The Holistic Approach to Fighting Mesothelioma

Posted at October 27, 2009

The Holistic Approach to Fighting Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a serious and rare cancer that occurs in individuals that have either inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers. The fibers then travel through the body becoming lodged, resulting in cancer typically decades later.

Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many current treatments. The medical community has had difficulty comparing the values and benefits of the different options, and patients are often referred to specialists who work with them and their doctors to determine the best treatment for their case. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.

With such a grim prognosis, mesothelioma patients are not only faced with months of overwhelming medical treatments, but their emotional state becomes fragile as they face the realities of death. Looking for ways to live longer than the typical survival time of people with mesothelioma and to improve their quality of life, many patients are turning to alternative treatments. There are many different types of TCM treaments avaibile.

Paul Kraus and James Rhio O’Connor (“Rhio”), both mesothelioma patients, broke new ground by taking control of their treatments and have led the way towards holistic medicine for mesothelioma cancer.

Discipline and Focus Key to Rhio’s Longevity
Mr. O’Connor, who just passed away in July, 2009, lived 7 ½ years beyond his mesothelioma diagnosis. Told by his oncologist that any form of ‘standard’ treatment, i.e., chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, would make him feel worse, and would not alter his prognosis, Rhio began researching his alternatives.

Following Hippocrates’ wisdom “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” Rhio discovered that the Eastern philosophy to healing (the holistic approach) made sense to him, and he began eagerly researching the therapies that could best work for him. Rhio changed his diet, began taking close to 100 vitamins and supplements daily, practiced mind-body exercises, and turned inward for his strength and to become self-sufficient. Rhio stayed disciplined and focused with his daily regimen and realized a satisfying life.

Finding his course of therapy successful, Rhio penned “They Said Months. I Chose Years! A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story” to provide other mesothelioma patients with the benefit of his research and philosophy. Rhio took the time to talk to newly diagnosed patients, and he shared his thoughts and experience along with a little humor.

Empowerment Moves Paul Kraus To Survive Mesothelioma
Mr. Kraus, still alive today 12 years after his mesothelioma diagnosis, has also not had any of the standard treatments and is enjoying his life in Australia with his family. Kraus wrote “Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient’s Guide,” detailing his journey and holistic approach to healing.

After receiving the shocking news that he had peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma and had less than one year to live, Mr. Kraus was faced with the prospect of major surgery with no cure and with a reduced quality of life. Immediately he began reading everything he could find on the disease as well as researching alternative treatments.

Kraus began making radical lifestyle changes by altering his diet, starting a regimen of intravenous and oral vitamins, herbs, amino acids and other immune boosting therapies and supplements, and focusing on the power of the mind-body connection and positive thinking. After attending a retreat for cancer patients, Kraus embraced the philosophy that one can “accept the diagnosis, but reject the prognosis” to empower himself to take control of the illness and his life.

While stressing that each case of cancer is unique, Kraus is a firm believer that each patient should look for that glimmer of hope and to build on that to reaffirm a focus in life and the reason for wanting to live. Through the process of emotional healing, begins the process of physical healing.

What Is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine is an alternative care approach that treats a patient as a “whole” person as opposed to simply treating the symptoms and illness. Holistic care looks at an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being in an attempt to improve the health and prevent further illness. The concept follows Aristotle’s theory that “the whole is more than the sum of its parts.” As alternitive medicals like Chinese traditional medicine helps.

Holistic practitioners believe that there is no limit to the range of diseases that can be treated, although alternative medicine does not specifically focus on a disease. For example, cancer is not treated; rather the body and immune system are strengthened allowing the body’s defense mechanisms to heal the cancer. The approach works on balancing the body, mind, spirit, and emotions while improving the immune system as the entire being begins functioning smoothly. An illness, disease, or disorder is seen as an imbalance in the body’s systems.

Alternative medicine and holistic practice have been around for centuries, but only relatively recently has the modern medical field begun to accept it and begin to integrate it into the health care system and treatment for patients. Holistic therapies tend to emphasize proper nutrition, avoidance of chemical substances, use of homeopathic remedies, and meditation techniques. Holistic care techniques are non-invasive.

Some of the major holistic therapies include ayurveda, chiropractic, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy, Unani, stress reduction, and reflexology.

Sloan-Kettering Takes Holistic Approach for Mesothelioma Patients
Located in New York, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center. Sloan-Kettering’s website indicates they have “devoted more than a century to patient care as well as to innovative research, making significant contributions to new and better therapies for the treatment of cancer.”

Following the mind-body connection philosophy, MSKCC has employed a program, introduced by psychiatrist Dr.William Breitbart that focuses on helping men and women with a terminal diagnosis of mesothelioma focus on the spiritual, emotional, and psychological aspects of cancer. Psycho-oncology is an effort to help cancer patients learn to live their lives in the time between their diagnosis and eventual death. Participants are encouraged to develop a legacy project to pass on to their friends and loved ones.

While individual and group therapy sessions are regular components of cancer treatment at most cancer centers throughout the United States and the world, Dr. Breitbart’s program has found that meaning-centered psychotherapy can elevate the emotional well-being and reduce the levels of anxiety for the patients.

Cancer centers and other medical facilities abroad, encouraged by the positive results at MSKCC, have begun similar programs. Medical professionals worldwide are recognizing the role of meaning-centered programs in cancer treatment and in mesothelioma therapy.

The Future of Holistic Care
According to the Health Education Alliance for Life and Longevity alternative approaches to health and medicine are among the fastest growing aspects of health care. By the year 2010 at least two-thirds of the U.S. population will use some form of alternative approach to health care.

The Institute for Alternative Futures projects that patients will soon experience the customizing or personalization of health care, integrating several approaches based on the unique needs of each individual. The Institute believes these trends will utilize health care professionals far more effectively, leading to “self-managed care.” Consumers will seek prevention and wellness services that go far beyond what today we consider health care.

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