Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol

Introduction:

The continuous advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer at different stages has resulted in the survival of various cancer patients accounting for many cancer survivors. Cancer survivorship has improved the quality of life of several cancer patients who have lost hope of surviving. The new path toward survivorship in cancer has led to a better understanding of chronic illness. Hence, the ongoing care after cancer treatment has gained more importance in the past decades. 

Apart from the survivorship, where cancer patients are taking more interest in participating in the ongoing survivorship programmes, the various patterns of participation in the wellness programmes have still been found lower in number, implicating the mismatch between the patient’s need and services being provided to them (Geller et al., 2014). The advancement in medical treatment and increased social expectation leads to a more precise understanding of patients’ contemporary views and their support. Hence, there is a need to inform the healthcare centres to review the changing patterns of health needs and service delivery.

The diagnosis of cancer is a sudden and unexpected outcome that harms the lives of the individual. Cancer is known to be the most feared diagnosis, and its result can be traumatic to the individual. The cancer treatments are known to be harsh and further deteriorate daily life activities. Several physical rigours are faced by the cancer patients, along with the occurrence of depression and anxiety that affects the mental health status of the cancer patients due to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. 

The concept of wellness among cancer patients has evolved significantly in providing psychosocial care (Vardy et al., 2019). Also, the World Health Organisation has initiated discussion regarding the merits of wellness, showing association with health care and wellness. Wellness is achieved only when the individuals can fulfil their physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and economic needs; also, individuals should be capable of obtaining role expectations of family, community, and other places of connection. Over the past decades, more people are adopting a cancer diagnostic approach, many of whom are showing long-term side effects, hence making cancer a chronic illness. Hence, management of the long-term impact of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment is initiated by offering service delivery to provide ongoing surveillance and management of cancer while supporting the overall wellness of people living with cancer. 

Several national bodies have recommended the different components of care involved in wellness models or programs (Denlinger et al., 2018). The wellness models for the care of cancer patients have been initiated across the globe to provide different resources to help and support patients undergoing emotional, physical, spiritual, and social trauma (Meluch, 2018). It is recommended that using six dimensions of the Wellness Model is a guide to inclusion in support programs. The six dimensions of wellness include physical, social, occupational, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. The wellness model for care shows variations ranging from dedicated cancer or wellness centres to programs to be integrated into the current practices. 

Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol:

Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol is integrated for cancer patients, their caregivers, and loved ones to help them understand the options and manage their daily routine during cancer diagnosis and treatment. The cancer journey is difficult for the patients and their families, friends and loved ones. The patients and their caregivers need support for healing from this phase of life. Hence, Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol helps the patients and their loved ones to take appropriate care of themselves throughout their cancer journey and improve their quality of life. For this, experienced coaches who have assisted the patients through their diagnosis help other patients provide care and support in their cancer journey. They guide the wellness protocol that is beneficial for their life. 

ZenOnco provides Wellness Coaches responsible for ensuring the appropriate daily activities of the cancer patients and that their day-to-day life is not disrupted by any means. It is integrated by discussing the questions and providing the most authentic information available in the community. Also, some of the significant objectives of the Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol involve:

  • Effective solution to cancer-related confusion
  • Provides unbiased input into all types of treatments, therapies and their impact
  • Ensures daily life runs smoothly for the family
  • Provide free weekly check-ups for monitoring health status and dosage efficiency 24*7 available Wellness coach

Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol provides self-stewardship for the patients and their caregivers. It constitutes professional as well as personal responsibilities in terms of cancer care. In order to ensure high-quality patient and client services, ethical obligations are considered essential for maintaining one’s health and well-being. Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol involves seven dimensions involving integrative medicine, medical treatment, anti-cancer diet, physical fitness, emotional wellness, healing environment and community support. These dimensions require more attention as their avoidance will affect the health of the individual and deteriorate their quality of life and well-being. Hence, following all these seven dimensions, Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol aims to maintain personal harmony with a feeling of authentication. More details of the seven dimensions are discussed below:

1. Integrative Medicines:

Several cancer survivors have experienced the physical, social, and emotional effects of cancer and its treatments for years in later stages of life. The symptoms exist for a longer duration, including fatigue, pain, neuropathy, lymphedema, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, cognitive dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and fear of recurrence (Cutshall et al., 2015). Integrative medicines help enhance the individuals’ physical, emotional, and spiritual health by incorporating additional evidence with informed protocols and conventional therapy. Five domain concepts have been introduced that involve manipulative & body-based methods, mind-body medicine, alternative medical systems, energy therapies, and biologically based therapies. The cancer survivors choose integrative medicine to coping-up with long-term adverse effects and symptoms.

