The combined breast cancer treatment
A spirit of optimism lies in the air, light tension, cautious mutual peering, but also curiosity and a little impatience. Some rush forward, confidently confess, others remain silent, hesitate before even saying anything. So far, they do not know each other, but they want to get together - to overcome the problems that lie ahead of them together. Eleven weeks, the nine women will spend each Monday together to learn strategies: for a new life, their lives with breast cancer.
"The disease dominates my everyday life, I want it to take a back seat and I can regain my confidence in my own opportunities," says Claudia S., 49, one of the participants of the daily group, who will visit the Essen-based clinics this morning. Middle begins. The slim, sporty woman with short hair has surgery and chemotherapy behind her and wants to start working as a secretary again. "The daily routine will never be the same again as before, but the panic continues, but the uncertainty remains, perhaps as a warning," says Regine B. The red-haired 54-year-old, who teaches at the university, was admitted eight years ago Tumor removed from the chest, now she had one again, a recurrence. "The disease must be integrated into everyday life without being able to control it."
How this can succeed, the women learn here in the day clinic. Together they learn how to better manage their cancer and actively support the healing process. Healthy nutrition, exercise, communication training and dealing with one's own feelings are on the program as well as breath and relaxation exercises, yoga, Qi-Gong, mindfulness meditation and stress management.
"It's a journey to yourself at different levels," says Sabine Conrad, ecotrophologist and relaxation educator who leads the day group. "The most important thing is that women reassert their needs and find out what strengthens them, because everything that strengthens helps to manage the disease."
Reordering life already during breast cancer treatment
Relaxation gives strength. That's what Uta learned in the Tagesgruppe der Kliniken Essen-Mitte. Side effects of the therapy relieve the doctors there with acupuncture.
Mind body medicine means this, order therapy, methods that promote the mental and physical self-healing powers. In the USA, it is already an integral part of cancer therapy, with us the clinics Essen-Mitte are pioneers. There, one of the first breast centers in Germany has recently been set up, which works with so-called "Integrative Oncology", treating tumors simultaneously with conventional medicine and naturopathy. And in addition, the patients specifically with mind-body medicine - the third pillar of this new concept - supports.
"Conventional medicine with surgery, radiation, chemo- and anti-hormone therapy focuses on the tumor," says Professor Gustav Dobos. "Naturopathy specifically strengthens the whole person, trying to balance healthy and sick parts - like a scale." The head of the department "Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine" with a chair at the University of Duisburg-Essen has many years of experience, his knowledge is in demand. He has to go to the airport right away, to a congress. You do not notice the time pressure. Serene he sits in his study, through the open window noise from the neighboring kindergarten penetrates.
"Already a change in lifestyle can achieve a lot," he says. Breast cancer patients who walk, swim, jog or ride three hours a week and eat five to seven servings of fruit and vegetables daily have a 50 percent reduction in mortality after ten years, which is similar to giving a chemotherapy drug. " That this is often not easy to implement in everyday life, the physician also knows. Much has to be practiced anew. But the results are impressive. And the patients themselves can actively contribute to the process of recovery - something most people want. Women with breast cancer are among the cancer patients who most often take naturopathic therapies. If they did that before the start of orthodox medical therapy, Dobos thought that would be optimal. Because the diagnosis "breast cancer" causes anxiety and causes stress. This has consequences for the immune system, the healing process is slowed down.
"Cancer is like crossing the Alps," says Dobos. "If an untrained person wants to climb a mountain, it makes sense to prepare for it: endurance training, sports, learning a meditation - a lot can be achieved, if necessary get a second opinion, get informed and wait until the first mortal fear goes away is.Women who undergo surgery and treatment in a physically fit and mentally stable state have a better chance. "Many patients still see it differently, however, as the physicians in Essen have discovered: they want to get rid of their tumor as soon as possible, only then do they have their heads free to become active themselves.
