Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 . About one in six deaths worldwide is caused by cancer. What can TCM nursing do for cancer patients? The Cancer TCM Nursing Clinic of Guang'anmen Hospital officially began serving cancer patients on July 1, 2021. The following are the nursing techniques (and indications)used in this outpatient clinic:
Herbal external application: radiodermatitis, etc.
Auricular acupoint pressing: pain, insomnia, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, cough, etc.
Herbal application on acupoint (warm and cold compress): pain, lymphedema, etc.
Scraping of hands: numbness of hands and feet.
Intradermal needle treatment: pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting, cough, abdominal distension, diarrhea.
Herbal warm compress: pain, constipation, abdominal distension, diarrhea, fatigue.
Herbal soaking: insomnia, fatigue, numbness of hands and feet.
Herbal teas: Qinxin tea for patients treated with radiotherapy; anti-vomiting tea for patients treated with chemotherapy; and five-flower tea for soothing the liver and relieving depression.
TCM exercises: rehabilitation exercises such as Eight-Section Brocade Exercises, Six-character fomula(exercises), breathing exercise and ear exercise.
Aromatherapy: adjust patients' emotions and mentality.