Treatment tools can be used after consulting a doctor. They help you make an informed decision about your treatment. One of alternative therapy which is commonly used in hospital Yoga and Nature Cure.

Healthy life style, sound eating habits and regular exercises (Yogic practices) can go a long way in cancer preventing. Too many late nights, faulty food habits rich in sodium and cholesterol, poor in fibre, vitamins and calcium, under nutrition food, abuses of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, regular intake of aerated soft drinks may cause Cancer. Chronic mental stress, old age and HIV infection initiate the process leading to cancer by suppressing immune system of the body. Signs symptoms and important cancer risk factors should not be ignored or taken lightly.

70% of all risks of cancer are related to life style including fast competition more use of electrical and electronic equipments and devices like cell phone, computer, television and western diet patterns. These factors can be significantly reduced by means of a balance diet, regular yogic practices including Pranayama, Relaxation.

Most of the cancer illness can be prevented by adopting discipline and the Indian system of life style through the path of Yoga and Nature cure. The basic principle of Naturopathy and Yoga is the healing power, which exists within the body and can cure all diseases. Diseases caused because of toxins accumulation in the body, negative vibration in the mind, ignorance of proper eating and violation of nature's laws can be treated by Yoga. Yoga and Nature cure therapy prompt the system for active elimination process through eliminative channels.

Yoga and Nature cure therapy enhance immunity, optimize physiological balance and counter the degenerative effects of aging thus helping to promote health and longevity. Yoga and Nature cure therapy proceeds on the basis of individual requirements of the patient. Hydrotherapy (hot, cold and neutral treatment), massages, packs, enema and other eliminative and constructive treatment very often are the only tools which make wonders. These treatments also help for elimination of toxins and improving digestion, absorption and assimilation, boosting immune cells of the body against cancer. Yoga therapy including Pranayama (science of breath), Meditation, and relaxation bring harmony between the body, mind and spirit. This therapy gives a gentle massage to all vital organs, including nervous system and brain cells, helps to improve their functional efficacy and resistance power. It ensures proper blood circulation and a constant supply of energy to living cells.

 

 

Deep relaxation and meditation very often appears a panacea for cancer patients because of its help in calming the strained and irritable nervous system and providing physiological rest. Thereby relieving muscular fatigue and restoring normal function of the cells. A natural balanced diet, high in fibre and low in fat, is protective in effect.

Research shows that cancer-causing agents (carcinogen) present in our diet are diluted by the high fibre diet. A diet rich in beta-carotene stimulates body resistance and inhibits the formation of certain cancer causing substances.

Yogic & Naturopathy management depends on one's individual age, vitality, interest and the severity of disease since all practices are not advisable to everybody. It should be prescribed as per the need and requirement of patient.

 

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What is radiotherapy?

 

Radiotherapy is the use of high energy x-rays and similar rays (such as electrons) to treat disease. Since the discovery of x-rays over one hundred years ago, radiation has been used more and more in medicine, both to help with diagnosis (by taking pictures with x-rays), and as a treatment (radiotherapy). While radiation obviously has to be used very carefully, doctors and radiographers have a lot of experience in its use in medicine. Many people with cancer will have radiotherapy as part of their treatment. This can be given either as external radiotherapy from outside the body using x-rays or from within the body as internal radiotherapy. Radiotherapy works by destroying the cancer cells in the treated area. Although normal cells can also be damaged by the radiotherapy, they can usually repair themselves.

Radiotherapy treatment can cure some cancers and can also reduce the chance of a cancer coming back after surgery. It may be used to reduce cancer symptoms. Some people find that the side effects are very mild and that they just feel tired during their course of radiotherapy treatment.

 

Why radiotherapy is given

 

 

Curative treatment

Radiotherapy is often given with the aim of destroying a tumour and curing the cancer. When radiotherapy is given in this way it is described as radical radiotherapy. Radiotherapy may be used on its own or may be given before or after surgery or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. If radiotherapy and chemotherapy are given at the same time, this treatment is known as chemoradiotherapy. For some types of curative radiotherapy treatment, you may need to go to the hospital each weekday for between two and seven weeks. In this situation, a small dose of radiotherapy is given each time. This is because as well as damaging cancer cells, radiotherapy can also cause damage to healthy cells in the treatment area. If a very high dose of treatment was given all in one go, it could cause too much damage to the healthy cells, so small doses are given to allow them to recover in between.

