Posted in Integrative Oncology
Breast cancer - a story of love, loss and transformation.
Posted by MIOG Community
on 12 March 2020
My story is one of love, loss and transformation. It began four years ago with my husband's suicide.
I responded to his death the only way I knew how: I was stoic and resilient. After taking a couple of months off work, I went back to my executive role. I went back to competitive running. I saw a counsellor each Wednesday to "schedule" my grief, but otherwise soldiered on with life and thought I was coping really well.
Two and a half years later, in November 2018, I found a...
I responded to his death the only way I knew how: I was stoic and resilient. After taking a couple of months off work, I went back to my executive role. I went back to competitive running. I saw a counsellor each Wednesday to "schedule" my grief, but otherwise soldiered on with life and thought I was coping really well.
Two and a half years later, in November 2018, I found a...
The use of Complementary Medicine in Cancer Care
Posted by MIOG support team
on 13 February 2020
Many patients with cancer seek Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) during their cancer treatment (22% as an overall average, but up to 87% of women with breast cancer, and up to 50% of women with ovarian cancer). Interestingly, 40% of those patients using complementary therapies with cancer do not disclose this to their Oncologist. *
This article explains what CAMs are and when they are appropriate, and ultimately aims to open up the dialogue between patients and their enti...
Acupuncture for cancer-related pain
Posted
on 23 January 2020
Cancer pain affects most people at some stage of their cancer treatment. It can be very debilitating, and it can cause problems with sleep, day to day functioning, exercise, mental health and relationships. There are a number of ways to manage pain, and like most things cancer-related, they work best in a larger treatment plan that is centred on the patient as an individual.
Does it work?
Studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce cancer-related pain, particul...
What is Integrative Oncology
Posted by MIOG support team
on 16 January 2020
Integrative Oncology is the use of scientifically researched and validated Complementary Therapies to support patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. It is used alongside conventional medical interventions, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or hormone therapy.
Complementary Therapies may include nutritional or herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle changes, psychological support, and other non-invasive therapies such as hyperthermia, oxygen therapy and more.
...
Cancer Related Fatigue
Posted
on 12 September 2019
Of all the side effects of cancer treatment, some expected, some unexpected, cancer related fatigue is the most common and the most debilitating.
What is cancer related fatigue?
Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is a persistent lack of energy that is not significantly improved by sleep, and is not due to over exertion. CRF feels different to a tiredness you might feel at the end of a long day that is restored with a good nights' sleep. CRF can make it difficult to cope with the ...
Breast Cancer - It's Not All About The Oestrogen
Posted by Tanya Wells
on 18 July 2019
When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, they undergo a biopsy during which 3 receptivity markers are tested: ER (oestrogen), PR (progesterone) and HER2 (human epidermal growth factor). Each of these can be positive or negative, suggesting whether cancer cells are receptive to these hormones. This defines the type of breast cancer present.
Most common types of breast cancer are:
ER/PR+ve HER2 -ve (70-80%)
ER/PR-ve HER2 +ve (20%)
Triple negative (meaning all the three above...