Cancer Coaches are Health Care Professionals that work to fill a void in cancer prevention, treatment and recovery. Cancer Coaches believe in healing the whole person, not just the disease. Many Cancer Coaches themselves have been through a cancer diagnosis, myself included.
To be honest, I am a Cancer Coach now because I was a cancer patient before. As a cancer patient I incorporated both conventional and complimentary approaches into my treatment plan therefore I have an intimate understanding of how both the allopathic and integrative worlds can work together. And I understand the emotions tied to a cancer diagnosis.
Because of our unique professional backgrounds, each Cancer Coach will have a different spin on their answer to “What is a Cancer Coach?” however we all hold the same core truths.
Here are 5 of them.
Cancer Coaches can help you work through the shock of a diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can often leave people feeling scared, overwhelmed and confused. We spend time talking with you about your disease, understanding your proposed treatment plans and researching relevant topics pertaining to your protocol.
Cancer coaches can prepare you for treatments
Focusing on your health, we work to strengthen your body in preparation for treatment. The healthier you are going in to treatment the greater chance that you will complete treatment and withstand side effects.
Cancer coaches can educate you on complimentary therapies that will help to improve treatment outcomes and mitigate side effects
Understanding the possible side effects of treatments allows us to initiate strategies to help mitigate or avoid them. Acupuncture, meditation and yoga are 3 examples of complimentary therapies that could be employed in situations and are complimentary therapies endorsed by American Society of Clinical Oncology for breast cancer patients. For more information on approved therapies you can read my blog post “Oncologists Endorse Integrative Therapies for Breast Cancer Patients”
Cancer coaches work with you to personalize the nutritional and lifestyle aspects of care relevant to your cancer and through all phases of protocol including treatment, recovery and prevention
Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are widely recognized as key factors for both fighting and preventing cancer. Therefore we work with you to optimize your nutritional plan and to implement healthy lifestyle strategies throughout all aspects of your cancer journey.
Cancer coaches are a vital part of your wellness team
We work to empower you and to motivate you. To give you the tools to become active participants in your own cancer protocols. And to give you the confidence and faith that the path you have chosen is the right one.