By Dr. Rumalie A. Corvera
Family Medicine and Palliative Medicine Specialist
Support and Integrative Services
Asian Cancer Institute, Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Witnessing a loved one suffer from a life-threatening illness is both heart-wrenching and devastating. The emotional toll can be overwhelming, leaving caregivers feeling helpless and exhausted as they absorb the pain and struggles of their loved ones.
Despite these challenges, Filipino families often demonstrate remarkable resilience, courageously caring for their loved ones no matter how demanding the situation. To ensure cancer patients feel supported and cherished, holistic care must be prioritized for both the patients and their families. Access to comprehensive supportive care ensures that no one feels isolated in this journey.
Diagnosis: The initial step towards healing
The battle against cancer begins with diagnosis. At this critical juncture, family members should offer unwavering support, emotional strength, and practical assistance. Patients may need to undergo treatments and clinical trials to explore new therapeutic options.
During this stage, patients and their caregivers often experience a whirlwind of emotions, including fear, anxiety, and sadness. A robust network of emotional support and counseling is essential. Forming an early support team of family, friends, and professionals can significantly enhance the patient's emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Our Counseling and Psycho-Oncology Clinic, provides personalized mental health support for cancer and chronically ill patients, can greatly aid in coping.
Treatment: Confronting the illness head-on
Treatment involves various medical interventions such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Before any treatment begins, patients undergo assessments to determine their fitness for specific treatments and their ability to handle potential side effects.
Proper nutrition and diet are crucial in preparing patients for the physical demands of treatment and maintaining their strength. We provide Pre - and Post-Op Nutrition Support for both patients and caregivers to ensure they receive and maintain the necessary diet before and after treatment.
Outpatient and Inpatient Care: Advancing towards recovery
Post-treatment care is integral to the patient's recovery and long-term health. Regular follow-up check-ups monitor signs of recurrence, manage side effects, and address other health issues. Palliative Care, attends to the serious health related - suffering of patients with serious health conditions. With the goal of quality of life, Palliative Medicine, Pain and Integrative Medicine specialists manage distressing symptoms through both pharmacologic and complementary modalities.
A comprehensive post-treatment care plan supports ongoing healing and offers training and counseling for both patients and caregivers. This plan should include Caregiver Training, Discharge-Transition Planning and Coordination, Respite Care, and Individual-Family Counseling to help families navigate difficult decisions.
Supporting cancer survivors: A lifelong commitment
Supporting cancer survivors extends beyond diagnosis and treatment to encompass their entire recovery journey. A comprehensive supportive care plan is as crucial as medical intervention, ensuring that patients and caregivers receive holistic support. A dedicated support team of family, friends, and professionals enhances the patient's overall well-being and fosters resilience.
Asian Hospital and Medical Center recognizes the importance of a holistic approach to care, significantly improving patient and survivor outcomes. AHMC offers comprehensive care packages, such as the “Pre-habilitation Package” and “Cancer Survivorship Program,” providing cost-effective, whole-person care through proactive and effective treatment plans by a multidisciplinary team. With this support, patients, survivors, and their caregivers never have to feel alone.
To highlight the importance of these services and reach a broader audience, AHMC actively engages in community information campaigns in line with the Department of Health's initiatives. They also host a series of webinars on their official Facebook page to educate the general public.
Learn more about Asian Hospital’s Supportive and Integrative Services here.