The diagnosis of cancer is a life altering experience for anyone. The response of the patient to it, will affect his or her mood, adherence to treatment, quality of life, and the level of support he or she receives from the care-givers. From the time of diagnosis, the following conditions occur in sequence:
- Denial
- Fear
- Anxiety and panic
- Delirium, Confusion
- Adjustment disorders and
- Depression
A wide range of psychiatric and psychological problems affect patients and families, before, during and after cancer care and treatment.
There are certain psychosomatic symptoms of cancer which can mimic side effects from treatment, e.g., Fatigue, loss of appetite and sleeplessness.
Identifying the cause of these symptoms will help the therapist to clear them from the patient, thereby improving the quality of life of the patient. Studies indicate that 40% to 50% of adult cancer patients, undergo some form of psychiatric distress after diagnosis. An Oncologist's role does not end with managing the physical effects of cancer and providing cancer treatment. Treating the disease, and the body of the cancer patient alone, is incomplete cancer treatment. Hence, we, at SAI BALAJI CANCER CLINIC, take extra efforts to provide mental support to the cancer patient and his / her family. This is achieved by;
- Psycho educational intervention
- Coping skills training
- Mindfulness - based stress reduction
- Electronic - Technology based intervention
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Group Psychotherapy
A Psychologist has to de-stress the cancer patient and the family involved. If this psychologist has a complete knowledge about various cancers - its biology and natural history, its treatment and prognosis, the principles of management, and complications arising out of treatment modalities - then the psychologist is in a better position to comfort the minds of the cancer patients and their family. Such a psychologist is called a PSYCHO ONCOLOGIST.
Psycho oncology is a developing field and trained psychologists are scarce. The Psycho oncologist of Sai Balaji Cancer Clinic, Dr. V. Kalarani, is a qualified psychologist with a P.G. Degree and has had her formal training at Adyar cancer institute. She has counselled a variety of cancer patients at various stages and has enormous experience in reading the mind set of these individuals who have been diagnosed with this dreaded disease.
Should the cancer patient and his / her family need to undergo all this psychological stress and agony? " No ", says Dr. V. Kalarani. " With improved techniques in counselling and coping skills and with advancements in the field of stress management, accepting the diagnosis of cancer and co-operating for the treatment would be less stigmatising and traumatising ". She further adds that " This results in early treatment, and better outcomes in a mentally comfortable scenario ".
The psycho-oncology section of the SAI BALAJI CANCER CLINIC, conducts various counselling activities like, Group psychotherapy, Individual psychotherapy, Family and Care givers counselling, Yoga mudhras, Relaxation techniques, Play therapy, Acupressure and Varma, Reiki therapy etc., These are taught FREE OF COST, in a comfortable ambience with the desired privacy. Patients treated elsewhere, at other cancer hospitals by any other oncologist, are also welcome. In addition we conduct monthly meetings of our patients aimed at providing confidence for patients. We have a 'SBCC WOMENS GROUP' and a WHATSAPP GROUP to motivate patients. These activities help cancer patients undergo and complete treatment promptly and effectively.
This explains why most of our patients continue to attend their offices during and after treatment, continue to care for their loved ones at home, continue to study and complete their education, have travelled abroad, married and had children, have authored books and more importantly help to counsel and comfort cancer patients who are under treatment at present.
That is why the SAI BALAJI CANCER CLINIC is proud to announce them as WINNERS... and not just survivors!
- Cancer is contagious No, Cancer is not a contagious disease. Physical proximity to a cancer patient will not harm the health of a normal individual.
- A lump is cancerous only if it is painful No. Cancer is never painful in its early stages. In fact, a painless ulcer in the mouth or a painless lump in the breast is more likely to be cancerous.
- Cancer treatment is painful No. Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy never induce pain. In fact, they are intended to relieve the already existing cancer pain in advanced cases. However, some chemotherapy medicines (taxanes), hormonal agents (Aromatase inhibitors) and supportive medicines (Filgrastim), can cause mild, tolerable, generalised body ache after administration. They can be easily managed with Paracetamol.
- Cancer is always incurable No. All cancers are curable in its early stage. Some cancers like Choriocarcinoma, Hodgkin's disease and Testicular cancers are curable even in its advanced stage.
- Sugar increases cancer risk No. All cells of our body need sugar to survive. Consumed sugar is not specifically taken up by cancer cells alone. Reseaches do not support the view, that avoiding sugar shrinks or prevents cancer. On the contrary, it makes a person with cancer weaker, making him unfit for cancer treatment.
- Acidic diet promotes cancer No. Taking an acidic or alkaline diet will not alter the blood PH. Neither will it change the environment in which cancer cells grow. Therefore, the alkalinity or acidity of ones diet cannot induce cancer or change its biology.
- Superdiets and miracle No. Vitamins and antioxidants in general may prevent cancer. But research till date has not identified any specific super diet or an exclusive miracle remedy to cure all forms of cancer.