Alleviate Side Effects of Cancer Treatment with OncoLaser™

Belrose-French's Forest Podiatry Centre is proud to announce our partnership with OncoLaser™, an evidence-based therapeutic system designed to alleviate the side effects of cancer treatment and promote post-operative healing.

Cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, often lead to debilitating side effects, including chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, lymphoedema, surgical scar tissue development, radiation fibrosis, and postural changes. 

OncoLaser™ is a treatment model designed by Kate Perkins, which utilises advanced technology to address these challenges effectively. We now offer this comprehensive care for individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.

OncoLaser™ offers advanced Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using MLS® laser.

What are the Side Effects that can be treated?

1. Oral Mucositis

A painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, commonly in the mouth, which is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Laser therapy can reduce pain, accelerate healing, and decrease the severity and duration of mucositis.

2. Lymphoedema

Swelling, usually in the arms or legs, due to lymphatic system damage or removal of lymph nodes, often seen after surgery or radiation therapy.

Laser Therapy can help reduce swelling and improve lymphatic drainage, alleviating the discomfort associated with lymphedema.

3. Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Nerve damage resulting in pain, tingling, and numbness, typically in the hands and feet, as a result of certain chemotherapy drugs.

Laser Therapy has shown promise in reducing pain and improving nerve function in patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

4. Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS)

Also known as palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, HFS is characterised by redness, swelling, and pain on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, often due to certain chemotherapeutic agents.

Laser Therapy can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote skin healing in affected areas.

5. Radiation Dermatitis

Skin reactions, such as redness, peeling, and soreness, caused by radiation therapy.

Laser Therapy can promote skin healing, reduce inflammation, and decrease pain associated with radiation dermatitis.

6. Musculoskeletal Pain

Sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Laser Therapy can alleviate pain, enhance tissue repair, and reduce inflammation associated with various pain conditions.

7. Post-surgical Recovery

The period following surgery during which patients recuperate and regain optimal health.

Laser Therapy can expedite wound healing, reduce swelling, and alleviate discomfort associated with post-operative recovery.

How MLS Laser Therapy Works

1. Reduces Inflammation

Laser Therapy modulates inflammatory processes by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines.

This helps minimise swelling and discomfort in the post-surgical area, promoting a more comfortable and quicker recovery, which is crucial for cancer patients who often have compromised immune systems.

2. Enhances Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Laser Therapy stimulates cellular activities such as fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, which are essential for wound healing.

Accelerated tissue repair and regeneration lead to faster wound closure and improved quality of healing, with reduced scar formation, enhancing the overall recovery experience for cancer patients.

3. Improves Circulation

Laser Therapy promotes angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) and improves blood flow in the treated area.

Enhanced circulation ensures a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to the healing tissues, which supports faster recovery and helps in managing the side effects of cancer treatments that often impair blood flow.

4. Reduces Pain

Laser Therapy can modulate nerve conduction and reduce the release of pain mediators such as prostaglandins.

Cancer patients experience less post-surgical pain, reducing the need for analgesics and enhancing overall comfort during the healing process.

5. Prevents Infection

Laser Therapy has been shown to have antimicrobial effects, which can help in reducing the risk of infection in the surgical site.

Lower infection rates contribute to smoother and faster recovery, with fewer complications, which is particularly important for cancer patients who are at higher risk of infections.

6. Reduces Oedema

Laser Therapy helps in managing oedema by improving lymphatic drainage and reducing fluid accumulation in the tissues.

Less oedema translates to reduced pressure on healing tissues, less pain, and a more rapid return to normal function, aiding cancer patients in quicker rehabilitation.

7. Enhances Nerve Repair

Laser Therapy promotes the repair of nerve tissues by stimulating the growth of neurites and reducing nerve cell apoptosis.

This is particularly beneficial in surgeries involving nerve damage, aiding in quicker and more effective nerve recovery, which is crucial for maintaining quality of life in cancer patients.