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Cancer
Patients Find Relief in Integrative Medicine Services -
Integrative Oncology Program aims to ease pain and help
patients manage cancer
Cancer Patients Find Relief in
Integrative Medicine Services - Northwestern Memorial’s
Integrative Oncology Program aims to ease pain and help
patients manage cancer
The very instant
Penny was diagnosed with breast cancer her world permanently
changed. Suddenly, it felt as if her life was out of her
control. She felt powerless and overwhelmed. There were so
many unanswered questions. Why me? What’s next? What about
my family? The feelings Penny experienced are felt by many
cancer patients following their initial diagnosis and as
they pursue treatment. In an effort to effectively and
compassionately respond to these worries, as well as address
common side effects associated with cancer treatment,
Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Robert H. Lurie
Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University now
offer integrative oncology services.
“When a patient is diagnosed with cancer many of them want
to fully participate in their recovery, but don’t know where
to begin. This program gives them control over their
treatment,” said Julian Schink, MD, chief of Gynecologic
Oncology at Northwestern Memorial and the Robert H. Lurie
Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
The integrative oncology services are part of a larger 360
Care Program that recently launched aimed to address cancer
patients’ needs from every angle through treatment that
extends beyond medical therapies, to include counseling,
stress management and integrative medicine.
Integrative oncology services include acupuncture,
massage, energy healing and naturopathic medicine
offered by Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group’s Center
for Integrative Medicine and Wellness.
“Our goal is to treat the whole person, not just their
illness,” said Melinda Ring, MD, medical director of
the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness. “Research
suggests that a holistic approach can alleviate stress
and anxiety, as well as the physical pain and discomfort
patients often experience while undergoing cancer
treatments by activating the body’s innate healing process.”
While there is little research to explain exactly how
integrative approaches like acupuncture work, researchers at
the National Institute of Health state complementary
therapy such as acupuncture do improve the body’s
immune system. In an oncology setting, integrative
approaches provide an effective way to manage symptoms,
alleviate side effects, and help patients restore their
sense of control and vitality.
Common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment
for cancer include muscle tension, aches, pains nausea,
vomiting and fatigue. The main role of complementary
medicine is to provide supportive care and reduce adverse
effects while helping the patient cope.
“Unfortunately, the side effects associated with
conventional therapies often cause patients to end their
treatments prematurely, or require that we take a less
aggressive approach,” said Schink. “We’ve seen this
occurrence decrease with the addition of integrative
oncology services.”
There is evidence that integrative approaches may also
play a role in reducing the rate of depression among
cancer patients. Services such as massage therapy are
believed to have a short-term effect on reducing anxiety
related to depression among patients.
Studies show 77 percent of cancer patients who incorporate
complementary approaches believe it improves their quality
of life, and 73 percent state it makes them feel hopeful. In
addition, 71 percent say it helps to boost their immune
system.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
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Pain Control and Pain Management Therapy
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