The Sasang Constitutional Approach for Health Preservation of Cancer Survivors

The Sasang Constitutional Approach for Health Preservation of Cancer Survivors Objectives There is growing interest in the management of cancer survivors due to the increase in long-term survivors. But no literature research focusing on the management of cancer survivors has been done in Sasang Constitutional Medicine despite the superiority in comprehensive management of patients. Therefore, we planned to look into the perspective of health preservation in Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Methods We investigated the 󰡔 Donguisusebowon-Sasangchobongwon( 東醫壽世保元 四象草本卷 ) 󰡕 . We classified the contents which might be applicable to cancer patients. After classifying, we compared the contents with clinical experience and health preservation methods of Western Medicine. there is a difference in the prognosis and management. Cancer patients can be regarded as being in the stages of Noeok( 牢獄 ) and Wiegyeong( 危傾 ). In these stages, patient’s health preservation is important. In order to achieve long-term survival and to prevent disease progression, it is important to maintain requisite energy( 保命之主 ). The attitudes that patient must have are simplicity( 簡約 ), attentiveness( 勤幹 ), vigilance( 警戒 ), knowledgeability( 聞見 ) for keeping one’s own health and fulfilling the social obligations of human relations. The concept of health preservation in Sasang Constitutional Medicine covers the wide range of health. But detailed methods for patients to understand and practice are lacking. Moreover, it is hard for cancer patients to access the information. Therefore, further researches should be done to make the concept more specific and easy to access for cancer patients.