Every year cancer claims hundreds of thousands of lives, and though these death rates are lower than a couple of decades ago, we still don’t have any official cure for this dangerous disease. Any kind of cancer can take a massive toll on the body, and the current treatment methods like chemotherapy and radiotherapy have tons of severe side effects that can affect one’s quality of life.
Moreover, patients have to take a lot of medication that has side effects of their own; therefore, cancer patients need to try some natural ways to fight cancer as well.
These alternative cancer treatments may not play a direct role in the treatment or prevention of cancer; however, they are definitely able to help you cope with various symptoms and side effects caused by cancer and its treatment. These natural treatment techniques can help you combat stress, anxiety, nausea, pain, insomnia and many other issues that are caused due to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Here is a list of some natural ways to fight cancer and improve your quality of life.
1. Aromatherapy
As the name suggests, aromatherapy uses different scents and aromas to help you relax and counter some of the side effects of cancer treatment. Usually, fragrant essential oils like lavender oil are used for aromatherapy. These oils can be applied directly on the skin or added to a relaxing bath as well.
You can also use scented candles for aromatherapy. Studies have shown that aromatherapy can help us deal with problems like nausea and pain a little better, and most importantly, it helps us relax and avoid stress.
Aromatherapy using candles is totally safe, but if you have cancer that affects the estrogen levels in the body, for instance breast cancer, then applying too much essential oil on the skin might not be the best idea.
2. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a great way to relax and let loose, but it also has some medical applications that can be advantageous for cancer patients. Firstly, massage promotes relaxation and eliminates stress. Secondly, massage therapy can also be used to counter pain and fatigue. Massage therapy also improves our blood circulation and the performance of our lymphatic system, which can help in improving the overall quality of life for cancer patients. One of the most prominent advantages of massage is that it can help you sleep, which can get quite difficult when you are dealing with an intense disease like cancer.
Massage therapy can have a lot of benefits, but if you have a low blood count, then you should avoid getting a massage. Moreover, avoid massaging close to surgical scars and areas where you have received radiation treatment.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an effective form of Chinese medicine that has been used to treat many issues for a long time. During an acupuncture treatment, the practitioner puts very tiny, thin needles into your skin at precise pressure points. This can stimulate our hormonal system and certain organs.
Studies have shown that acupuncture may be helpful in relieving side-effects like nausea caused by chemotherapy. Moreover, certain types of pains can also be treated with acupuncture
Acupuncture is safe and side-effect free if it’s performed by a licensed practitioner. Therefore, look for a trustworthy and licensed acupuncture practitioner before you get a treatment. Moreover, keep in mind that acupuncture can be dangerous if you are taking blood thinners as a part of your cancer treatment, therefore consult with your physician before you book an acupuncture session.
4. Exercise Regularly
I understand that cancer treatments can leave you a bit lethargic, sluggish and fatigued, but you should try and make some effort and do some light and aerobic exercise every now and then. Many studies have shown that light aerobic exercise can increase the life expectancy of cancer patients, and improve their quality of life as well.
Moreover, exercise can be helpful during recovery after cancer treatment. Therefore, consult with your doctor and begin a light exercise program. You should aim to get half an hour of exercise, four to five days a week. Exercise will also help you combat the stress that may be caused because of cancer treatment.
Related: 8 Best Exercises to Improve Your Heart Health
5. Add Cancer-Fighting Foods to Your Diet
There aren’t any foods that can help you completely treat or prevent cancer, but some foods can certainly reduce the risk of cancer and aid with the treatment. Our diet is significantly impactful on every aspect of our health, therefore incorporate the following cancer-fighting foods in your diet to help prevent and treat the symptoms of cancer.
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Apples
- Berries
- Carrots
- Fish with omega-three fatty acids
- Legumes
- walnuts
6. Using Cannabis
Cannabis is known for many reasons, but very few people actually know that cannabis can be used to counter the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of its treatment. Firstly, cannabis can help you deal with nausea that is caused as a result of chemotherapy; secondly, it can be helpful in fighting any pain you may be feeling because of the disease, and thirdly, cannabis can also counter stress, which you will be feeling a lot of during your treatment.
Related: How can CBD Make Your Life Better?
To sum it all up, cancer is a terminal disease that takes a lot of lives every year, yet, unfortunately, we still don’t have any viable cure for the disease.
Moreover, the treatments that we do have can leave many side-effects that can diminish the quality of life of the patients. However, there are numerous natural ways in which you can combat cancer and the side effects of its treatment. We have mentioned some of these treatment methods in this post, and we hope that you find them helpful and effective.