Integrative medicine constitutes natural products involving herbs, botanicals, and mind and body practices. The approach of using integrative medicines among cancer patients has involved several medical clinics and cancer centres in fulfilling the demand of the patients by providing integrative medicines. Patients often use the integrative medicines as per their own will, without any discussion regarding their use with their oncologist, which can be dangerous, mainly for oncology patients, who are particularly frail and may require modified holistic treatments. The oncologist further recommends integrative medicine to determine the patient’s cancer journey. Certain herbs and supplements in integrative medicines interfere with chemotherapy drugs, making them less effective. Hence, considering this, the healthcare professional offers patients safe and appropriate care. 

Many cancer patients use integrative medicines that show efficacy in prevention and treatment, boosting the immune system, improving well-being, and reducing the symptoms of either the disease or disease treatment, such as nausea, insomnia, and pain cancer. Its intake, as the healthcare professional recommends, helps improve the quality of life of cancer patients during chemotherapy instead of increasing the therapeutic efficacy. Also, emotional distress, depression, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, and other symptoms resulting from disease or treatment are mitigated by adhering to the use of integrative medicines. Integrative medicines include some non-biological medicines such as meditation, deep breathing, or acupuncture that show no risk of drug interactions and are further advisable for cancer patients.

The integrative medicines provided by Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol to help the cancer patients are listed below:

MediZen Medical Cannabis: It is produced from the  extract of the sativa plant. It is  commonly used for chemotherapy-induced pain control. It shows efficacy in managing nausea and vomiting associated with cancer-associated treatments. MediZen Medical Cannabis extract also acts as an antitumor agent preventing the spread of cancer. It is also helpful in reducing anxiety and enhancing sleep. This natural extract fights cancer, manages pain, induces sleep & improves appetite. It is highly concentrated, non-diluted extract with CBD:THC ratio of 1:1 and is concentrated paste in syringe, which allows for easy and precise. It is approved manufacturing by FSSAI and AYUSH and trusted by doctors and practitioners worldwide. Its benefits are:

  • Chemopreventive protection
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Natural pain killer
  • Appetite stimulation
  • Sleep regulation
  • Manages chemotherapy side-effects

AyurZen Ayurvedic Medicine: It has been used as an anti cancer remedy due to its in-built anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is unique blend of 10 select Herbal Flowers, Roots, Fruits and Seeds including Catharanthus alba (Flower), Curcuma longa (Root), Ganoderma lucidum (Biomass), Glycine max (Seed), Moringa oleifera (Fruits), Nigella sativa (Seed), Picrorhiza kurroa (Root), Piper cubeba (Seed), Tribulus Terrestris (Fruit), and Withania somnifera (Root). It is a herbal extract to fight cancer contains anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties, boosts immunity, regenerates cells & reduces side effects of chemotherapy. Its benefits are:

  • Anti-inflammation
  • Anti-oxidants
  • Natural pain killer
  • Immunity booster
  • Cell repair
  • Manages chemotherapy side effects

MediZen Grapeseed Extract: It is a natural antioxidant. It eliminates free radicals which are responsible for cancer creation. It is thus useful in treating cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. It also protects from bacterial infections and helps heal wounds. It is combined with proanthocyanidins for better drug interaction and is available in the form of capsules for easy consumption. Its benefits are:

  • Reduces inflammation
  • Immunity booster
  • Cell repair
  • Improves Vitamin C & E levels
  • Maintains blood pressure
  • Manages heart diseases 

MediZen Reishi Mushroom: It is a natural remedy for chronic stress and fatigue. It is universally used for cancer treatment, side effect management of chemotherapy and radiation, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cold sores. It is a natural dietary product to boost immunity, reduce stress & fatigue. Its benefits are:

