Window on their health

According to Cancer Research UK, there were 352,197 new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2013. So, the question arises, how can we, as health professionals, best look after and advise these patients before, during and after treatment? Our mouths are the window to the body and it is important we treat the body holistically, not solely the area of cancer that is affected.

‘Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs also affect healthy cells, causing side effects such as feeling sick or an increased risk of infection. Unlike cancer cells these cells usually repair themselves. Most side effects improve when treatment is finished. It is sometimes combined with radiotherapy (chemoradiation).’ – Macmillan.org.uk.