Needles against side effects
The point is very sensitive, every touch there is unpleasant. As the needle point penetrates, Barbara S., 46, exhales audibly, relieved, as if the tension of the last few days were escaping her. Carefully Dr. Petra Voiß has two more acupuncture needles in her ear and two on her forehead. Precision work. "The pressure in the head diminishes. Fantastic." Barbara is happy, relaxes even more on the couch. Six weeks ago, a tumor was removed from her breast and five days ago she received her first chemo. She feels a little tired, exhausted, slightly dizzy, dizzy. And her head hurt her - until now. Nausea does not bother her. Nevertheless, Petra Voiß has needled the stomach and liver zones in the ear. And the "shenmen point", which positively influences the well-being.
After 20 minutes, the needles are removed again, Barbara can go. She has seven chemotherapies, followed by radiation and five years of antihormonal therapy. Barbara is only at the beginning of her "Alpine crossing". But she is confident, feels well supported by the clinic "roped party". "I'm doing surprisingly well." Only that her hair will soon fail, scares her. "It's still up to me," she says. "They grow back, but the hair loss makes the disease public." Petra Voiss can understand that. "On the other hand, unfortunately, my needles do not help," says the doctor for natural remedies.
For each patient the therapy is determined by the team.
Naturopathic additional therapies are offered such as acupuncture and neural therapy, in which a local anesthetic is injected, for example against scar pain, in Essen all breast cancer patients. 50 to 60 percent of women accept them. "We can excellently reduce the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and changes in the oral mucosa using naturopathic methods," says private lecturer Sherko Kümmel, director of the Department of Senology, the new breast center in Essen. He leads with pride through the bright, friendly-colored rooms, equipped with comfortable sitting areas and the latest medical technology in diagnostics and therapy. Outside, in front of the large windows, a garden is created, with a pond. "We have the greatest success in fatigue syndrome, chronic fatigue that most affects women's performance, or the hot flashes, bone and joint problems that can occur with anti-hormonal therapy." Seventy to 75 percent of all patients receive antihormonal medication over several years. Up to 40 percent discontinue this treatment due to the strong side effects prematurely, so gynecologist caraway. "With acupuncture we can significantly reduce these symptoms."
Try out what is good
Yoga in the day group - a new experience for most patients.
Karin E., 59, also regularly receives acupuncture from the beginning. Even before surgery, needles in her ear took away her anxiety, now they relieve her severe back pain, the consequences of the anti-hormonal drugs that the former cartographer in the former Land Surveying Office in Bonn has been taking for 180 days. More than four years with the daily tablet are still ahead of her. "When I found out I needed to take antihormones, I cried, I thought I did not have to do it, but I want it, and the side effects are endured," says Karin. "I want to live."
She sits astride a chair, her arms resting on the backrest, her upper body bent forward. Today her neck hurts a lot, she can hardly move her head. With the lid of a Babybreigläschens processed Petra Voiß Karins neck and shoulders. She rubs her skin vigorously until she reddens, tiny punctate hemorrhages appear. "Gua Sha" is the name given to this massage, which comes from traditional Chinese medicine. "It solves even persistent tension," says the doctor. The price is red welts that remain visible for four, five days. Karin does not mind that, she is glad she can turn her head again, her shoulders relax. "I try everything that is recommended to me, so far it has always helped," she says. "First I was given my body here, then my soul and my mind, I hope I have found the right path for me."
A new body feeling
As in slow motion, one arm pushes forward, the other backwards. Uta V. stands in the garden of the clinic, she concentrates, breathing deeply and calmly. "Shoot with Archery" is the name of the Qi Gong exercise. She does not look quite fluent yet, but the 36-year-old strives, she practices regularly. The vivacious project manager has learned it in one of Sabine Conrad's day clinic groups.She was just at the first check-up after the tumor operation. The therapist happily tells her that everything is alright: "I was terribly upset last night, but your breathing exercises helped me." She also got to know them in the group. As well as the spraying of a mistletoe preparation, Kneipp castings against hot flashes, careful cooking while cooking, cupping massages. And how she no longer puts herself under such pressure in everyday life. "It would not have hurt so much, but otherwise I would never have had experiences of such depth," she says. "I can be grateful for the illness." Uta has already come a long way. Now she wants to tackle "real" mountains. Since February she is preparing for "Transalp", a project of the Essen Association for Health Sport and Sports Therapy (VGSU). In the middle of September she crosses the Alps with other cancer patients, from Mayrhofen to Bolzano, 52 kilometers, 8000 vertical meters. "I want to feel at home in my body," she says. "There are mountains, you have to get over them, otherwise the path will not continue."