  • Chemopreventive protection
  • Improve sleeping schedule
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-fatigue
  • Anti-anxiety and depression
  • Natural pain killer

MediZen Curcumin: It is a natural compound found in the Turmeric plant. It has been proven to reduce inflammation, increase antioxidants, reduce pain & regenerate cells. It also helps in blood circulation and improves immunity. Its benefits are:

  • Anti-Inflammation
  • Anti-Oxidants
  • Immunity booster
  • Natural pain killer
  • Anti-anxiety and depression
  • Metabolism regulation
  • Reduces LDL-cholesterol level, glucose and blood pressure

MediZen Green Tea Extract: It has been proven to have anti-free radicals and antioxidant properties. It works on enhancing the immune system function and boosting metabolism. lt has been known to display free radical scavenging activity and protect cells from DNA damage. It also helps reduce cholesterol and make the heart healthy. Its benefits are:

  • Manages heart diseases
  • Manages liver disease
  • Immunity booster
  • Cholesterol reduction
  • Blood pressure control
  • Metabolism regulation

MediZen Milk Thistle: It is a natural nutraceutical to boost the immune system, increase antioxidants, protect the liver, and regenerate cells. Its flowering herb has proven anti-cancer properties.  It helps the body get rid of toxins and promotes healthy cell repair. Its benefits are:

  • Anti-oxidants
  • Cell repair
  • Improves brain function
  • Promotes digestive health
  • Weight loss management
  • Detoxification

2. Medical treatment

Medical treatment is considered necessary as it aims to achieve a cure for any disease allowing the individual to live long. In cancer, if the medical treatment is not effective in curing the disease, then it shows efficacy in reducing the symptoms by reducing the tumor size and slowing down cancer growth. The medical treatment in cancer depends upon various factors such as type of cancer, stage of cancer, the patient’s health and preference as per the patient’s medical condition. The common approaches for medical treatment in cancer include:

  • Surgery: It aims to remove cancer. It is the most common type of treatment. The surgeon is responsible for removing the mass of cancerous cells and nearby tissues. It is mainly done to relieve the side effects caused due to tumor.
  • Chemotherapy: It utilizes drugs which are effective in killing the cancerous cells. The drugs are either given orally or intravenously. Combinations of drugs are given to the patient simultaneously or one after the other.
  • Radiation therapy: It uses x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancerous cells. Cancer cells have the capability of faster growth and proliferation when compared with normal cells in the body. Radiation therapy is capable of damaging cancer cells when compared with normal cells. It prevents the cancer cells from growing and dividing and leads to cell death.
  • Targeted therapy: It utilizes the drugs to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells to other body parts. It causes less harm to normal cells when compared with other treatments.
  • Immunotherapy: It depends upon the body’s capability to fight infection while targetting the immune system. It uses substances made by the body or in a lab to help the immune system work harder or in a more targeted way to fight cancer. It enables the body to get rid of cancer cells.
  • Hormone therapy: It uses hormones to kill cancer cells. Surgery and drugs are used to block natural hormones. It helps slow the growth of cancer cells. The surgery involves the removal of organs that make hormones, such as ovaries or testes. The drugs are given by injection or as pills.
  • Cryoablation: It kills cancer cells with cold treatment. During cryoablation, a thin, wandlike needle (cryoprobe) is inserted through the skin and directly into the cancerous tumor. Gas is pumped into the cryoprobe to freeze the tissue. Then the tissue is allowed to thaw. The freezing and thawing process is repeated several times during the same treatment session to kill the cancer cells.
  • Hyperthermia: It uses heat to damage and kills cancer cells without harming normal cells. The heat is delivered from a machine outside the body or through a needle or probe placed in the tumor.
  • Laser therapy: It uses an arrow, a focused beam of light, to destroy cancer cells. It is often given through a thin, lighted tube inside the body. Thin fibres at the end of the tube direct the light at the cancer cells. Lasers are also used on the skin.
  • Radiofrequency ablation: It utilizes electrical energy to heat cancer cells, resulting in cancer cells’ death. During radiofrequency ablation, a thin needle through the skin or an incision is passed into the cancer tissue. High-frequency energy passes through the needle and causes the surrounding tissue to heat up, killing the nearby cells.

