Advanced cancer is the stage in the life of a cancer patient where modern medicine deems the cancer to be incurable and the focus is more upon palliative treatment of different symptoms such as pain, easy fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, vomiting, weakness, breathlessness, and constipation. In addition to treating the symptoms, the other focus is on attempting to prevent a further spread of the tumour.
In spite of the advanced stage of the cancer, Ayurvedic herbal treatment can still be instituted to treat the cancer, control its spread, treat all the related symptoms, as well as bring about a remission of the tumour and prolong the life span of the affected individual. Treatment of the important symptoms as well as life support care is very important in this context, in order to help keep the individual alive till such time as the medicines become visibly effective and the tumour starts regressing. On a practical level, usually about two months’ time is required for this to happen and it is critical to use all possible means to help keep the patient alive so as to be able to effectively treat the cancer and achieve a long-term success in the treatment of such advanced cancers.
The next focus of importance is to use Ayurvedic medicines in high doses in order to effectively reduce tumour size as rapidly as possible without any serious adverse effects. This reduces pressure symptoms and other physiological and metabolic dynamics which can increase morbidity and mortality. It is also equally important to improve the immune status of the affected individual so that the overwhelmed immune system becomes an effective tool in fighting against the cancer. It is also equally important to treat other symptoms which are serious or troublesome to the patient and which can differ according to the type and location of the cancer.
The effective treatment for advanced cancer may require joint management by a team of specialist doctors, wherein intensive care can be given in the hospital, and additional supportive treatment can be given in the form of Ayurvedic medicines, in order to help bring about a remission and possible cure even in advanced cancer.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
