Argument in favor of Holistic Therapy for Lung Cancer Patients - Essay Example

Holistic Therapy for Lung Cancer Patients The treatment of lung cancer is one of the health concerns in the present era. Holistic therapy which is the focus of the paper is a type of treatment for lung cancer. This is also known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). The paper will present an overview of the said technique such as the definition, mechanisms and effects of its application.Holistic Therapy for Lung Cancer PatientsHolistic Therapy or treatment for lung cancer is also known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), which is a general term referring to several healing systems, philosophies, and practices that are considered unorthodox as compared to the conventional or western medicine.

The holistic therapy focuses on five aspects of life that contribute to persons’ sense of well being, namely physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual (St. John, 2009). To have a better understanding of the benefits and advantages of CAM over conventional medicines (specifically chemotherapy), three arguments will be created to support Holistic Therapy.Chemotherapy is a method of treatment wherein anticancer drugs are administered to the bloodstream usually via IV infusion, with some that can be taken by mouth.

The treatment not only affects rapidly multiplying cancer cells but also has adverse effects with healthy multiplying cells (Rothenflue, 2010). Focusing on the chemotherapy for lung cancer, the treatment has inherent side effects that can cause temporary as well as permanent damage to the patient. This side effect includes the reduction of healthy blood cells that lead to vulnerability to infections, bruises and bleeding, and the constant feeling of weakness and fatigue. It may also permanently damage the cells in hair roots; even if hair grows back after treatment, the color and texture would be different.

The anticancer drug can also harm the cells in the digestive tract that leads to loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Side effects become even worse when radiation therapy is taken at the same period (Rothenflue, 2010).For the first argument, it is evident that conventional medicines are detrimental to the physical and emotional well-being of the patient. The invasive nature of chemotherapy makes holistic therapy more appealing to cancer patients, with current studies indicating that increasing number of cancer patients have undergone at least one alternative treatment.

The most common CAM treatment is the use of vitamin and mineral supplements, which is intended to strengthen the patients’ immune system and to help increase their appetite.The second argument that can be raised is that CAM or holistic therapy is more effective than conventional medications. This is due to the fact that holistic therapies promote the overall wellness of a patient –mentally, physically and emotionally – and without letting the patient to experience pain and suffering with the strenuous and stressful chemotherapy.

Also, studies have found out that acupuncture is useful to manage the vomiting of patient associated with chemotherapy. The use of hypnosis, massage, meditation, and yoga has also been suggested to manage the side effects of conventional medicines and manage the symptoms of the disease as well (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).Finally, holistic therapies can be used as replacement to conventional medicines by conducting several types of therapies such as ayurvedic medicine, chiropractic medicine, homeopathic medicine, and other treatments that claims to provide cure to lung cancer patients and increases their chances of survival in fighting cancer (St.

John, 2009).ReferencesNational Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (2011). Cancer and CAM: At a glance. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/sites/nccam.nih.gov/files/camcancer.pdfRothenflue, V. (2010). Lung Cancer Treatment Information from the National Cancer Institute. Texas: Department of State Health Services. Retrieved from http://www.cancerallianceoftexas.org/storage/pdf-files/lung_cancer.pdfSt. John, T. M. (2009). With Every Breath: A Lung Cancer Guidebook. Retrieved from http://www.

lungcancerguidebook.org/