Experts emphasise holistic care, home-based rehabilitation, and mental health support to help survivors regain strength, confidence, and dignity
Cancer care today extends far beyond surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Survivors often face a long road of physical recovery, emotional healing, and social reintegration. Experts are increasingly emphasising holistic approaches that combine medical treatment with home-based rehabilitation, mental health support, and community engagement helping survivors rebuild strength, restore confidence, and reclaim dignity after cancer.
Understanding the Emotional &Physical Toll
Cancer treatment leaves patients navigating a complex landscape of physical side effects and emotional upheaval.Dr Geeta Kadayaprath, Senior Consultant, Breast Surgical Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, explained that patients often feel isolated in the immediate aftermath of treatment, struggling to process both the disease and the medical interventions they have undergone.
"Patients often feel alone, but when they are surrounded by loved ones, caregivers, and doctors, the journey begins to make sense. It is a story of courage and resilience. Many patients ask if they will ever be normal again. I tell them they will be better than normal,' said Kadayaprath.
Dr Harsha Agarwal, Psycho-Oncologist & Head, Psycho-Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, highlighted the psychological challenges, noting that denial, anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence are common. Patients not only grapple with their own emotions but also witness the anxiety of family members, making the experience deeply social as well as personal. "The first phase is denial. Once patients understand their condition and their role in treatment, they start taking steps forward. Mental health support is essential at every stage," she added.
Humanising Cancer Care
Vishal Lathwal, CEO, Apollo Homecare, emphasised that recovery does not end when a patient leaves the hospital. Home-based care, rehabilitation, and mental health support are equally crucial for restoring physical strength and confidence. "The best care cannot be limited to hospital walls. Home-based rehabilitation, coordinated with oncologists, ensures continuity of care. Patients heal faster in familiar, safe environments, and holistic support builds resilience and confidence," Lathwal noted.
He also highlighted the importance of gender-specific care, noting that more than 50 per cent of cancer patients in India are women, whose post-treatment needs ranging from hormonal changes to mobility and nutrition- must be addressed in both hospital and home-based settings.
The Role Of Nurses In Patient Recovery
Experts underscore that nurses play a frontline role in championing the needs of cancer patients. Bobby Ramesh, Group Director Nursing Excellence, Sarvodaya Healthcare, Faridabad, explained that nurses are often the first to notice physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, and they play a key role in helping patients regain dignity and confidence. "Nurses spend more time with patients than any other professional. They understand preferences, monitor complications, and provide emotional support. By communicating patients' needs to the broader healthcare team, nurses ensure care is holistic, dignified, and personalised, Ramesh remarked.
Addressing Stress Before Diagnosis
Experts believe that stress begins even before cancer is formally diagnosed. Research and studies reveal that 35 per cent of Indian patients experience anxiety and depression before diagnosis, while 30-35 per cent suffer clinical depression at the time of diagnosis (Lancet Oncology, 2022).
Rachna Khanna Singh, Mental Wellness & Relationship Expert, Artemis Hospital; The Mind & Wellness Studio, explained that misinformation, fear, and social stigma exacerbate pre-diagnosis stress. "Patients often encounter more fear than solutions. Counseling should be integrated at the lab or diagnostic stage to help patients process information and take informed next steps," Singh said.
Anchal Sharma, Founder of CanHeal Community, also highlighted the importance of peer support and community engagement in post-treatment recovery stating, "Survivors benefit immensely when they connect with others who have walked the same path. Sharing experiences, challenges, and coping strategies fosters emotional resilience and reduces the feeling of isolation. Mental well-being is strengthened when patients feel part of a supportive network beyond their immediate caregivers."
Life After Cancer
One of the most compelling parts experts opine is survivorship, particularly women experiencing premature menopause after treatment. Kadayaprath noted that chemotherapy and hormonal interventions can trigger physical changes such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone density loss, impacting quality of life and confidence.
"Recovery is not just curing cancer. We need to proactively address menopause, nutrition, bone health, and mental well-being. Solutions exist, but they require structured interventions and proper guidance," Kadayaprath noted.
The industry experts stress mobility and strength as vital components of rehabilitation. Encouraging survivors to rebuild physical strength, even lifting weights or practising resistance training, can improve overall health and mental resilience.
Home-based Rehabilitation
Lathwal outlined key elements of effective home care rehabilitation: physiotherapy, medication adherence, nursing support, speech or swallowing therapy, and lifestyle management. Integrating these services with hospital-based oncologists ensures continuity and allows patients to recover in a familiar environment, which reduces anxiety and improves compliance.
"Multidisciplinary care, anchored through oncologists, ensures that patients are supported physically, emotionally, and socially. This holistic ecosystem is critical for long-term recovery."
Holistic cancer care must extend beyond treatment to include mental, physical, and emotional rehabilitation, home-based support, and proactive management, enabling survivors to regain health, confidence, and dignity. Sharing their perspectives, the experts spoke at a session held during the BW Oncology Summit. The session was moderated by Anchal Sharma, Founder CanHeal Community.