The diagnosis of cancer, whether early stage with simple treatment and good prognosis or a more serious form with complex treatment and guarded prognosis, is often an existential turning point in life. One’s sense of personal security and future plans may be suddenly thrown into disarray by the daunting nature of treatment and the uncertainty of the future. During this treatment phase, many people do experience personal and professional support. This phase is often filled with a purpose and a “busyness”. However, when treatment is concluded and “remission” is declared, much of this support falls away.

Many are able to move on with life, family and career. However, a significant number of survivors are left feeling anxious and uncertain about their present circumstances and the future. Anxiety, either free floating or focussed on a range of concerns including body image, relationships, risk of relapse can lead into more profound mood disorders and block return to a state of wellbeing.

These problems can be addressed with medication and psychotherapy. However, there is another path – the path of meditation or its modern offshoot, mindfulness – that can lead to healing and wellbeing.

Meditation is an ancient practice and the capacity to meditate seems to be embedded in our nature as humans. It forms a strand in all known religious traditions. Modern meditation practitioners come from all faiths, or no faith. Many people who describe themselves as agnostic or atheist practice meditation. Perhaps the oldest continuously practiced meditation tradition in the world, is that practised by aboriginal people in northern Australia, often referred to as “dadirri”.

Meditation and mindfulness practice can be divided into three major groups – focussed attention such as when one uses a mantra or focusses on the breath; expanded consciousness; and practices linked to movement, sound or music. While each practice will have its advocates, there is nothing to demonstrate that one is better than another.

What has been established through a number of studies is that, if one chooses a particular practice and follows it faithfully, the practice will produce benefits for the practitioner such as reduced levels of anxiety and episodes of depression, better sleep patterns and lower blood pressure. A recent study of breast cancer patients both during and after treatment, demonstrated that a meditation/mindfulness practice is recommended for anxiety/stress reduction, relief of depression/mood disorders and for improved quality of life.

So, how to proceed?

There are many reputable groups operating in cities and regional areas that can be found through the internet and that will provide an introduction to a meditation/mindfulness practice for little or no cost.

Having found a group and practice with which you are comfortable, the next step is to do it! Remember that this is not a belief system or academic exercise, it is a practice. In order to achieve the benefits, one has to establish the practice. The principles underpinning most practices are very simple. The difficulty is in making the commitment to the practice and accepting that changes and benefits will accrue very slowly – but they will accrue.

Meditation or mindfulness forms an important pillar alongside exercise and good nutrition to assist return to health and wellbeing for those recovering from cancer treatment.

The post MINDFULNESS, MEDITATION AND WELLNESS AFTER CANCER appeared first on Evexia Care.

For more details contact http://www.ywcaencore.org.au/about-ywca-encore/find-ywca-encore-programs

The post Evexia presents again at YWCA Encore Function appeared first on Evexia Care.

https://www.facebook.com/daafestival/videos/502571023550240/

The post Dragons Abreast Australia Live Interview: Exercise and cancer appeared first on Evexia Care.

The post Evexia Care at Dragons Abreast Australia Festival appeared first on Evexia Care.

The post BCNA “Plan B Beyond Breast Cancer” Webcast appeared first on Evexia Care.

The post Intimacy after cancer: Psycho-oncology conference appeared first on Evexia Care.

The post Exercise for People with Cancer appeared first on Evexia Care.

The BCNA is the key support organisation to breast cancer survivors, families and the clinicians who are involved with their care.

The Field of Women was attended by thousands of supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday 12th August.

http://www.mcg.org.au/whats-on/latest-news/2018/july/bcna-field-of-women

The post BCNA Field of Women Event appeared first on Evexia Care.

Dr Adams said: “In all cancer types there is a benefit to exercise. We now know that exercise can actually mitigate some of the side effects of therapy and can actually improve the quality of life for those patients, both during and after therapy. In addition it is possible for some cancers it may actually improve their chances of the cancer not returning.

“So we know that exercise can actually reduce the patients’ fatigue through therapy. It’s likely to actually improve the chance of them actually completing their therapy. So the medicines we give to treat cancer can increase the chance of side effects such as fatigue, and exercise can ameliorate these side effects.

“We know that it is safe, it’s been proven in clinical trials, with actually quite significant volumes and intensities of exercise. A classic example would be prostate cancer where we suppress testosterone, and we know that testosterone is important for muscle mass. So by using exercise we can counteract some of the effects of that muscle loss through a tailored program.

“As soon as you have been unfortunately given a diagnosis of cancer I think it’s time to ask your doctor is it safe for me to get fitter either before my operation or even before the start of my treatment. We are moving into an era where treatments are sometimes given before surgery and there are recommendations to actually exercise so that you can get through your surgery fitter.

“Once you’ve have a diagnosis of cancer, we know that for some cancers through observational studies we can reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Those studies are only observational studies, but we are now looking through randomised controlled trials to see whether this is a true effect and to see the magnitude of the effect. We believe that it is likely to reduce the risk of these cancers returning in the region of about 30%.”

Importantly for cancer survivors, she stated:

“….this is not just exercise during your treatment, this is hopefully something that you can continue throughout your life. We actually know that more women these days are cured of their breast cancer and actually are at more risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore it is really important that we take through life changing diagnoses, such as cancer, and provide that teachable moment, to improve their education and look after their health.”
Listen to podcast or read transcript here:
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/exercise-and-cancer-improving-treatment-and-outcomes/10024822

The post Exercise and cancer: Improving treatment and outcomes (ABC Health Report with Dr Norman Swan) appeared first on Evexia Care.

The post Breaking a sweat to beat cancer appeared first on Evexia Care.