Holistic care for cancer patients

What is holistic care for cancer?

Holistic care is typically a mixture of traditional and complementary medicine. In regards to cancer, this could mean for example chemotherapy combined with acupuncture. A holistic approach to treatment of cancer could alleviate some of the side effects of chemo and radiation.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that mainstream medicine must not be substituted with holistic care, as holistic care is not a cancer treatment.

Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)

You may have a conversation with your healthcare team about your Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) where you would answer some questions and talk through your needs and concerns. Following your assessment you then agree on a suitable plan for your care.

The reason the assessment is called holistic is that you can discuss any aspect of your life that has been impacted by cancer. These can not only be physical, but also practical, emotional, spiritual, and financial. If you are not presented with the option of HNA and are interested in having one, discuss this with your GP or healthcare team.

Benefits of having a HNA

• identification of your concerns
• support to manage your matters of concern, such as emotional worries
• offer of referral to services providing further support – counselling, help with finances, physiotherapy
• highlighting to your healthcare team what’s important to you
• helpful tool to plan ahead

Types of holistic care

Holistic care for cancer is often called complementary therapies. They are used to improve physical and emotional health, to reduce cancer symptoms or the side effects of cancer treatments.

Main types:

• acupuncture
• aromatherapy
• reflexology or other touch therapies, massage
• meditation and hypnotherapy, also called mind-body therapies
• therapies using diet or supplements
• therapies utilising herbs and plants
• talking and counselling groups

Advantages of complementary therapies

Some find complementary therapies helpful in dealing with the stress following their diagnose of cancer and its treatments. The reason for this is the relaxing element of the therapies, which may contribute to improving your mood in time you’re feeling under the weather. You may even develop a strong relationship with your therapist. To have someone who listens can be uplifting and help you cope with difficult feelings.

Some of complementary therapies involve group sessions, which may be a good way to meet people with similar experience in a supportive environment.

Complementary therapies typically focus on relaxation and reducing stress after a treatment. They may be helpful in calming your emotions, improving your general sense of health and wellbeing and alleviating anxiety. Some particular complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, have shown to control some cancer symptoms and the side effects of a treatment.

Another advantage of complementary therapies is the sense of control they give cancer patients, as otherwise it may appear that your doctor is the sole decision maker. A partnership with a good therapist is significant for the cancer treatment and recovery of some patients.

Safety of complementary therapies

Even though many complementary therapies are safe to use in combination with conventional treatments, talk to your doctor before beginning any complementary therapies you’re planning to use. This is especially important if you are currently undergoing a course of cancer treatment.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

At Cavendish Homecare, we deliver exceptional care in the familiar surroundings of your own home. We provide personalised private cancer homecare tailored to individual needs in London and the Home Counties. To learn more about our care services and how we can assist with your needs, please reach out to our team at 020 3008 5210 or email us info@cavendishhomecare.com. We are here to discuss further and address any questions or concerns you may have.