Using this handbook
This handbook provides a wealth of information in integrative medical care for people with breast cancer, divided into sections for each phase of cancer. We suggest that you use it much as you might use a map or travel guide on a long road trip. Refer to it again and again, looking at the parts that apply to where you are right now on your journey.
Focus on what you need—you may want to look specifically at managing side effects and symptoms, or at improving surgery outcomes, or at finding a health professional to guide you.
The list of top practices and therapies, like a trip packing list, is a good summary of the self-care practices and complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies that you’ll want to consider packing for your journey.
We encourage you to share this handbook with those who are helping you in your cancer experience and who may be interested: your caregivers, your medical team, your family, and friends.
If you are in crisis now, we recommend that you first take the time to address your feelings of crisis and distress. Come back to this handbook when you can focus your attention here.
Introduction to your breast cancer handbook
Throughout your cancer experience, you may turn your attention to boosting your health and resilience and also creating a body that is less supportive of cancer.
Integrating self carelifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress with the best of evidence-based conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy treatment and complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies is a good idea. Several self-care practices and complementary therapies are linked to improved survival and lower risk of recurrence. Many can also help manage side effects and symptoms and improve your overall health and wellness. You can continue many of these practices and therapies all throughout your cancer experience.
Before starting cancer treatment, you can build your resilience and get yourself into your best shape. During cancer treatment, adding these practices and therapies may be a sensible way to bolster the effects of conventional treatment and improve your tolerance to the side effects so you can complete your treatments.
After you complete treatment, your doctor will set up a monitoring plan. This is a great time to evaluate any practices, lifestyle choices, and complementary therapies you’ve been using or that you want to start. See what fits into your overall wellness plan.
Words of guidance
Read some words of inspiration and guidance from Michael Lerner, CancerChoices co-founder and author of Choices in Healing.
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