Taking an Holistic Approach to Battling Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is an illness faced by about one in every eight women in the US during their lifetime. In 2014, some 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women, alongside over 60,000 cases on non-invasive breast cancer.
For women in the US, death rates for breast cancer are higher than for any other type of cancer, though fortunately, great advances have been made in prevention and treatment. Instead of one or two choices, women are given a myriad of treatment choices, which usually involves surgery, and a mix of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and sometimes, hormonal treatment. Although current targeted therapies have higher success rates than in the past, harsh treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy can leave women feeling fatigued, depressed and stressed, which in turn can lead to worse outcomes. The key to overcoming breast cancer does not simply lie in killing cancer cells; it also involves treating the body better than ever before, through an holistic approach that values aspects like psychological and spiritual well-being, and not just physical health.
These are just a few ways that many women facing the tough hurdle that is breast cancer, can battle cancer on more levels than one:
* Relaxation and revitalization through yoga: A recently published study looked into the effect of regular yoga practice (carried out three times a week during a six-week period) on a group of women receiving radiation treatment for breast cancer. At the beginning and end of the study, the women were asked to fill in a survey about their levels of depression, fatigue and sleep quality, and samples were taken to determine their stress hormone (cortisol) levels. When compared to women in a control group, women in the yoga group were found to have deep drops in stress levels, and also reported less fatigue, and better sleep. Interestingly, this group also said they were able to find some meaning from their illness, unlike the women in a control group. Researchers believe that the immense success of yoga at battling stress, depression and anxiety is owed to a blend of mindful meditation (in which the mind remains in the present moment), controlled breathing and the controlled performance of specific poses, or asanas. As a deeply spiritual practice, yoga is also a unique way for women to stay fit and active during their battle against breast cancer.
* Meditation: Undertaken either as part of yoga practice or as an independent pursuit, meditation has many benefits for women with breast cancer, as it does for anyone willing to lead a more fulfilling and stress-free life. One study published in the journal, Psychosomatic Medicine, showed that even a short, eight-week mindfulness meditation program, produced significant improvements in the brain and immune function of a group of 25 subjects. Another study, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, meanwhile, found that meditation can bring significant benefits to those suffering from depression and/or experiencing pain. Still other studies show that meditation has a positive effect on mood
- Nature retreats: You don’t really have to opt for an entire retreat; just spending time in the midst of Mother Nature will do wonders for your stress levels. If you can, bring your dog along, or interact with horses and farm animals, to enhance the benefits. Research shows that time spend in the Great Outdoors bonding with animals reduces blood pressure and anxiety, and reduces our sense of isolation. It is important for those battling cancer to feel like they are part of a greater whole and that challenging times are faced by everyone. Horticulture is another useful pastime for those battling illness. A 2012 study (Howell, Passmore & Buro) showed that those who have close ties to Nature derive a sense of meaningful existence which augments one’s well-being.
Nutrition: Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can leave us feeling weak, wearing our defenses down. Women receiving these treatments should make it a point to consume an extra nutritious diet, free of processed foods and unhealthy fats, refined sugar and salt. Women should opt for seasonal, organic foods which are rich in antioxidants and life-giving nutrients.
Finally, women should aim to take a multi-pronged approach to recovery, combining regular exercise with relaxation sessions, support form loved ones, good sleep, etc. As the researchers in a recent study carried out in the UK noted, the holistic approach to healing “combines physical exercise with the wellness approach where multi-dimensional factors are taken into consideration, and which includes physical, emotional, intellectual, social, environmental and spiritual dimensions.” Make sure you take care of each and every one of these dimensions.
Citations:
K Chandwani et al, Randomized Controlled Trial of Yoga in Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy. 2014, 31 (10): 1058-65.
G Paul et al, A longitudinal study of students’ perceptions of using deep breathing meditation to reduce testing stresses. Teaching and Learning Medicine. 2007; 19(3): 287-92.
Traumacenter.org, Yoga as a Complementary Treatment for Chronic PTSD, accessed July, 2015.
Health.harvard.edu, Mindful meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress, accessed January, 2015.
M Goyal et.al., Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2014; 174(3):357-68.
Prevention.com, The Fresh-Air Fix, accessed July, 2014.
Whole9Life.com, Five reasons to go seasonal, accessed July, 2014.