Holistic Breast Cancer Healing: 5 Essential Questions Answered

Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it is important to know that there are ways to manage the side effects of treatment, reduce the risk of recurrence, and support your healing process. As an integrative and holistic cancer health coach, and I have overcome stage III. breast cancer myself, I am here to answer 5 of the most common questions that breast cancer patients have, providing tips and guidance to help you start thriving with cancer.

 

Managing the 5 Main Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer treatment can cause side effects,  such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, pain, and lymphedema, to look at the most common ones. Based on each person and their bio individuality, there can be several ways to help reduce side effects naturally, here are 3 to 5 tips to manage each of these side effects. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor.

 

Fatigue:

1. Prioritize rest and sleep. Understand how deep relaxation and sleep helps regenerate healthy cells. Ask for professional support if you have sleep deprivation.
2. Incorporate gentle exercise, such as walking or yoga, into your routine
3. Conserve your energy by delegating tasks and saying no to unnecessary commitments

 

My particular choice was :  learn about mind – body medicine, walk, play, paint, acupuncture, progressive body relaxation, guided visualization

 

Nausea:

1. Eat small, light frequent meals, avoid any food allergies, sugars, reduce coffee, eat antiinflammation foods and anticancer foods
2. Avoid strong odours and spicy or fatty foods
3. Stay hydrated by sipping water or herbal tea throughout the day
4. Essential oils and aromatherapy can effectively reduce nausea

 

My particular choice was : aromatherapy, anticancer foods, light meals, intermittent fasting, hydration

 

Hair loss:

1. Hair grows back curly and thick in most cases.  However difficult and emotional it might seem to lose hair; you are not equal to your hair. In some cases, treatment does not result in hair loss.
2. Wearing a wig, scarf, or hat may even result in compliments from your environment.
3. There is also the cold capping option, using a cold cap during chemo treatment, which in some cases prevents hair from falling. There are success stories online with this,  it is advisable to do research about the product order, practice, and whether it is applicable to your situation.
4. Protect your scalp from the sun and cold with a hat or headscarf

 

My choice was : I bought a wig and further accessories financed by insurance in Switzerland.  Someone even asked who my hairdresser is, they liked my wig so much.

 

Pain:

1. Pay close attention to your body’s reactions. Ask who and when you can call within your medical team and communicate about any pain you experience
2. Use hot or cold packs to relieve discomfort
3. Explore complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or massage, and emotional pain relievers like EFT to alleviate pain. Depending on the pain, there can be several effective natural ways to relieve pain.

 

My choice : acupuncture, EFT, various practices for joints, massage for nerves

 

Lymphedema:

1. Exercise regularly to improve lymphatic flow. There are specific yoga exercises to enhance  lymph circulation
2. Wear compression garments as recommended by your healthcare team
3. Avoid injury or infection to the affected area by taking extra care when shaving or doing manicure
4. Avoid artificial nails to prevent infection
5. Go for a lymph massage or use a soft laser or a Bemer device to help lymph circulation

 

My choice : walk, dance, swing, lymph massage

 

Building and Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle for Healing

In addition to managing side effects, building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can support your healing process after a breast cancer diagnosis. Here are 3 tips for doing so:

 

1. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, organic, bio and antiinflammation, anticancer foods
2. Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or yoga
3. Practice stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, journaling or other energy exercises and visualising healing techniques

 

Create your personal health building holistic healing plan including your health vision, your purpose, and healing, uplifting the different sides of your life, including addressing negative thoughts, beliefs.

 

Coping with the Emotional Roller Coaster

Breast cancer treatment can bring up a range of emotions, from fear and anxiety to sadness and anger. Here are 3 tips for coping with the emotional roller coaster:

 

1. Seek support from loved ones, a therapist, or a support group
2. Practice self-care activities, by being creative to find your best self-love activities including and beyond a relaxing bath, getting a massage or face yoga
3. Express your feelings through creative outlets, such as writing or painting.

 

My choice: released negative emotions, learned deep relaxation, alpha meditation, yoga, acupuncture, regular journaling, turning inwards, finding creative outlets like painting

 

Strategies for Reducing the Risk of Recurrence

After completing breast cancer treatment, it is important to take steps to reduce the risk of recurrence. Here are 3 effective strategies:

 

1. Maintain a healthy nutrition focusing on reducing chronic inflammation in your body
2. Maintain energy boosting lifestyle habits and practices
3. Create a post cancer care plan for both your medical supervision and your healthy lifestyle maintenance

 

My choice: educated myself further about root causes of cancer and reflected on my root cause. Payed attention to my body’s signalling, my microbiome, reduced inflammation, developed self – care and self – love practices. Listing these sound very technical, but in reality they are all emotional processes.

 

Available Resources for Emotional, Psychological, and Social Support

There are a variety of resources available for breast cancer patients seeking emotional, psychological, spiritual and social support during and after treatment. Here are 3 options:

 

1. Join a local or online support group for breast cancer patients, survivors and thrivers
2. Explore oncopsychology and/or health coaching  to process emotions and improve coping skills
3. Explore holistic therapies, such as meditation or acupuncture, to support overall wellness.

 

 

If this resonates with you leave a message, ask a question, get in touch here. I am happy to get back to you.