 

Palliative treatment

 

Sometimes, when it is not possible to cure a cancer, radiotherapy may be given to relieve symptoms – for example, to lessen pain. This is called palliative treatment. Lower doses of radiotherapy are given than for curative treatment, usually over a shorter period of time (sometimes just a single treatment).

Work and radiotherapy

Sometimes people can carry on working part-time during their treatment, but many people feel very tired and may feel unwell. In this case you may need to make changes to your usual routines. Most employers will be sympathetic if you explain why you need time off work. It is helpful to talk to your employer or personnel officer to explain how much time off you may need and what you will be able to do. It can be hard to predict exactly what you will be able to do, but your employer will appreciate being given some idea of what to expect.

 

Children and radiotherapy

 

Radiotherapy can be a frightening experience for both children and their parents, but once everyone understands what is involved this fear can be reduced. The radiotherapy staff are used to treating children and they can offer help and support. Young children, especially if they are aged three or younger, may have their treatment under a mild general anaesthetic. As your child can't eat or drink for at least four hours before his or her treatment, you will probably have a morning appointment. The anaesthetic is usually given in the radiotherapy department by an anaesthetist. You can stay with your child until they are asleep. Although you won't be able to stay in the radiotherapy room during your child's treatment, you can watch through the window or on the TV screen. The nurses will look after the child until they wake up, usually after 20 minutes to an hour. You will then both be able to go home, unless your child is an in-patient, in which case a nurse will take them back to the ward.

Older children may take a while to get used to the size and sound of the machines, but this should get easier once they get to know the staff and the surroundings. If you are finding it difficult to cope with your child's illness, you may find it helpful to contact one of the children's cancer groups. Sharing your experiences with other parents can help you to cope with your own problems and fears.

 

Where do you have your radiotherapy treatment?

 

Radiotherapy equipment is very complex and takes up a lot of space, as well as support from specially trained staff, so radiotherapy departments tend to be in the larger regional cancer centers & fully equipped cancer hospitals like Bhagwan Mahavir cancer hospital & research center, Jaipur. Radiotherapy departments have varying types of equipment and are organized according to special needs of cancer patients, so they are run in different ways. .

You can usually have external radiotherapy as an outpatient, but if you are unwell, or having chemotherapy at the same time, you may need to stay in hospital and will be taken to the radiotherapy department each day from the ward. If you are having internal radiotherapy, you may have to stay in hospital for a few days.

 

General side effects of radiotherapy

 

While radiotherapy can destroy cancer cells, it can also have an effect on some of the surrounding normal cells. The side effects that may occur are described in the following pages. It is important to remember that no person will have more than a few of them, and for many people they may be mild. Years ago, in the 1950s and 60s, radiotherapy often caused very severe side effects, especially skin burns and scarring. There have been huge improvements in the machines that give the treatment, and severe side effects are now very rare.

As radiotherapy affects people in different ways, it is difficult to predict exactly how you will react to your treatment. Before you start, the staff will discuss with you any likely side effects of the particular treatment you are having. They can also give tips on how to deal with them and how they can be treated. Being aware of side effects in advance can help you to cope with any problems that occur.

Most side effects of radiotherapy disappear gradually once the course of treatment is over. However, for some people, they may continue for a few weeks.

 

Tiredness

You may feel very tired during your radiotherapy. This can often be made worse by having to travel to your treatment each day. Listen to your body, and if necessary, allow yourself extra time to rest, perhaps by taking a nap in the afternoons. It may help if you spread chores out over the week, sit down to do them, wherever possible, and accept any offers of help. Tiredness can be a problem for some months after your treatment has finished.

 

Eating and drinking

 

As always during treatment of any kind, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids. At times you probably won't feel like eating, or you may find that your eating habits change. It may be easier to have small snacks throughout the day rather than large meals. It is not unusual to lose a little weight during radiotherapy, but if you are having any problems with eating it is important to tell the radiotherapy staff or your doctor. They can arrange for you to talk to the dietitian at the hospital.

