Ayurveda as Supportive Care During Cancer Treatment

What is supportive care?

Supportive care means helping a person cope with cancer and its treatment.

It may include help with:

Pain

Fatigue

Sleep

Nutrition

Emotional stress

Physical activity

Treatment-related symptoms

Rehabilitation

Family and social concerns

Supportive care can begin at the time of diagnosis and continue during treatment and recovery.

Where can Ayurveda fit in?

Ayurveda may contribute to supportive care through carefully selected approaches involving:

Food and nutritionSupporting adequate nourishment according to the person's needs and medical condition.

Daily routineEncouraging regular sleep, activity and rest.

Breathing and relaxationAppropriate breathing and relaxation practices may help some people manage stress.

Gentle physical activityActivity should be adapted to the person's strength, treatment and medical condition.

Mind–body careMeditation, relaxation and other appropriate practices may support emotional wellbeing.

Selected Ayurvedic medicinesThese require individual assessment and should only be used after considering possible interactions with cancer treatment.

What Ayurveda should NOT do

Supportive Ayurveda should not:

Replace cancer treatment

Ask a patient to stop prescribed medicines

Promise a cure

Delay necessary surgery or other treatment

Assume that the same treatment is suitable for every cancer patient

Communication is essential.

If you are receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or other cancer treatment, tell your Ayurveda physician about it.

Likewise, tell your oncologist about Ayurvedic medicines and supplements.

This allows both sides to consider safety and possible interactions.

Remember

The purpose of integrative care is simple:

Better care for the whole person, without compromising effective cancer treatment.

Always discuss new medicines, herbs, supplements or intensive therapies with your cancer-care team before starting them.

Reliable sources: National Cancer Institute (NCI), World Health Organization (WHO), relevant national cancer-care guidelines, and appropriate peer-reviewed evidence.