A whole-person approach to cancer

While cancer continues to be a major public health concern, one area that has grown in interest is integrated cancer care.

Integrated cancer care focuses on health and healthy lifestyle by engaging people in their own health care through nutrition, exercise and emotional and spiritual support.

Patients improve their quality of life, decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and increase survival.

Interest in integrated cancer care is growing in Canada, as an increasing body of clinical evidence substantiates its effectiveness.

In the cancer community, medical doctors and oncologists are now discussing subjects including integrative oncology and integrating wellness and cancer care.

The research for integrated cancer care has grown significantly and media coverage has expanded.

As an example, vitamin D, exercise, nutrition and other activities that promote health and healing are gaining respect.

Public interest in prevention is also growing as cancer patients educate themselves and engage in healthy lifestyle choices.

I really enjoyed the holistic approach, presented by Dr. Teresa Clarke recently in Kamloops, when she spoke on the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Clarke is director of clinical services at InspireHealth, the country’s only integrated cancer-care centre.

Drugs and medication are not the only way to treat and prevent cancer. Lifestyle is a key component.

Here are 10 tips from InspireHealth to promote health and reduce your risk of cancer and its re-occurrence:

■ Eat a healthy diet.

Put emphasis on eating more fruits and vegetables, which are packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants and fibre.

Choose healthier fats. Limit intake of saturated fat from animal products.

Choose lower-glycemic foods — beans, lentils, whole grains (Check out the book written by me and Cheryl Christian called Low Glycemic Meals in Minutes, available at Kamloops bookstores.)

Consider taking a supermarket tour to learn about healthy eating, too. Call 851-7424 for more information.

■ Take vitamin D.

Lots of research to show vitamin D plays a major factor in preventing cancer. Consider taking a quality nutritional supplement which also contains calcium, as bone health is important, too.

Get some sun to help the body make more vitamin D

■ Relax and laugh.

This decreases the stress hormone cortisol, which has been linked to cell damage.

■ Get screened. This means take advantage of the many medical screening tests available.

■ Exercise regularly. Find something you enjoy and be consistent

■ Don’t smoke.

There are many smoking-prevention programs available. Call the Kamloops Health Unit at 851-7300 for more information.

■ Avoid toxins. Many cleaning products, pesticides are linked to cell damage.

■ Be body aware.

Clarke told her audience that, if something doesn’t seem quite right with your body, you need to have it checked out.

She gave the example of bowel cancer; the sooner you find this out, the better your chances of successful treatment.

■ Share your love. The more you give, the more you receive. A healthy support network really boosts your immune system.

Since 1997, InspireHealth has served more than 4,500 patients, integrating the concept of health into cancer treatment and recovery.

Located in Vancouver, InspireHealth is leading the way through research and an innovative and cost-effective cancer care model.

For more information on InspireHealth, go online to www.inspirehealth.ca.

Laura Kalina is a registered dietitian with

the Interior Health Authority. Her column

appears Sundays. To comment, e-mail

editor@kamloopsthisweek.com.