The Balance of Spiritual and Nutritional Needs Improves the Well-being of Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background. The high prevalence and incidence of breast cancer in Indonesia remains a disheartening issue, for it has turned out to be a threat for the quality of Indonesian women’s life. Let alone the fact that the patients and their families often lose interest in recognizing the issue of breast cancer, both benign and malignant. Besides, the problem faced by breast cancer patients in determining which kind of diagnosis or best therapy is still overlooked by the patients as well as their family members. This includes their indifference toward the patients’ nutrition during chemotherapy, which now thus must be taken into consideration.
 Purpose. This research aims at observing the needs in general breast cancer patients during their chemotherapy and post-therapy period.
 Methods. This research is the result of qualitative data collected by case study on 17 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Al-Ihsan Hospital, Bandung District and Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung City. These patients have undergone an in-depth interview either on their own or accompanied by a family member.
 Results. The result of the qualitative research is obtained through content analysis observation, showing a shallow understanding about therapy, both generally and specifically, regarding the importance of increasing spiritual support besides nutrition and the escalation of its amount on the patient and their families. In fact, one of the things that support the patient’s immune system during their chemotherapy is the sufficient condition of nutrition. Not only that, the result shows that cancer survivors claim they keep spiritual aspect and a balanced intake of nutrition during and after therapy.
 Conclusion. Therefore, it is necessary to make a formula about spiritual and nutritional needs of breast cancer patients, in the preparatory, momentary, and preempting stage of chemotherapy.

Uncovering Methods and Outcomes of Palliative Care for Geriatric Patients: A Scoping Review

“… 51 Nutritional support for these individuals may improve chemotherapy tolerance and survival. 52 , 53 …”

“…51 Nutritional support for these individuals may improve chemotherapy tolerance and survival. 52,53 Palliative radiotherapy especially for gastric bleeding has been found to increase hemoglobin levels in geriatric patients with gastric bleeding. 28 By targeting the bleeding site with radiotherapy, it can help control the bleeding, reduce symptoms, and improve overall blood parameters.…”