More info ? Appointments in the Clinic for Senology / Breast Center at the clinics Essen-Mitte (www.kliniken-essen-mitte.de/senologie) awards the ambulance on Tel. 0201 / 174-330 03.? The day clinic can be reached by calling 0201 / 174-255 21 (daily 9am to 12pm). ? Tips against side effects of therapy are given by Josef Beuth in his book "Good through cancer therapy" (192 p., 19.99 euros, Trias, 2nd edition, 2011)? The brochure "Breast Cancer - holistic and individual treatment" is available free of charge from the Society for Biological Cancer Defense e. V., Voßstraße 3, 69115 Heidelberg or on the Internet as a file to download.
Cancer medicine perfectly combined
Cancer affects the whole person, say private lecturer Sherko Kümmel (left) and Professor Gustav Dobos.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: Why Do You Combine Conventional Medicine with Complementary Methods in the Treatment of Breast Cancer?
Gustav Dobos: For two reasons: First, because the data is promising, especially in the treatment of side effects. And second, because 80 percent of women in the course of the disease anyway. But a patient can easily become a victim of dubious providers. Then she pays 20 000 euros and harms herself in the worst case. Even with reputable natural remedies she can do a lot wrong.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: How did you know that?
Sherko Kümmel: We are building a database, SenoExpert, which stores all of the currently available scientific knowledge on breast cancer as well as detailed case histories. So we know that, for example, St. John's wort and grapefruit juice affect the effect of chemotherapy unfavorable. There are 270 medications alone that interact with the cancer drug tamoxifen. We always weigh up exactly how naturopathy can be used so that the patient has an advantage.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: How can women benefit from this knowledge that is not being treated in your Essen clinic?
Sherko Caraway: You can come to us anytime and get a second opinion. Or ask your attending physician to contact us.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: What is the special strength of your clinic?
Sherko Kümmel: That the patients are cared for holistically and individually. This is only possible because we offer the complete range of therapies ranging from classical naturopathy to acupuncture, cupping and mind-body medicine. The big danger is that some clinics lure with "Naturopathy", but only a significantly reduced range of treatments, some without medical expertise, has. Thus, patients sometimes receive a therapy, regardless of whether it is useful for them.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: Is there a lack of research in the field of cancer and natural medicine?
Gustav Dobos: If possible, we only apply scientifically proven therapies. But we know more naturopathic methods that have proven positive effects - even in cancer. Unfortunately there is not enough research in this area. We are currently planning a large study with a special breast cancer program.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: What do you say to a patient who does not want conventional medicine?
Gustav Dobos: There are breast cancer tumors in which we have great healing chances with conventional medicine. If a patient has such a tumor, I would find it irresponsible not to try everything to convince her of this therapy. And usually you can do it too.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: Many doctors continue to treat themselves when there is no hope. Then patients often suffer more than without therapy. How do you feel about this?
Sherko Kümmel: The decisive factor is a balance between effect and side effects. The main goal of treatment must be quality of life.
Gustav Dobos: The problem is that many doctors have not learned to deal with this issue. For them, the simplest solution is to give chemotherapy to a patient with three months of life expectancy. Then she is at this time so busy with the side effects that she can not ask the doctor any unpleasant questions. But she does not enjoy life anymore.
Read on "Together against Cancer" by Gustav Dobos and Sherko Kümmel (280 p., 24.95 euros, Zabert Sandmann 2011)
