Taking charge when your cancer is in remission

Taking Charge with Integrative Therapy

Alex Trujillo loves to bike.

 

For him, it's meaningful. Having battled cancer for years, he knows how important it is to control stress and stay physically and mentally healthy. 

 

“When I got the cancer, because of the atrophy, it took me a while until I was able to even get on my bike for fear I wasn't even strong enough to maintain my balance,” he said. “But I did.  I road for a short time.”

 

He worked up to riding 10 miles four times a week.

 

“It gives me a sense of purpose,” he said.

 

Finding peace and a sense of purpose is all part of the integrative oncology program at Florida Cancer Specialists.  Dr. Nuruddin Jooma is the medical director of the Integrated Oncology Program at Florida Cancer Specialists. 

 

“Integrative medicine is a complimentary approach to treating cancer patients,” Jooma said.

 

In addition to their medical treatments, exercise, diet, acupuncture, supplements, massage, yoga and  mind and body therapy is offered.

 

Dr. Gene Healy said integrative therapy might help a cancer patient with more than just easing stress.

 

“Specifically things like nausea is fairly well documented,” Healy said. “There might be different kinds of pains unrelated to their cancer therapy, but we work on a wide range of things.”

 

Jooma said, “Some of the drugs we use can cause neuropathy or numbness of fingertips and toes, which can turn into a painful process and affect the quality of life. In those cases, we will use evidence-based supplements to help them decrease the risk of neuropathy formation. Number two, we would refer them to our acupuncturist.”

 

Both doctors said studies show acupuncture, used in conjunction with chemo, reduces the risk of permanent neuropathy.

 

Florida Cancer Specialists also offers a dietitian's guidance. 

 

“I work with the patients and doctors and families to make sure they stay well-nourished during their treatments. We want to keep them strong.  We want to support their immune system. Maintain a healthy weight and have the energy to tolerate their treatments.”

by: Linda Hurtado

4:29 PM, Apr 15, 2015