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Cancer: Proof And A Plan For Healing
by author Sandra Tonn

The Centre for Integrated Healing in Vancouver is changing the paradigm of cancer care. This reality is life saving in many cases, and life changing in most. People deemed dying by conventional medicine’s standards are more alive than they’ve ever been before, and it’s not because they chose complementary medicine over conventional. It’s because they were supported with a new, integrated approach–a bridge between two seemingly separate worlds.

I recently joined a group of people with cancer at the centre for its two-day introductory program to learn about this approach. It was an enlightening and inspiring introduction to a reality in which patients have more to do with their healing than their oncolcogists. Part way through the first day of my attendance, I realized I was sitting in on history in the making.

"The cure for cancer will be a multi-factoral approach," says Hal Gunn, MD, resident physician and co-director of the centre. He, along with alternative cancer therapy pioneer Dr. Roger Rogers, has designed a new model for cancer treatment. According to this evolved perspective, which is based on a whole-person approach to healing, the patient plays a fundamental role in recovery.

Cancer does not develop overnight. Decisions about how to treat it, in the majority of cases, need not be made overnight, either. At the centre, we learned that the foundation of recovery involves a number of elements including emotional connection with others, healthful diet, rest, vitamins, complementary therapies and, yes, conventional medical therapies.

"It’s all an alternative–including surgery," says Philip Wood, integrative bodyworker, counsellor and facilitator of the introductory program.

Many in attendance shared their anger and frustration about experiences with their medical doctors and oncologists. One man, a young lawyer who was obviously suffering from the effects of his cancer, voiced anger at the injustice. He said he had understood from his family doctor that complementary medicine was a waste of time. "No doctor, nurse, the cancer agency, no one told me to seek any outside remedy." The reality of the gap between conventional and complementary cancer treatment became intimately apparent when his own sister, whom he loves dearly, and a doctor, advised against complementary therapies.

The lawyer, along with many in the room, admitted that until recently he thought he couldn’t do anything about his cancer and that his life was in his doctor’s hands. He now considers himself in control and his naturopath as the one who truly sees the big picture, which includes conventional medicine.

Others in attendance reported many unsettling stories and accounts of death sentences. But with a grace that included sincere warmth, caring and professionalism, Dr. Gunn, who spends a noteworthy three hours visiting with patients, defended those in conventional medicine, explaining that they are not trained or experienced in these areas and that the current model for cancer treatment is outdated. He and all the staff at the Centre for Integrated Healing work with the best intentions and open hearts to embrace, include and build ties with the conventional medical world. They speak highly of the support and co-operation they receive from many who are also eager to build the bridge, including the BC Cancer Agency.

Dr. Gunn encouraged all in attendance to step outside the old belief system and look at a new one. "It’s a more human, common-sense approach to cancer care," he says. The old model only treats the tumour. However, the tumour is only a small part of a person. So while chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can play a role, one should treat a person as a whole. "There is growing evidence that the new model is scientifically a more valid model of cancer care." Emotional support, meditation, a healthful diet, exercise, stress reduction and immune enhancement, among many other options, are essential for true healing. A patient may find one or a variety of these options are required for recovery, depending on his or her needs, beliefs and situation.

Source: alive #239, September 2002