Cancer Treatment Center in Scottsdale
Every person that has been diagnosed with cancer has a unique set of needs when it comes to cancer treatment. The two most common forms of cancer treatment are chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation is aimed directly at the cancer cells, in the hopes of preventing them from multiplying. Chemotherapy uses specific medications that target and eliminate cancer cells throughout the body. While radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells in a more specific area of the body, chemotherapy often kills cells-cancerous and non-cancerous- throughout the body.
Depending on the location, type and stage of the cancer, certain patients may require both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and also may be interested in receiving other forms of treatment. Most cancer centers in the Phoenix area treat either chemotherapy or radiation therapy patients, which means that the patient is required to go to different facilities for each procedure. More recently however, cancer centers in Phoenix have begun to take a more comprehensive, or integrated, approach to cancer treatment, by providing both types of cancer treatment, as well as other forms of therapy, all under one roof.
WHAT A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH INVOLVES:
A more comprehensive approach to cancer care often provides patients several treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and even surgery-within the same facility. Many cancer centers also offer complementary therapies, which are alternative methods of treating cancer that are used in conjunction with mainstream medical treatments, such as naturopathic cancer treatment. Complementary therapies not only address the physical aspect of cancer treatment, but they focus on a patient’s psychological and spiritual needs as well. When used along with traditional treatment methods, these therapies have been shown to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients, and promote healing. Popular complementary therapies include:
• Naturopathic Medicine-This type of medicine takes a holistic approach, and emphasizes the use of natural materials to restore health
• Mind-Body Medicine-Focus is placed on how the mind can affect a patient’s physical well-being
• Pain Management-Uses medicine, along with psychological and behavioral techniques to manage the pain caused by cancer and cancer treatments
• Nutritional Therapy-Nutrition is especially important when the body is repairing itself from the effects of cancer treatments
• Meditation-This relaxation method can be used to control pain caused by cancer and cancer treatments
• Spiritual Support-Incorporates a patient’s faith into the overall healing process
Benefits of a More Comprehensive Approach to Care
Many cancer centers or oncology groups are finding that taking an integrated approach to cancer treatment can benefit patients in many ways. Often, time is of the essence, thus giving patients access to many different forms of treatment within one facility, patients often benefit from having less stress, less travel from one clinic or hospital to another, and closely monitored care– which can all help contribute to more successful outcomes.