examples of side effects to cancer treatment that acupuncture can help with.

After treatment cancer patients are often left with questions like How do I rebuild my life from here? or What can I do to ensure the cancer does not come back?. Acupuncture can address these questions and help support patients on the road back from cancer and beyond, to live their lives as fully, as painlessly as possible, for as long as possible.