The Healing Toolkit
This is a space for you – the cancer warrior or the caregiver – to empower yourself with knowledge on how to choose the healthiest path best suited to you.
This beautiful poem perfectly describes our intentions. We are not you. You are unique, and so is your cancer. How you choose to treat your illness is personal and we support your decisions. It can be a difficult path to follow when you choose to learn more about this disease, it’s side-effects and all the options you have within the conventional and holistic realm. It is an overwhelming headspace between the well-intentioned advise from anyone who hears you have cancer to your medical team to the unlimited online resources available.
We understand this and hope that you can feel our support in the form of the information that we have gathered. We want to save you time wading through google and help provide clarity when your head is spinning.
Our thoughts are that these tools, chosen to suit whichever path you find yourself on, help you OWN YOUR JOURNEY, whether it’s
* to ease side-effects naturally during conventional treatments * to combine holistic and conventional care in an integrative approach * to work at attaining your optimal health in your survivorship phase with a focus on preventing a return of the cancer
Resources
Visit our Resources Section to navigate your way through our recommended reading, websites & apps, as well as a selection of our TOP TIPS for the most commonly asked questions.
Directory
Visit out Directory Section to find products and service providers in your area who specialise in all things cancer and health related.
An astounding 70% to 90% of cancers are thought to be caused by diet, lifestyle and environmental factors which can be changed by implementing existing evidence-based preventative strategies.
Healthy habits that can really change your life!
Eat at least 2 and a half cups of fruit and vegetables a day (10 servings per day is optimal) – get creative and try new recipes – your body will love you for it
Limit red meat and processed meat – focus more on your fruit and vegetables and limit your animal proteins
Improve your gut health – it is linked to so much more than just digestion – find a good probiotic, increase your fibre intake and include food with live microbes
Exercise at least 30 minutes per day – choose fun activities that don’t make exercise feel like a chore
Learn to read the labels on your body products and house-hold cleaning products – reduce the chemical load of toxins in your environment – they are wreaking havoc on your health
Create healthy sleeping habits – minimum 8 hours each night is so important for your mind & body health
Educate yourself – don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially to doctors in relation to your health – we grow by learning
Eating whole grains instead of white flour – take it a couple of steps further and experiment with different grains such as quinoa and millet, and even try substituting with low carb options
A big NO to alcohol consumption & smoking (sorry, but there’s no way around it, both of these are toxic and deadly)
Eat less sugar and salt – easier said than done but the health benefits are worth it
Drink Water – it’s essentially vital for a healthy immune system – be sure to also have a focus on your water quality too – invest in a water filter if you can
Get outside and get some sun – go barefoot to also get some earthing while you are at it
Prioritise self-care – Give yourself a life audit – actively seek joy and spend time doing things that make your heart happy! This, in turn, will help you de-stress, give you focus, and lead to more connectivity with others
Let’s move together
We have collaborated with some local fitness gurus to offer classes dedicated to cancer warriors – work out with instructors who understand your specific requirements, together with friends who are going through similar journeys.
This disease and it’s treatments can leave a body feeling depleted and fatigued. We can relate to feelings of lack of motivation towards exercise – moving your body could be the last thought on your mind.
We understand your movement may be restricted from surgery. That your body confidence may be at an all-time low. Perhaps you are suffering with your bone health from the effects of chemotherapy or radiation, or your muscles are weakened from inactivity.
Exercising can help you cope better by improving your endurance, your mental well-being, counteract peripheral neuropathy, manage lymphedema and enhance sleep quality. While further research is required we understand that physical activity may also lower the risk of cancer recurrence and extend survival for some types of cancer.
Aqua Aerobics
This low impact exercise is ideal for cancer warriors with the water buoyancy eliminating gravity-induced stress on the muscular and skeletal system – ideal for those suffering with joint pain and allows a greater range of movement while toning and strengthening the muscles. The continual motion also increases the heart rate and boosts cardiovascular and respiratory health. The benefits of hydrostatic pressure are incredibly helpful for those suffering from the discomfort and swelling of lymphedema.
Rebounding
Jumping on a trampoline is low impact exercise which is gentle on your joints and improves the immune system, digestion, oxygen circulation, as well as overall strength and balance. It is thought to positively impact every cell in your body but specifically your lymphatic system which is vitally important to stimulate the movement of your lymphatic fluid and promote detoxification in your body. Rebounding is twice as effective as running without the extra stress on the ankles and knees. The unique motion of rebounding also helps support the thyroid and the adrenals.
Walking
Walking is a great aerobic exercise for cancer warriors – it easy, free, and can be done almost anywhere. It diminishes some of the treatment side effects such as fatigue, anxiety and depression. It can benefit your cardiovascular and respiratory health. Be sure to start off slow and build up your strength and endurance. Walk with a friend or a group to motivate you to stick with the commitment of walking as a regular form of exercise. Sessions of 30 minutes, 3-5 times per week are recommended.
Yoga
Yoga has multiple benefits for a cancer warrior including combating fatigue and improving strength, assisting with an increase in flexibility and range of motion, as well as improving physical funtionality. It has been found that the stress-relieving elements of yoga help with better a quality of sleep, appetite, and pain relief. Yoga is also great for the bones – the gentle weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones in a supportive way.
The Cancer Connection’s Little Library of Love
We have collected a selection of books relating to all things cancer and optimal health for the mind, body & soul.
The act of reading has several therapeutic properties including reduced negativity, hopefulness, empathy and self-awareness.
Knowledge is an empowering way to help you become your own health advocate. Reading about other people’s journeys can also be a lifeline when feeling alone and isolated, and books can provide insight, comfort and information.
This service is open to members of our Sista Support Team and Brutha Support Team.