3. Anti-cancer diet:

The intake of a diet based on plant foods like vegetables, whole grains, beans and fruit and following some basic guidelines have effectively reduced cancer risk. The anticancer diet includes a plant-dependent diet that provides fibre intake to the body along with other vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants. Dietary interventions have resulted in improved outcomes in cancer treatment. Also, diet interventions have shown efficacy in overcoming the side effects caused by cancer treatment. The anticancer diet consists of high content food of phytochemicals with potent anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. The food is an anticancer diet with the properties capable of blocking precancerous cells from developing into malignant cells by interfering directly with tumour cells and by preventing the generation of an inflammatory microenvironment that would sustain the progression of the tumours. 

Researchers have implicated that the use of natural products has been effective in improving the survival rate of cancer patients. Several countries are adopting the anticancer diet, which consists of food materials of dietary vegetables, medicinal herbs, and their extracts or components to prevent or treat cancer. Anticancer diets have been developed consisting of food products adding positive health benefits (Chen et al., 2012). Anticancer diets provide health benefits beyond essential nutrition, and the foods of anticancer diets are similar to conventional foods and are consumed in the form of a regular diet. The food components of an anticancer diet provide the body with the required amount of vitamins, fats, proteins, carbohydrates. The diet includes ingredients or natural constituents in conventional, fortified, enriched, and enhanced foods. Several naturally occurring compounds are found in food, mainly the antioxidative compounds in plants or their extracts and essential oils, representing potential chemopreventive factors (Sporn & Suh, 2002). Some of the common anticancer foods and nutrients involve flaxseeds, soy, garlic, berries, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, green tea, whole grains, turmeric, leafy green vegetables, grapes, beans, etc.

Dieticians or specialists recommend Anti-cancer dietary guidelines for the prevention of cancer and reduce the risk of cancer. Some of the smart-eating policies as having been discussed below:

  • Limiting the alcohol consumption and intake of foods with folic acid is recommended.
  • Exercise regularly and reduce the intake of fat and sugar in food.
  • Varieties of fruits and vegetables with about 1/2 cup every nine times a day are recommended. One cup of dark green vegetables and one cup of orange fruit and vegetables is recommended.
  • Intake of fish and fish products is recommended two to three times a week while replacing with meats which contain high saturated fats.
  • Intake of beans involving soybean products is essential, which is recommended three times a week to take the place of red meat and as a source of folic acid, fibre, and various phytochemicals.
  • Several servings of whole-grain foods each day are recommended.
  • Substitutes for foods with low calories, fat, and higher nutrients involving fibres should be recommended.
  •  Lean meats and low-fat dairy products and substitute canola and olive oil for butter, lard, and margarine high in trans fats are chosen.

The anti-cancer diet provided by Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol to help the cancer patients is listed below:

Zen Anti Cancer Supplement Kit: It is a unique combination of clinically proven nutraceuticals that have displayed their efficiency in cancer treatment over the years. The individual should ensure to give a fighting chance by incorporating these nutraceuticals in your cancer treatment plan. Its benefits are:

  • Anti-inflammation
  • Anti-oxidants
  • Immunity booster
  • Natural pain killer
  • Anti-anxiety and depression
  • Metabolism regulation

4. Physical Fitness:

Physical fitness is correlated with lowering the cancer risk and improving the survival rate after diagnosis and treatment. The specific doses of exercises are recommended by the experts for the cancer patients to mitigate the cancer-related health outcomes, including fatigue, quality of life, physical function, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Physical activity is concerned with the body’s movement by skeletal muscles, which requires energy expenditure. Therefore, exercise is the classification of physical activity that involves structured, planned and repetitive movement. Exercises have been considered safe and feasible in terms of oncology, and many studies have revealed that it has been effective in improving the patients’ quality of life during and after cancer treatment (Sweegers et al., 2018). The positive aspects of physical fitness include enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength while improving body composition. Also, maintaining physical fitness by doing regular exercises helps in regulation of various side-effects of cancer treatment involving fatigue, nausea and improved psychological condition, and decreasing the anxiety and depression levels. 

