Managing Side Effects of Cancer Therapy: TCM Doctors and Case Managers Build Personalized Care

Cancer patients often face challenges with side effects and lifestyle adjustments during treatment, sometimes even unsure whether to consume supplements gifted by friends and family. TCM doctors suggest establishing personalized care plans based on individual constitutions to alleviate side effects and improve quality of life. Xu Jin-jia, an attending physician in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Chi Mei Hospital, stated at a health education seminar today that some cancer patients experience fatigue, insomnia, numbness in hands and feet, and dietary confusion during radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Because the attending physician's consultation time is limited, patients sometimes forget the questions they wanted to ask upon entering the clinic, making it impossible to consult fully. Xu explained that while some patients seek TCM treatment, TCM doctors still need to further understand the types of treatment the patient is receiving and related symptoms. Even seemingly minor symptoms are important bases for diagnosis. Therefore, the hospital decided to open a by-appointment joint TCM and Western medicine cancer clinic starting in May, combining Western medicine attending physicians, cancer case managers, and TCM doctors. TCM doctors can study patient needs in advance, and patients can fully consult during the appointment time. Chen Ming-zhen, Director of the Department of Surgery at Chi Mei Hospital, said that patients often ask if they can eat supplements or nutritional products gifted by friends, but the attending physician also needs to check, and sometimes even consult a TCM doctor. After being referred to the joint clinic, TCM doctors can communicate directly with patients, which is more efficient and makes patients feel more at ease. Xu said that TCM cancer care is not a substitute for Western medicine treatment, but acts as the 'best backup,' helping to alleviate and improve side effects. When facing myths in life or information on the internet that is difficult to distinguish between true and false, cancer patients can build personalized care plans through full communication and discussion with doctors, extending to home care, and continuously integrating into daily life to gradually restore physical function and quality of life.