Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2020

Complementary therapy during cancer Some alternative treatments might help you feel and cope better Don’t put off screenings for cancer Many people may be delaying cancer screenings because of COVID-19. And that has health experts worried. It could mean that many cancers will go undetected, causing unnecessary deaths. If you’ve postponed a cancer screening due to COVID-19, here are three things you should know: » Delays can be dangerous. Screenings are meant to find cancer in its earliest stages before it causes symptoms. That’s when it’s usually easier to treat. Waiting could mean that cancer gets caught at a later stage, when it is more advanced. » We are taking steps to keep you safe when you come in for your test. These steps include: • Checking patients for COVID-19 symptoms before their test. • Staggering visits to avoid overcrowding. • Limiting visitors. • Cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces often. • Requiring all staff and patients to wear face masks. » Depending on the type of test and your risk factors, short delays may be OK. For instance, many women get Pap tests yearly. But the American Cancer Society says women only need a cervical cancer screening every three to five years. So a delay of a few months might not be significant. For some cancers, there may also be screening options that can be done at home or virtually. Start by asking your doctor what options are available and what screening schedule may be right for you. CANCER If you’re being treated for cancer, your doctor will likely recommend one or more standard approaches to your care—perhaps radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery. In addition to your main medical treatments, however, some complementary or alternative therapies may have benefits too, such as controlling your pain or helping you cope with the stress of cancer. From music to yoga, massage to acupuncture, learn more about these therapies and how they might help. CHOICES TO CONSIDER First, it’s important to remember that none of these other therapies should take the place of the standard medical treatments for your cancer. Also, they won’t cure cancer. But they may help ease some cancer-related anxiety or even some of the side effects of cancer treatments. Here are some of the more common complementary therapies: Exercise. It helps keep your body strong and healthy. It may also help improve anxiety, stress, pain and depression. You might want to talk to a physical therapist or a trainer who works with cancer patients. Music therapy. Music can promote a sense of well-being, relaxation and more. Music’s role in cancer care can range from working with a music therapist to creating music, singing, dancing or listening to calming music during treatment. Massage. This encourages relaxation, and it may help with sleep troubles. It might ease pain, stress, anxiety and depression too. Acupuncture. Research shows that treatment with these tiny needles can help control pain, nausea and vomiting. Yoga. It can lower stress, lift your spirits and help you sleep better. In addition, yoga may help ease pain and certain other treatment side effects. TALK TOYOUR CARE TEAM Be sure to discuss any therapy you’re thinking about trying with your cancer doctor or nurse first. They will make sure it will work safely with your other cancer treatments. Sources: American Society of Clinical Oncology; National Cancer Institute 14 VITALITY Winter 2020