Several factors are responsible for the participation of cancer patients in exercise programs. The physical fitness of cancer patients is evolved by developing an exercise intervention that should consider obstacles and preferences of the cancer patients, which enables them to choose the activities as per their preference. Hence, Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol recommends physical fitness to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Some of the activities that contribute to physical fitness are discussed below:

  • Pilates: Pilates exercises are the safe models that contribute to treatment programs for physical fitness. It is mainly the type of mind-body exercise and is considered the fastest-growing fitness method. It helps in strengthening the core muscles, which results in improving spine flexibility and posture. It is mostly recommended for cancer patients and cancer survivors. Mainly light exercises are recommended, which help in improving physical functioning, reducing fatigue and increasing the quality of life among cancer patients. It is undertaken into integrative oncology that involves the combination of modern medicine with other evidence-based complementary therapies like nutrition and exercise. 
  • Yoga: It is another major approach to mind and body that consist of broader techniques effective in harmonizing the body and mind. Yoga is integrated with conventional cancer care that maintains the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being among cancer patients (Pirri, 2011). Yoga practices have shown efficacy in improving the long-term side effects of cancer patients, which are caused either by disease diagnosis or treatment. Its effectiveness has involved several cancer patients participating in integrative based programs. In cancer patients, the integration of yoga fulfils the spiritual needs of patients that are not possible by the use of conventional therapy such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and hence is known as an adjuvant with other treatments. Yoga shows efficacy in reducing stress, depression, and anxiety and further alters the cellular mechanism by integrating genomic alteration and promoting cellular immunity. 
  • Energy therapies: These are the types of biofield therapies involving Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Reiki evolved by the providers in the healthcare system. These therapies have a positive impact on individuals who have been observed with several symptoms concerned with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery (Coakley & Barron, 2012). These therapies are capable of manipulating energy fields that exist and enter the body. Mainly these therapies help in reducing pain and anxiety among cancer patients. These therapies are suitable when compared to cognitive therapies among cancer patients who have experienced cognitive impairment due to cancer.

5. Emotional Wellness:

Cancer patients suffer from psychosocial distress as soon as they are diagnosed with cancer before initiation of the treatment approach. Increasing distress among cancer patients during and after the treatment has resulted in increased vulnerability in the cancer journey of the patients. The after-effects of the treatment, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation in cancer treatment, have been the major reason for deteriorating the mental health of cancer patients. One of the reports has revealed that emotional distress evaluated within three months of cancer diagnosis is considered to be one of the consistent predictors of evolving mental distress persisting for a longer duration (Cook et al., 2018). Hence, emotional distress is completely dependent upon the clinical condition of the patient, along with their health and prognosis. Therefore, there is a need to mitigate the emotional distress among the patients to improve their quality of life and increase their survival rate. 

Cancer patients are resilient, which does not mean that they do not need any support, but they require emotional support from relatives, friends, and caregivers (Siedlecki et al., 2014). Emotional wellness in cancer patients is promoted by helping them in coping up with their current situation by taking consideration from doctors, nurses, and allied health staff. The healthcare treatment team of the patient is one of the important sources of emotional support. The patients value the care being provided to them with empathy and as per their desire. Hence, the psychosocial concerns of the patients are mitigated by the nurses and oncologists, which will help in improving the patient’s well being. 

Emotional wellness is known as an important clinical task. The healthcare team has established supportive relationships with the patient and their families during the complete cancer journey, which has helped in normalizing the behaviour of the patient towards any treatment, calming them in any situation and maintaining continuity towards cancer care. Also, nurses have considered the delivery of emotional care and support to patients and their families, which have helped them in developing a fighting spirit against cancer. Some of the emotional wellness support provided by Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol are discussed below:

