According to a Research Gate report published in February this year, Background Cancer incidence (the number of new cancer cases in a specific population over a given period, usually a year) rates are rising at an alarming rate in India and are expected to rise by 12% in the next 5 years.

The report goes on to state that cancer, as in other developing nations, has been one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality in India and carries more than a tenth of the worldwide cancer burden.

In India, cancer management poses many complex challenges owing to socio-economic disparities and issues about accessibility and affordability of healthcare. Bridging care gaps, reducing the financial burden of treatment, and helping patients deal with not just the disease itself but the side effects of the treatment are some of the issues that need urgent attention.

“For millions of patients, pain management and carefully calibrated nutritional support are key to better health outcomes and this is where Poly Scientific Ayurveda can play a critical part,” said Dr Ravishankar Polisetty, the pioneer of Poly Scientific Ayurveda which blends holistic care with modern technology.

Chemotherapy is recommended widely to patients as it targets fast-growing cancer cells, slows down cancer growth, and shrinks tumors. “However, it also leads to many side effects including fatigue, weakened immunity, mouth sores, nausea, and hair loss.  Poly Scientific Ayurveda’s holistic recovery techniques and personalized nutritional regimens can support patients through this journey and offer them relief,” said Dr Polisetty.

Explaining how Poly Scientific Ayurveda can offer effective complementary support alongside chemotherapy, Dr Polisetty said, “Poly Scientific Ayurveda can help boost immunity levels with the help of restorative herbs, detoxifying therapies such as Panchakarma dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes that promote overall well-being. It does not target the disease directly as chemotherapy does but strives to balance the doshas, (Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha) of each individual, promotes tissue recovery, and also alleviates the toxicity of aggressive treatments”.

Poly Scientific Ayurveda practitioners also recommend antioxidants like ashwagandha, turmeric, tulsi, and amla for their anti-inflammatory qualities and reiterate the importance of recognizing the mind-body connection when it comes to disease management.  Dr Polisetty explained, “Cancer takes a great toll on mental and emotional health and so meditation and pranayama therapies along with Yoga can help enhance spiritual resilience and relieve debilitating stress”.

He concludes that Poly Scientific Ayurveda’s integrated approach to cancer care will help bridge the treatment gap, aligning well with the global objective of reducing the burden of the disease’s side effects.

About the author- Dr. Ravishankar Polisetty