Cancer is a tough disease by any standards and both patients and physicians always wonder if there are things other than just clinical protocols and well defined regimens that might have any role to play in the overall effectiveness of the treatment.Specifically, people always ask about the role of the attitiude of the patient in his or her treatment. Some patients, diagnosed with cancer, develop a negative even hostile attiitude towards life and their surroundings in general and find it very difficult to come to grips with their new reality. There are others though who respond to their cancer with a very positive approach and demonstrate an attitude of mental strength and hope.
So, the question is "Does it really help and how much?"
The answer is not a simple yes or no.One has to look at what really does one mean by Positive Mental Attitude or PMA ?
PMA is not about developing an attitude that their cancer is just a result of some bad phase or "karma" and it will go away just by some rituals or some sudden miracle that might happen. That kind of approach is plain wishful thinking and will not help at all.
PMA is first and foremost about acknowledging the seriousness of one's condition and then developing a whole new determination to do everything possible to find all facts and details about one's cancer, discussing in-depth with one's cancer specialist the very latest in clinical options and their pros and cons, agreeing to the treatment plan devised by the oncologist and adhering to in totality and following his/her advise on diet,lifestyle and other aspects and extending total co-operation to the discipline of the clinical regiment-----all with a firm belief that I am going to fight it and I am going to do everything within my power to face this very serious and tough disease and I am going to get better because of this. One may include anything and everything in it--prayers, hope , music whatever you like. It all could work for you --at the very least it will improve and enhance your quality of life and make it easier and better on your near and dear ones who are helping you from your family and relations.
Remember, it is very very tough on them as well.
In our cancer support group "Saarthak" a lady cancer survivor shared about her own approach to the side effects of chemotherapy and how it was leading to a state of depression for her. An army wife she was used to a very active social life and enjoyed her weekend get-togethers and lunches/dinners at friends' places. When our oncologist suggested to her that unlike the advice given by her previous oncologist, she was free to resume her lifestyle while following her chemo-regimen, she responded so positively and not only she came out of her depression but developed a very strong resolve to fight her cancer.
Today, she is a three year cancer survivor and is doing extremely well while enjoying her old life style with friends and families. Additionally. she is a very active member of "Saarthak" and is very willing to help other cancer patients.
Her positive attitude, certainly, seems to have made a difference to her and it can definitely work for many other.
That is certainly my hope and my belief.
God bless and let us ,together,do everything to save another life from cancer.
Please join me because "Every Life Matters"
Pradeep K Jaisingh
There is plenty of evidence that our techniques of Yoga, breathing exercises and meditations have value in supporting cancer treatments. Look at this recently published study:
ReplyDeleteYoga of Awareness program for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: results from a randomized trial.
Carson JW, Carson KM, Porter LS, Keefe FJ, Seewaldt VL.
Department of Anesthesiology and Peri-operative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., UHS, Portland, OR, 97239, USA, carsonja@ohsu.edu.
GOAL OF WORK: Breast cancer survivors have limited options for the treatment of hot flashes and related symptoms. Further, therapies widely used to prevent recurrence in survivors, such as tamoxifen, tend to induce or exacerbate menopausal symptoms. The aim of this preliminary, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a yoga intervention on menopausal symptoms in a sample of survivors of early-stage breast cancer (stages IA-IIB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven disease-free women experiencing hot flashes were randomized to the 8-week Yoga of Awareness program (gentle yoga poses, meditation, and breathing exercises) or to wait-list control. The primary outcome was daily reports of hot flashes collected at baseline, posttreatment, and 3 months after treatment via an interactive telephone system. Data were analyzed by intention to treat. MAIN RESULTS: At posttreatment, women who received the yoga program showed significantly greater improvements relative to the control condition in hot-flash frequency, severity, and total scores and in levels of joint pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, symptom-related bother, and vigor. At 3 months follow-up, patients maintained their treatment gains in hot flashes, joint pain, fatigue, symptom-related bother, and vigor and showed additional significant gains in negative mood, relaxation, and acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study provides promising support for the beneficial effects of a comprehensive yoga program for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in early-stage breast cancer survivors.
Dear Pankaj
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for your comments.
Studies like this one will go a long way in developing holistic treatment regimens for cancer patients and significantly enhance overall effectivess.
I look forward to your continued support and suggestions.
Warm regards
Pradeep K Jaisingh
CEO
International Oncology
www.internationaloncology.com