Scientific Evidence Affirms the Beneficial Role of Mental Techniques Like Meditation and Music for Addressing Anxiety Caused by Cancer
At Wilmot's Pluta Cancer Center, patients have access to a comprehensive range of services designed to support their physical, emotional, and social well-being. This integrative approach to oncology care combines conventional Western medical treatments with complementary therapies, focusing on the whole person, not just the disease.
The on-site location at Wilmot's Pluta Cancer Center provides professional nutrition advice, massage, and other services. Additionally, these services are available online, ensuring that patients can access support regardless of their location.
Integrative medicine is a holistic healthcare approach that aims to address the patient's lifestyle, emotions, psychological well-being, and social circumstances. Alissa Huston, the co-medical director of the Pluta Integrative Oncology and Wellness Center, is a strong advocate for this approach. She is also an associate professor of Medicine and Hematology/Oncology at the Wilmot Cancer Institute and practices mostly at Wilmot's Pluta location in Henrietta.
More than 40% of individuals with cancer report anxiety or depression associated with the diagnosis, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Evidence shows that mindfulness-based interventions, such as meditation, are the most effective therapies for cancer-related anxiety and depression. Patients are advised to discuss all vitamins and supplements they are taking with their physicians, as supplements were not recommended due to inconclusive scientific data and potential unsafe interactions with cancer medications.
A calendar of classes with a Zoom link and a digital library of videos are available for patients, providing them with opportunities to learn and practice mindfulness techniques. A new set of national guidelines recommends the use of mind-body techniques, including mindfulness meditation, for cancer patients to manage anxiety and depression during and after treatment. Yoga, hypnosis, acupuncture, and music therapy are among the "integrative oncology" interventions that show strong enough evidence to recommend to patients.
Wilmot Cancer Institute offers cost-free integrative oncology and wellness center to all its patients in the 27-county upstate New York region. The Pluta Cancer Center Foundation supports the free integrative oncology services at Wilmot, ensuring that patients have access to these valuable resources.
In a stressful situation, such as waiting for scan results, patients can practice mindfulness techniques to help manage their emotions. Integrative oncology is specific to cancer and emphasizes lifestyle changes and mind-body practices.
The Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) convened the expert panel that reviewed 110 studies on integrative oncology interventions. Alissa Huston was part of the national team that reviewed scientific data and made recommendations based on clinical study outcomes. The guidelines were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
In conclusion, integrative medicine enhances cancer care by combining effective medical treatments with nurturing therapies that honour the patient's total health experience. This approach leads to better symptom control, emotional resilience, and patient satisfaction. At Wilmot's Pluta Cancer Center, patients can benefit from this holistic approach to cancer care.
- At Wilmot's Pluta Cancer Center, patients can participate in a calendar of classes offering mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, to manage anxiety and depression associated with cancer.
- Integrative oncology, specific to cancer care at Wilmot, emphasizes lifestyle changes and mind-body practices, like yoga, hypnosis, acupuncture, and music therapy.
- The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) recognized the benefits of integrative medicine in cancer care, recommending its use for better symptom control, emotional resilience, and patient satisfaction.
- Alissa Huston, co-medical director of the Pluta Integrative Oncology and Wellness Center, is an advocate for this holistic approach to cancer care and was part of the national team that reviewed scientific data on integrative oncology interventions.
