I just attended an amazing three day conference about integrative cancer strategies, put on by Healthy Medicine Academy. It was for doctors, and most of the speakers were doctors. They were mostly MDs who have discovered that medical school didn’t give them tools that are useful in dealing with chronic diseases. They have learned that every patient with the same disease doesn’t necessarily need the same treatment. It is more important to know which patient has the disease than to know which disease the patient has. They all believe that integrative treatment is essential — integrating western medicine with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Each speaker talked about evidence-based strategies that have helped improve the quality and quantity of life for cancer patients. They talked about improving circulation, balancing energy, measuring mitochondria, purpose in life, nutrition, homeopathy, oxygen utilization, herbs, supplements, and much more.
I was impressed with the depth of their knowledge of how the body works, and how cancer works. I know much of what they said went over my head because I don’t have a scientific background, but I still learned a lot.
I was overwhelmed by the end of the three days with all the options of strategies I could use for dealing with my own cancer. Just to get the testing done in each system to see what my body needs would be time-consuming and expensive. Do I start with Chinese medicine, herbs, homeopathy, ozone therapy, etc.? I have to choose what resonates with me.
Every strategy works for someone, and none of them work for everyone. I think there is a relationship between what caused our cancer, and what strategies will effectively address it. The mixture of causes is different for each person, and there is never just one cause. Not everyone who smokes gets cancer. Not everyone who eats an unhealthy diet gets cancer. Not everyone who didn’t express feelings when experiencing a trauma in childhood gets cancer. Yet the evidence is there that each of these factors (and many others) were influential in creating someone’s cancer. Some of the causes mentioned were:
| Stress | Environmental toxins | Pesticides |
| Obesity | Excessive alcohol use | Not expressing emotions |
| Sugar | Poor nutrition | Lack of social connections |
| Smoking | Genetics | Lack of purpose/meaning in life |
| Beliefs | Blood stagnation | Inflammation in the body |
The way I am finding the most effective strategies for myself is to expose myself to information with an open mind and heart, and learn to trust my intuition about my needs. It would be ideal if cancer patients could each work with a practitioner who could guide us through the maze of decisions and options, but most of us either don’t know of such a person, or can’t afford it.
One of the speakers, Dr. Nalini Chilkov, has created a user-friendly website that offers guidance to cancer patients about how we can participate in our own wellness before, during, and after treatment: www.integrativecanceranswers.com. It’s a useful place to start.
As always, I welcome your comments; to reply please click here.
In the Spirit of Healing,
Jan Adrian, MSW
Founder and Executive Director
Dear Jan,
This is so interesting and full of useful information. And, as always, you so skillfully touch on the true emotional experience of cancer. You’re a good writer.
I’m going to that website you mentioned at the end.
Thank you for taking such care with your writing. It means so much to all of us who enjoy reading what’s in your mind and heart.
Cathy
Jan
Thank you so much for this wonderful information. I feel sure that this kind of knowledge paired with a powerful intention to be well, will have you not only survive, but thrive.
I am attending an integrative conference in San Diego in March, 2015. I believe that all you have said in this latest blog is right on.
Thank you!!
I really appreciate your candidness and openness about your life with cancer and willingness to share what you have learned. As a cancer survivor, I want to be as knowledgeable and authentic with people who ask my advice and share the trials of their life journey with cancer. Thanks for a wonderful website, just wish I were closer to take advantage of the class and information sharing sessions on the west coast. May God continue to bless your life with peace and joy.
It sounds like this conference was extremely informative, Jan. Thank you for sharing some of what you learned and for the resource. While reading your post, I was struck by your statement below and felt called to share….
“They talked about improving circulation, balancing energy, measuring mitochondria, purpose in life, nutrition, homeopathy, oxygen utilization, herbs, supplements, and much more.”
As a Laughter Yoga practitioner, oxygen is required to laugh while we tap into the joy of life. While Laughter Yoga is not for everyone, it is accessible to all…breathing in and laughing out…to oxygenate the body. One thing I love to say to those who practice laughter is…let’s get the issues out of our tissues by laughing and letting go.
Thank you for allowing me to share another tool for our healing. In gratitude, Terri
There is a recently published book that I think is a must-read for anyone dealing with cancer, either having it themselves or as a friend or caregiver of someone who has it. The title of the book is “Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds,” by Kelly A. Turner, PhD. It’s by far the best book I’ve read on the subject. It’s available either in hardback or as an ebook. It presents 9 key factors that the author gleaned from interviewing hundreds of both survivors and healers. It is well researched and very readable. (And no, I’m not getting any kick-back for promoting the book!)
Thanks Jan,
What conference was it? Best to you, I really enjoy your newsletters.
Daya
Daya, it was the Fourth Annual Integrative Cancer Medicine Symposium, sponsored by Healthy Medicine Academy, on November 7-10. This year it was in Phoenix, AZ. We mentioned it in our May 2014 issue of Turning Points. You can learn more about it here: http://www.healthymedicineacademy.com
Dr. Chilkov will be a speaker at our 9th conference in West Palm Beach. Come on over.
http://annieappleseedproject.org/cancer-clinics/cancer-therapies-conference
Let folks know about this event if you can/will.
Best,
Ann F.
Thank you for this amazing newsletter. I was out of the state for Thanksgiving week and have only received it now. Thanks for your diligence in getting it to me.
I am forwarding it to my daughters, son and friends for whom I have much love and concern.
Please continue your good work in getting this information to all survivors and families of cancer patients.
Jan, I love reading your reflections and any other article that interests me. I hope you are not working too hard and enjoying life. I work 6 hours a day M-F at Terra Linda High as an aid in special day class. My eighth year. Not sure when I will retire.
I love you and love seeing your picture with a big smile.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
All my love, Pam