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the method of achieving a state of mind that is aware and in control. It helps in reducing stress, improving physical health, and maintaining harmony in life. It is considered an effective pain control method in cancer. Its practice has helped in reducing sleep disorders among cancer patients and survivors. The practice of mindfulness among cancer patients helps them to pay attention to sights, sounds, and sensations to make their minds and body calm and relaxed. It has also evolved the caregivers in responding to the emotional challenges. Several techniques are used for practising mindfulness in cancer patients. It majorly aims to bring the mind to focus on internal or external entities such as sound or hearing the breathing rate within oneself. It is carried out by practising so that the mind can be stabilized instead of being active. 
  • Emotional and Spiritual Wellness: It involves the patients’ choice of gaining peace and comfort, adhering to emotional support from family members, and reducing the fear of death with the help of the healthcare team, social groups, families, volunteers, and religious personnel. It also helps in improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Spiritual care in cancer patients involves body-mind-community-spirit that includes various aspects such as peaceful, holistic, special, hospice, overall nursing care, palliative treatment, death education, etc. Spiritual wellness will add high value to the life of cancer patients, along with achieving peace of mind even during the drastic conditions of the cancer journey. Spiritual well-being in cancer patients reduces symptoms of depression and increases life expectations while bringing positive attitudes to their experiences (Gonzalez et al., 2014). It helps in reducing the symptoms and effective recovery from physical and psychological illness. In biological terms, spiritual well-being optimizes the function of the cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and immune systems. Hence, it provides strength for cancer patients to deal with adverse conditions, uncertainties, and serious events.
  • Guided imagery: These practices help in reducing the cognitive, emotional stress, and fatigue among the cancer patients that is evolved due to the integration of various treatment approaches. It mainly involves the inclusion of motivating sentences, music, and breathing and relaxation training. It is easy, convenient, and not restricted by the activity levels of patients. Guided imagery has helped the cancer patients in relaxing and has been effective in providing relief from the adverse side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and depression. It is effective in improving the overall care for patients. 
  • Mind-body approaches: Mind-body approaches are the practices that have a major impact on the body functioning and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. It mainly enhances the changes in the brain’s evolving neurological effect showing effectiveness in managing chronic stress and understanding the actions of the brain towards well-being and improved health outcomes. It is considered to be one of the most healthy behavioural approaches for cancer patients that helps in the management of stress, improving quality of life, and achieving balance in life. The practices of mind-body approaches help the patients in the management of emotional distress inherited due to their cancer journey. Hence, practising a mind-body technique for 10-20 minutes on a daily basis helps in prolonged life among cancer patients. The healthcare teams are recommending visiting the websites where patients can download and listen to recorded mind-body practices that are usually free, along with attending the local classes. 

6. Healing Environment:

Cancer causes psychological distress among the patients due to its complexities of life-threatening conditions and other adverse events. Hene, there is a need for developing a person-centred healthcare environment for supporting the patients in building their physical and psychological well-being. A healing environment is related to the healthcare environment for cancer patients that helps in establishing therapeutic relationships between professionals and patients depending upon mutual trust, dignity, understanding, and sharing of human experiences. These factors will help in promoting a healing environment that involves care, and degree of patient and family participation, thus promoting satisfaction levels among both patients and the healthcare team. 

The recovery of the patients does not entirely depend upon the medical factors, but it also depends upon the environmental and psychological factors of the patients. Environmental factors play a vital role in the healing process after cancer treatment. Hence, a healing environment is known as a smart investment as it is cost-effective, increases staff efficiency, and reduces the hospital stay of the patient by making the stay less stressful. It is enhanced by the development of a positive environment around the patient that helps them to monitor the healing process from the cancer treatment. The natural healing environment offers positive energy for human psychology that further provides comfort and relaxation for the patient’s mind. Also, the aspect of the healing environment enhances the five human senses in the form of natural elements involving hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste. The hearing senses involve the peaceful sound that helps in lowering the blood pressure and heart rate while developing a comfortable zone that has a positive impact on the immune system. Sense of light helps the patients in providing relaxation to the eyes through scenery, natural light, artwork, and the use of specific colours. Sense of touch evolves the feeling of being able to see, smell, taste and hear. It brings a comfort zone to the patient by reducing the effects of stress. Sense of smell provides a pleasant aroma that is effective in lowering the blood pressure and heart rate that makes the patient feel relaxed and comfortable. Sense of taste is not so effective as it deteriorates the patient’s mental and physical well being in the case when the patient is not able to receive any medication.

