Introduction
Human beings are emotional beings, and a diagnosis of lung cancer often has a very severe mental health impact. Besides conventional treatment modalities, psychosocial approaches quickly evolve and delve into the mind. One such program is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. The present article aims to explain this program and how it impacts the lung cancer patient.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung Cancer is the second most common cancer seen in the world. It is not just a condition that impacts the lungs; it has a major impact on every aspect of the patient's life. It is majorly caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the lungs. This could be due to mutations or damage in cells. Their ability to stop unnecessary growth is hampered, leading to a tumor mass. Eventually, tissue fails to function. Lung cancer is when the growth starts in the lungs in the airways or the tiny air sacs. There are several risk factors like smoking, tobacco, genetics, constant exposure to air pollutants and harmful chemicals, and chest radiation therapy. Based on its extent, how far or how deep it has spread, whether involving nodes, lung cancer is staged. The advanced stages of cancer mean the cancer cells have spread across the body to distant organs and cause uncontrolled growth there. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and treated drug therapy, and palliative care. Palliative care includes treatments done in advanced cases only to provide temporary symptomatic relief.
What Is the Role of Stress in Lung Cancer Patients?
Lung cancer patients, as well as their caregivers, experience a higher degree of stress, anxiety, and depression. Failure of the person to adequately respond to their emotions leads to a state of rush, alarm, exhaustion, and, therefore, stress. They find it difficult to cope with it. The fear of what is about to come and the unknown uncertainty accompanying the patients hurt their overall quality of life. This highlights the need for holistic care approaches in these patients. The mindfulness approach is a psychosocial intervention aimed at helping these patients to lessen their depressive symptoms. Mindfulness is defined as being aware and presenting every moment with an open mind, no judgment, and accepting whatever comes the way. It invites individuals to engage with their thoughts and feelings non-reactively.
What Is a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program?
It is an ancient practice that introduces people to be more present in the current moment and aware of their surroundings and feelings without judgment. It is not about deleting the challenges of lung cancer as such, but it helps the patient navigate their journey through the various treatment approaches and recovery.
The mindfulness-based stress reduction program training is an eight-week group coaching in which all participants are invited to practice mindfulness and acceptance. They are used combined with other cancer treatments to help patients have a faster recovery and to be able to handle their lives with families and jobs. The mindfulness-based stress reduction was originally designed by Dr. Jon Kabat Zinn, consisting of eight sessions of two and half hours each, daily homework, and a silent day. Participants are given a compact drive to help with homework. A cookbook is also given with information to read and understand. Various exercises, consisting of simple stretches and postures, are involved. Within their abilities, the patients should be encouraged to practice these exercises. Psycho-education on grief was added. Instructors should be all health professionals and qualified trainers.
What Are the Components of This Program?
The main core of this program is mindful breathing exercises, which strengthen and empower the individual. These exercises remind the individual that the breath is a blessing despite suffering. It is a hot, dynamic practice.
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Standing Still: The first training component tells patients to stand completely still and take time. This helps in relaxation inside.
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Awareness: The training focuses on things that are normally ignored. Thoughts, emotions, and sensations awareness hugely increase.
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Feelings: Patients usually bottle up their feelings. In this training, greater awareness helps the patient recognize feelings and how to react to them. Changes in behavior patterns were also seen.
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Let Go: Rather than staying stuck on negative thoughts, this training encourages people to let go of thoughts that make them feel bad. This helps divert focus and attention to better things and advance toward a better future rather than worrying over the past, which is gone.
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Changing Behavior: Being aware of one's surroundings and feelings helps individuals change their behavior more positively and productively. They can set better priorities and work on improving their communication skills.
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Acceptance: By letting go of their negative emotions and changing behaviors, patients come to terms with the fact that they are indeed ill and their condition is worsening.
What Are the Benefits of This Program?
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Effect on Overall Well-Being: Being mindful positively impacts the whole body, particularly the immune system.
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Reduction in Stress Hormones: They also have shown a reduction in stress-related hormones, improving health. All this further emphasizes the importance of the mind-body connection.
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Complementary Treatment: Though not a replacement for traditional treatment modes, it is a complementary aid in treating lung cancer patients holistically.
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Reduced Depression and Lonely Feeling: Mindfulness, emphasizing care and self-love practice, helps the patient better connect with self and not feel isolated. They learn to embrace their issues with kindness and further help spread joy.
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Support: The feasibility of this program's duration and frequency, combined with easy home assignments, create a unique and supportive environment for the individuals.
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More Focus: The sessions make the patients more focused, aware, and accepting of their situation and teach them to let go without getting stuck.
However, difficulties such as group shyness, fatigue, and physical tiredness necessitate a more personalized approach to ensure effectiveness.
Conclusion
Lung cancer patients face numerous physical and mental challenges regularly. If incorporated, this program can become a beacon of hope when facing adversities. It stands true that there is beauty in this world filled with adversities. In the chaos of lung cancer, the compass of a mindfulness program can strive to be an anchor, helping progress through the journey of self-love and care.
