Argument in favor of Holistic Therapy for Lung Cancer Patients Essay

Argument in favor of Holistic Therapy for Lung Cancer Patients - Essay Example The holistic therapy focuses on five aspects of life that contribute to persons’ sense of well being, namely physical, social, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual (St. John, 2009). To have a better understanding of the benefits and advantages of CAM over conventional medicines (specifically chemotherapy), three arguments will be created to support Holistic Therapy. Chemotherapy is a method of treatment wherein anticancer drugs are administered to the bloodstream usually via IV infusion, with some that can be taken by mouth. The treatment not only affects rapidly multiplying cancer cells but also has adverse effects with healthy multiplying cells (Rothenflue, 2010). Focusing on the chemotherapy for lung cancer, the treatment has inherent side effects that can cause temporary as well as permanent damage to the patient. This side effect includes the reduction of healthy blood cells that lead to vulnerability to infections, bruises and bleeding, and the constant feeling of weakness and fatigue. It may also permanently damage the cells in hair roots; even if hair grows back after treatment, the color and texture would be different. The anticancer drug can also harm the cells in the digestive tract that leads to loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Side effects become even worse when radiation therapy is taken at the same period (Rothenflue, 2010). For the first argument, it is evident that conventional medicines are detrimental to the physical and emotional well-being of the patient. The invasive nature of chemotherapy makes holistic therapy more appealing to cancer patients, with current studies indicating that increasing number of cancer patients have undergone at least one alternative treatment. The most common CAM treatment is the use of vitamin and mineral supplements, which is intended to strengthen the patients’ immune system and to