Millions of Americans battle cancer every day. Unlike most other diseases, cancer results from a person's own cells turning against him. Defeating cancer is always an uphill fight, but modern medicine has provided powerful drugs to slow the growth of the disease. Holistic healing techniques aim to treat the whole person with a mind-body approach that has had success as part of an integrated approach to fighting cancer.
Cancer
The human body is composed of cells, microscopic entities that work together to carry out all bodily processes. Every cell contains genetic material, or DNA, in its nucleus that directs all of the cell's functions. When the DNA is damaged or mutates, the cell can sometimes begin multiplying at a furious rate. The mutation passes down to each successive cell, and the malfunctioning cells grow into a mass called a tumor. Malignant tumors press against neighboring organs, causing pain or illness, and can spread to other areas in the body.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs are powerful substances that work against cancerous cells and tumors in numerous ways. In a best-case scenario, these drugs kill cancer cells wherever they are in your body. Chemo drugs can also relieve the painful symptoms of cancer. Doctors typically prescribe chemotherapy before surgery to shrink a tumor or at least slow its growth. More than 100 varieties of these drugs are on the market, each designed for different cancers and situations.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
With the potency of chemotherapy medications comes inevitable side effects. Nausea and vomiting are among the most common. These side effects make holding down food more difficult, and weight loss is common during treatment. Some chemo drugs also cause hair loss. Chemotherapy's most serious side effects include changes in blood composition. Blood is produced in the bone marrow, and many chemo drugs alter the pace of blood cell production. Reduced counts of red or white blood cells or platelets lead to various unpleasant side effects.
Holistic Healing Techniques
"Holistic medicine" is a broad term for healing techniques that incorporate mental, emotional, spiritual and physical aspects into a single treatment approach. Rather than focusing on an illness or a part of the body, holistic medicine looks at the whole being. Prevention is a fundamental aspect of holistic medicine, and begins with healthy lifestyle habits. In a nutshell, these habits begin with eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and giving yourself time for adequate rest. As a treatment option, holistic medicine includes, but is not limited to, botanical remedies, acupuncture, meditation and homeopathy.
Holistic Healing vs. Chemotherapy
In stark contrast to chemotherapy, holistic medicine avoids the use of manufactured drugs. As a result, patients don't suffer the sometimes debilitating side effects of chemotherapy. Holistic healing is also a much broader process, encompassing a variety of techniques and traditions. According to the American Cancer Society, holistic medicine should not be relied on as a cure for disease, but the group acknowledges that treating a person's well-being as a whole is therapeutically useful.
Integrative Medicine
Fighting diseases like cancer requires the use of every weapon in the clinical arsenal. Integrative medicine is the practice of combining holistic treatment approaches with conventional therapies like chemo, ideally giving the patient every advantage in her battle. A typical approach to integrative cancer treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to directly address tumors, while holistic treatments reduce side effects and maintain the patient's mental health. Many health care professionals agree that team-based treatment works well against difficult, life-threatening diseases.
References
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Cancer Treatments -- Naturopathic Medicine
- American Cancer Society: Chemo -- What It Is, How It Helps
- National Cancer Institute: What Is Cancer?
- American Cancer Society: Treatments and Side Effects -- Holistic Medicine
- University of California, San Diego, Medical Center: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer Patients
- American Cancer Society: Chemotherapy