7. Community Support:

The cancer diagnosis and treatment have evolved into difficulties in the patient’s life and their close ones. Hence, finding an effective way to heal from such adverse events is being explored while exploring the internal and external resources which would help in dealing with the stressful conditions for longer durations. Community support, in this case, has been considered an important factor that would help in improving the lives of the cancer patients and helping them to follow a path that would be effective in improving their survival in the cancer journey. The community support is capable of fulfilling the patients’ requirements which helps in the development of optimal methods to cope with cancer adverse events. Excessive support in the patient’s life may result in causing negative effects on their daily activities that further integrate the chances of dependency. Hence, optimizing the community support has helped the patients in developing a healthy approach for treatment and recovery. 

The community supports peace, calm, comfort and problem-solving during the post-diagnosis period, which further helps the cancer patients to determine the positive impact on their cancer journey. The support from family members, friends, neighbours, and health professionals is considered the most important factor. Community support is most effective during the treatment process as it traumatizes the patient completely due to the emergence of many side effects, and community support, in this case, provides a positive attitude to the patient to deal with the adverse events. Many healthcare centres integrate community classes that involve cancer patient survivors to share their experiences of their entire cancer journey. It helps in motivating the other cancer patients who are undergoing cancer treatment. 

Another mode of community support is the online networks where patients meet each other through the internet and share information and emotions concerned with their illness. Also, online platforms are provided for cancer patients so that they are able to share their experiences and other information if they need any help regarding the personal aspect of a cancer journey. The cancer patients and survivors talk about their illness and share experiences regarding their living on a daily basis in the form of a story. Several online health communities have developed, which provide various information on cancer and provide emotional support while building cancer communities. Cancer patients participate in such communities, which has shown efficacy in improving their quality of life.

Some of the community supports  provided by Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol are discussed below:

  • Zen Emotional Counselling Protocol: It is integrated for cancer patients and their loved ones. It is a significant step taken to improve the psychological distress of cancer patients. It shows efficacy in improving the quality of life of cancer patients. It reduces stress and promotes mind-body therapies in the form of effective supportive care strategies during and after cancer treatment. The Zen Emotional Counselling Protocol provides 15 sessions with expertise in mind-body medicine for dealing with the emotional distress occured due to cancer diagnosis and treatment among the cancer patients. The coaches focus on mind-body fitness and ensure that the patient and their families are able to set the best step forward. The program also includes a dedicated Cancer Coach for round the clock care.
  • Second opinion: Choosing second opinions facilitates the treatment options for decision-making among the patients who are motivated in conditions when the patients are very uncertain regarding their options or lack confidence in the treatment decision process. The increasing complexities of treatment decision-making have made the second opinion options very important, allowing the patients to gain confidence in their physician’s decision regarding their proposed management plan. There is a need to integrate a second opinion to make patients aware of the option of seeking a second opinion in case of any significant discrepancies. When patients delay or avoid deciding on a treatment course, second opinions help reassure and expedite the treatment. Hence, this makes the patients emotionally strong while motivating them to deal with any situation during their cancer journey.

Benefits of Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol:

Zen Well Protocol fulfils the optimal health needs of the cancer patients with identification of  having the potential to realize their fullest ability in the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and economic sense, and being able to fulfil roles to family, community, place of worship, workplace. It focuses on physical, social (connections to health professionals, information and environmental), and occupational dimensions (including financial). These requirements are desired by the cancer patients and their loved ones for maintaining optimal state of health. Some of the major benefits of Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol includes:

  • Eliminates any type of confusion regarding cancer
  • Provides unbiased inputs to the patients
  • Provides verified information to the patients
  • Monitor the daily routine of the patients
  • Enhances the mental strength
  • Provides community support

Features of Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol:

The important features of Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol involves:

  • Personalized coach
  • Cancer coach
  • Support
  • Comprehensive information
  • Round-the-clock-care
  • Detailed

Zen Integrative Oncology Wellness Protocol Usage Guidelines

  • We shall arrange for a 24*7 Wellness Coach who would be your guide through this journey against cancer for 1 month, post which you can choose to renew the service.
  • Our coach will be present to solve all your doubts related to your diagnosis and treatments available in the medical world.
  • You will be provided a detailed plan to regulate daily activities for yourself and your family.
  • They would also connect you to patients and survivors with similar profiles in our community and help with financial guidance.

References

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