Cancer is an unwelcome visitor that often emerges unexpectedly. New patients can feel some uncertainty with survival as a focus. Complicated questions surface without simple answers. What causes cancer? What creates the tipping point between normal cells and abnormal cancerous cells? What specific elements create imbalance in the human body where it can no longer maintain equilibrium and homeostasis? Is it one factor or many components?
People with cancer live with the challenges of trying to understand what is happening in their body. Newly diagnosed cancer patients often feel the full range of human emotions as they negotiate their transition into the unknown. Life feels different. There is an innocence lost while new insights are gained. Proactive cancer patients know that health requires education and self-care. Each person with the disease, and sometimes it is the role of caregivers, must move forward as strong advocates. Resilience prevails. People uncover a spirit within that may have been buried and yet not banished. The challenges of cancer offer an invitation for emergence of a deeper truth.
As people dealing with cancer navigate new territory, they investigate the diagnosis in their body. They become detectives to understand key questions such as "What is cancer?" and "How will I survive the disease?."
To begin defining the disease, cancer becomes understood as a group of abnormal, unhealthy cells. Although a seemingly simple definition, the words do not convey the complexity of the problem. In cancer, part of the human body turned against itself where normal cell function became abnormal. Cellular balance was lost and tumor cells proliferated. A diseased area became detectable. Cancer cells infiltrated and interfered with healthy functions causing a negative impact to other parts of the body often with a fertile environment supporting disease. Indeed, most scientists and cancer patients agree that cancer is extremely complex.
After the emotional reaction to a cancer diagnosis settles enough, cancer patients and their caregivers begin the quest for knowledge to restore health. How can cancer patients begin to unravel the puzzle of imbalance versus balance in their bodies? People with cancer can become detectives working in collaboration with investigators taking a whole person approach in the midst of disease. Since each person is one whole integrated system, many avenues must be explored and addressed.
Each individual must focus on her or his body and personal lifestyle. The internal environment of the body strongly impacts whether or not cancer will grow and survive in each individual. The environment in each person is defined through many factors, including diet, inflammation status, detoxification functions, the immune system, sleep patterns, exercise, weight, other lifestyle choices, the mind-body, spirituality, social support, the external environment, and additional components.
Each individual must also explore what is around the body. The internal environment is strongly impacted and even defined in part through the external environment. Studies demonstrate a link between cancer and the environment. Even the National Cancer Institute states that the majority of cancers could be prevented by acting on what is known about environmental causes of cancer.
Scientists continue to investigate the complexity and multifactorial dimensions of cancer evaluating causes and treatments for the disease. Laboratory and clinical cancer research occurs daily and yet advances are slow overall. The urgent need for more knowledge, collaboration, and patient application can be seen in the eyes of cancer patients and their loved ones. People harboring cancerous cells require therapies to address the range of cancer-causing, disease-fighting, and wellness-promoting factors to shift internal and external disequilibrium into balance. They need innovation. They need it now.
There is no waiting game. There is the illuminated here and now for people with cancer. While there are more questions than answers, there is reliable information that helps explain some evidence-based components of cancer from a whole person perspective. EmbodiWorks is decided to providing reliable integrative cancer care resources. The available science demonstrates that you can make a difference to reduce cancer risk, improve cancer related survival, and quality of life. For cancer patients and caregivers in the midst of uncertainty, there is always support. Empower yourself through education. Take action. Today.
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