Spiritualism to help cancer patients

CHANDIGARH: Spirituality is the new mantra for alleviating the pain and suffering of cancer patients whose days are numbered.
Realising the limitations of merely prescribing medicines and subjecting terminally ill cancer patients to medical care only, physicians are now turning to the essence of spiritualism to prepare patients for the final sleep.
No wonder experts attending the 11th international conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care being hosted by PGI''s radiotherapy department are laying special emphasis on the role of spirituality in young and elderly palliative care patients.
Speaking to Times News Network on the sidelines of the conference on Friday, Prof Saraswathi P Devi, head of palliative care department at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, and president of the Indian Association of Palliative Care, said, "Until recently treatment of cancer revolved around treatment of physical symptoms merely. This however was not enough which paved the way for palliative care. In the process we realised that while it is vital to provide social and psychological support to patients, the role of spirituality in dealing with these patients cannot be overlooked at any cost. The aim is to prepare patients for the inevitable by understanding their inner self and accept death peacefully."
To ease the suffering of patients, doctors are drawing heavily from the spiritual concepts enshrined in different religious faiths.