Cancer, the dreaded, demonic word instils fear in each one of us. Cancer as a disease, and malignancy as a pathological condition, is an extremely challenging situation and needs total understanding in all its dimensions. Though there is a lot of research and development in the field of oncology, cancer management remains a great challenge for the modern world. Hence people are looking at other ancient traditional methods for a cure. With the blessings of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar, we have started a Cancer Unit at our Sri Sri Ayurveda Hospital for the holistic management of cancer.
Ayurveda has its own set of terminologies, concepts and unique methods of diagnosis. It is an arduous task to find exact equivalents in modern medical science to match technical terms of Ayurveda. However, closest terminology is envisaged and presented here. Some of the basic principles of Ayurveda are Thridosha (Vaatha, Pittha, Kapha); Saptha Dhathu Rasa namely Raktha (blood), Maamsa (flesh), Medas (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (marrow), Shukra (reproductive fluid), Mala (toxins); Agni, Aama, Srothas, Srotomarga, Rogamarga etc.

Cancer is diagnosed as ARBUDA. It is also referred to as Granthi, Sannipathaja Vyadhi, Aaganthuja Vyadhi, Vishadushta Vyadhi. It is a complex
disorder due to an imbalance in more than one Dosha. Sometimes it is a Vyadhi Sankara (group of diseases or group of symptoms). Mere anti-cancerous drugs may not be useful and sufficient in treating this complex disease. Whatever may be the type of cancer, all modern reports and terminologies should be analysed in Ayurvedic terms. Samprapthi (pathogenesis) should be understood, Nadi Pareeksha should be done and then Chikitsa Sutra (line of treatment) should be devised. The treatment procedure could be either Shodhana also referred to as Panchakarma treatment (detoxification procedure) or Shamana (palliative treatment) or both. Parallelly Marma Chikithsa (in which vital points of the body are worked upon to balance the energy and help remove any blockage in the flow of energy), Meru Chikithsa, Cranio Sacral Therapy can also be resorted to. In Sri Sri Ayurveda Hospital, a very unique ‘Sathvavan Protocol’ is also followed for cancer patients. This includes Natural Sathvik Diet| Yoga Therapy- Specific and Modified Yoga Asanas| Pranayama| Sudarshan Kriya| Meditation| Management of Emotions| Music Therapy| Sound Healing| Study of Self-Introspection Sessions| Relaxing Techniques| Mudra Therapy. This Sathvavan Protocol helps in detoxification of all the systems, reduces stress levels, improves overall immunity of the body, relieves anxiety and depression, enhances brain function (increased mental focus, calmness and recovery from stressful stimuli) and promotes health, wellness and peace of mind. This is a kind of Sathvavajaya Chikithsa (improving will power of the patient) and Daivavyapaashraya Chikithsa (seeking the blessings of the Almighty and Gurus (Masters) and surrendering to them.

Cancer patients who visit our cancer department are classified into the following four groups:
Group I – Fresh case, recently diagnosed without any modern treatment.
Group II – Operated case without chemo/radiation/any other treatment.
Group III – Cancer survivor after standard treatment protocol.
Group IV – Terminal case either with recurrence or with multiple metastasis.
We treat all these four groups of cancer patients with Ayurveda and other holistic therapies. So far, in the past five years, we have treated 1,496 OPD patients and 437 IPD patients.

Cancers like breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, leukaemia (blood cancer), lymphomas and many more are being treated successfully at our Sri Sri Cancer Care Unit. Breast cancer patients are treated with Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatment (detoxification procedure) followed by Paneeya Kshara (a unique Ayurvedic herbal oral alkali preparation) and other Ayurvedic anti cancerous herbo-mineral preparations. With these treatments, the breast tumours of many of our patients have completely regressed (shrunk). NO conventional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation etc. were performed. Many leukaemia (blood cancer), lymphoma, prostate cancer, cervical cancer patients were also treated successfully. Terminally ill stage IV cancer patients are also effectively managed and have been able to improve their quality of life, increase their life span and experience reduced suffering.

Cancer is a complex disease. We cannot manage a disease like cancer simply by giving anti-cancerous drugs! To break its complexity, we have to
understand cancer based on the basic principles of Ayurveda enumerated earlier. Then, after analysing the Samprapti (pathogenesis) according to Ayurveda, we have to resort to Chikitsa Sutra (line of treatment). The Sathvavan Protocol has to be strictly adhered to. With this holistic approach, in accordance with the principles of Ayurveda, the chances of cancer cure is understandably high at the Sri Sri Ayurveda
Hospital.

Pictures depict Vamana therapy (detoxification treatment) being performed on one of our cancer patients.

Articles contributed by Dr. Nisha Manikantan and Dr. Vivek J :

Dr Nisha Manikantan                                                           
BAMS, MD(AM)
Chief Ayurvedic Onco-Consultant,
Sri Sri Cancer Care Unit,                                                               .
Sri Sri Ayurveda Hospital, Bangalore
& Senior International Art of Living Teacher.
Bangalore 560082, India
nisha.manikantan@artofliving.org
+91 9342402302

Dr Vivek J
BAMS, MS (Ayu), DVV, PhD,
Ayurvedic Onco Consultant, Ayurvedic Surgeon,
& Associate Professor.
Department of Shalakhyatantra
Sri Sri Cancer Unit, Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science & Research  Hospital
Bangalore 560082, India
ayurvedabhishak@gmail.com
+919945314963