Complementary Approaches

New Beliefs

The San Diego Cancer Center believes in a multidisciplinary approach to wellness. In medical science we have acquired incredible knowledge on how our body, our genes, and our immune system function(s). We work with genetherapy, immunotherapy, anti-angiogenesis and new molecules. The next challenge will be to explore what the human mind itself can do as a strong ‘healing force’ to help overcome cancer.

How can we teach cancer patients to use their own inner strength, spirit, or energy to create changes in the physical body, the tissues and cells? Each person is producing innumerable amounts of chemicals and hormones that can enhance the immune system. This process is capable of changing chemical functions and the production of cells, and may even influence cancer cells.

Studies at Stanford University have shown that patients who participate in support groups lived longer than those who were not assisted by a support group. We know that people who use mind/body approaches feel better, have a better quality of life and frequently live longer. How is this possible? What do these successful people, who were able to beat medical statistics, have in common? What did they do with their bodies? What did they do with their minds?

Weapons of the Spirit

Relaxing the mind and reducing stress are very important. Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that when a person engages in a repetitive prayer, word, sound or phrase, and passively disregards intrusive thoughts, a specific set of physiological changes ensue. There is decreased metabolism, heart rate, rate of breathing, and distinctly slower brainwaves. These changes are the opposite of those induced by stress and have been labeled the Relaxation Response. In conjunction with nutrition, exercise and stress management, the Relaxation Response is an effective therapy in a number of diseases that include the symptoms of cancer.

The San Diego Cancer Center is advocating a wide range of complementary approaches and will set up its own Complementary Healing Center. The center will provide patients with a nurturing environment where they can relax their minds through visualization, meditation, imagery and prayer. Techniques such as yoga, acupuncture, massage-therapy, hypnosis, Thai-Chi etc, can help boost the immune system. All patients and their loved ones are encouraged to actively participate in our support group meetings: the Family Wellness Classes. The center will furthermore serve as an information resource for questions about nutrition, alternative medicine, herbal treatments and supplements.

As no cancer is alike and the patients that need treatment are even more unique, cancer treatment has to become more and more customized. Every patient has his/her own unique balance and therefore needs different amounts of medicine, combinations of supplements and nutrition. The Complementary Healing Center will also study the customs of some ancient cultures and primitive tribes who, by virtue of their nutrition habits, seem to be less at risk for certain types of cancer.

The San Diego Cancer Center will closely cooperate with other Cancer Centers to coordinate the research on these new approaches.