 

Skin care

Some people develop a skin reaction while having external radiotherapy. If this effects you, it will normally happen after 3–4 weeks. People with pale skin may find that the skin in the treatment area becomes red and sore or itchy. People with darker skin may find that their skin becomes darker and can have a black tinge. The amount of the reaction depends on the area being treated and the individual's skin. Some people have no skin problems at all. Your radiotherapy technologist and doctors will be looking for these reactions, but you should also let them know as soon as you notice any soreness or change in skin colour. It’s important not to use any creams or dressings unless they have been prescribed or recommended by your specialist or the radiographer.

Occasionally, if your skin gets very sore, your treatment may have to be delayed for a short time to allow the area to recover. Staff at the radiotherapy department will be able to give you advice on how to look after your skin in the area being treated. Care of the skin will vary according to the part of the body that is being treated and the dose of radiotherapy that the skin is receiving.

You may be advised to use only tepid water and plain soaps, without any perfume, to wash the area; and not to soak too long in the bath. You can dry your skin by patting it gently with a soft towel, but you shouldn’t rub the area as this may make it sore. Perfumed soaps, talcum powder, deodorants and perfumes may also make your skin sore and should not be used. The staff at the hospital may suggest that you gently apply plain moisturisers, such as E45 cream or aqueous cream, to the area. After your treatment, plain soap and plain moisturisers are often recommended. Aloe vera cream can sometimes help the skin to heal. Always check with the radiotherapy staff before applying anything to your skin.

It is very important that any marks put on your skin to show the treatment area are not removed. If the marks do fade or disappear, do not try to replace them yourself but let the radiotherapy staff know. Men who are having radiotherapy to the head and neck may be advised not to shave the area, or to use an electric razor rather than wet-shaving.

These restrictions apply only to the treatment area, and the rest of your skin can be treated normally. Your skin may peel after the redness has faded, but it will gradually heal. Changes in the skin usually settle down two to four weeks after the treatment has finished, but the area may stay slightly darker than the surrounding skin.

 

Avoiding the sun

 

Your skin in the treated area is very sensitive and needs protecting from the sun or cold winds. If you are having radiotherapy to the head or neck, try wearing a hat or a silk or cotton scarf when you go outside. For at least the first year after your radiotherapy, it is very important to cover the treated area if you go out in strong sunshine. Wear clothing made of cotton or natural fibres, which have a closer weave and offer more protection against the sun. Even after this time, the area of treated skin will be more delicate than normal, so extra care should be taken. Use a sun-cream (of at least factor 15) and cover the area with a hat or close-weave clothing. It is important to remember that you can burn even through clothing if you are out in hot sun for a long time.

You can swim as soon as any skin reaction has settled down, usually within a month of finishing treatment. However, if you are swimming out of doors, do not stay in the water too long, and remember to use a waterproof sun-cream.

 

Clothing

Loose-fitting clothes, preferably in natural fibres rather than man-made materials, are more comfortable and less irritating to the skin. If you are having radiotherapy to your neck, avoid tight collars and ties. Shoulder straps and bra straps can also cause irritation if they rub against treated skin. If your breast area is being treated, you may be more comfortable not wearing a bra or wearing a cropped top or vest.

 

Changes in your blood

 

Radiotherapy to some parts of the body may affect the bone marrow, which produces the different types of blood cells. If the doctors think this might happen to you, you will have regular blood tests during your treatment to check your blood counts (the number of cells in your blood). If your blood counts are low, you may feel tired and 'run down'. If your blood count becomes very low (which is unlikely), it may be necessary to have a short rest from treatment so that your blood cell levels can return to normal. You may also need to have a blood transfusion. It is very important to let your doctors know if you feel very unwell, or if your temperature goes above 38ºC (100.4ºF), or if you start feeling cold and shaky.

 

 

 

Smoking

Stopping smoking during and after radiotherapy is very worthwhile. Research has shown that it may make the radiotherapy more effective as well as reducing the side effects. It will also improve your general health and reduce your risk of developing other cancers. Stopping smoking or even cutting down at such a stressful time can be very difficult, but do your best.

 

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies can help to improve your quality of life and wellbeing and can sometimes help to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy. Many people find that complementary therapies or practices can help them to feel stronger and more confident in dealing with radiotherapy. These therapies can be used alongside conventional treatments and medicines.

Dr. Rajesh Pasricha
CONSULTANT RADIATION ONCOLOGY
BMCHRC

Information courtesy : Cancer Research UK(CRUK)

 

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