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Olubukola Ayodele: Cancer care should be about healing the whole person

Olubukola Ayodele/LinkedIn

Mar 11, 2025, 16:24

Olubukola Ayodele: Cancer care should be about healing the whole person

Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“As a breast oncologist, I’ve seen firsthand that treating breast cancer is about more than just systemic anticancer therapies, radiation, and surgery. True healing requires a holistic approach, one that acknowledges the physical, emotional, and social dimensions of the disease.

Breast cancer doesn’t just affect the body – it touches every aspect of a woman’s life. From the moment of diagnosis, patients are navigating a whirlwind of emotions, treatment side effects, and life changes. To provide the best care, we must move beyond tumour-focused medicine and consider the whole person.

Personalized Treatment, Not Just Protocols

Every breast cancer case is different. Genomic profiling, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy are revolutionizing treatment, allowing us to tailor therapies based on tumour biology and individual patient factors.

But personalized care isn’t just about drugs – it’s about understanding a patient’s lifestyle, support system, and personal values to help guide treatment decisions.

The Mind-Body Connection: Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

A breast cancer diagnosis can bring anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence. Integrating psychological support, mindfulness, and counseling into treatment plans is just as important as chemotherapy schedules. Social workers, therapists, and support groups play a crucial role in helping patients navigate their emotions.

Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine: Fueling the Body for Recovery

Proper nutrition, physical activity, and stress management can make a significant impact on treatment outcomes and survivorship. While no diet can ‘cure’ cancer, evidence suggests that a less processed and high antioxidant diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce recurrence risk and improve overall well-being.

Integrative Medicine: Complementary Therapies That Support Healing

Many patients explore yoga, massage and meditation to help manage side effects like fatigue, pain, and nausea. Integrative oncology ensures that these therapies are evidence-based and used alongside, not instead of, medical treatments.

The Role of Support Networks: No One Should Face Cancer Alone

Breast cancer can be isolating, but no one should walk this path alone. Peer support groups, patient advocacy networks, and survivorship programs provide emotional strength, practical advice, and a sense of community that is often just as powerful as medicine.

Moving Toward a More Patient-Centered Model of care

The future of breast cancer care is not just about new drugs and cutting-edge treatments – it’s about treating the person, not just the disease. A truly holistic, multidisciplinary approach combines medical excellence with compassionate, individualized care, helping women not just survive but thrive.

Cancer care should be about healing the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.”

Olubukola Ayodele