These Cancer Docs Really Rock
Note: Dr. Nimesh P. Nagarsheth, is a women's cancer surgeon practicing at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, New Jersey. He's also a rock drummer in a new rock band started by six cancer surgeons to raise money and awareness to fight gynecologic cancers. It's called N.E.D., which stands for "no evidence of disease"--a good thing after cancer treatment. We asked him about the healing power music and about N.E.D. He replied:In addition to my day job, I'm also the drummer and percussionist for the rock band N.E.D. The band is made up of 6 gynecologic oncologists from around the country, and under the umbrella of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation is helping to increase cancer awareness through music and the arts.
Although the healing powers of music date back to ancient times, from a practical standpoint the description of music in healing patients was first documented by the Greek philosopher Pythagoras somewhere around the time of 500 B.C. The concept of music therapy was born from his theory that a combination of a healthy diet and music was a key to achieving harmony of the body and soul.
Pythagoras stated "rhythms subsist within the mind, and the mind exerts a powerful influence over the health of the body." This concept has provided caregivers and artists the inspiration to explore the healing powers of music throughout the ages.
Today, music therapy has come far, and is now recognized as an independent and freestanding form of healing. Thousands of well-conducted medical research studies have been published describing the healing powers of music. These studies have provided strong evidence that music triggers physiologic responses that 1) reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and pace of breathing; 2) occupy the neurotransmitters that are used to transmit pain messages to the brain, and thereby decrease the perception of pain; 3) diminish levels of stress, fear, anxiety; and 4) increase feelings of self-worth and ease symptoms of depression. For cancer patients, music therapy has been shown to reduce chemotherapy induced nausea or vomiting, enhance relaxation, diminish pain, and help patients and their families adjust to life with cancer.
In September of 2009, N.E.D. released its debut album and also a companion book entitled Music and Cancer: A Prescription For Healing, which has contributions from all the band members. For more information visit: N.E.D. will be performing live at the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Movement (GCAM) in Washington, D.C. (November 6th, 7th, and 8th) With anticipated attendance from political leaders, advocacy groups, doctors, patients, families and loved ones, the GCAM event represents a major advance in the fight against gynecologic cancers. Join us at this monumental event!
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I think this is great! Having worked for many, many years at a cancer center, the burnout rate is pretty high. Oncology is a high calling but the personal toll can be rough. Having cancer is a tough road, having to TELL people they (or worse, their child) has it is painful. The folks who do this hard work need a way to escape, if only briefly. Good for them!