Empowering cancer patients to gain new insights into cancer, cope with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis, improve quality of life, and increase life expectancy.
Welcome to Cancer Care BC!
Cancer is a malfunction of the body. Although there are many different types of cancer, and different people react very differently to cancer and to treatments, the body can be healed, as can the tremendous impact of a cancer diagnosis on the mind and spirit.
The fundamental philosophy of Cancer Care BC is that the body contains everything it needs to repair itself, given the right “circumstances”. This is especially true immediately after diagnosis and in the earlier stages of the illness.
This is what Cancer Care BC offers to persons with cancer. Cancer is not a “death sentence” — it can, in many cases, be cured or put on hold (remission).
Cancer Care BC is an organization that came together from two more or less separate directions: medical research conducted at the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto, Canada, and direct personal experience with serious cancer by the OCI primary researcher and by the author of the “Working with Cancer©” program.
Cancer Care BC offers practical coping and healing skills and meaningful support to cancer patients immediately after diagnosis, and during the course of the disease.
The following are a few examples of services offered by Cancer Care BC:
Relaxation techniques
such as: understanding cancer (what it is and what it is not), progressive muscle relaxation exercises, therapeutic- and self-hypnosis, meditation, and goal setting.Immune system enhancement
includes visualization, physical exercises such as Reiki and Capacitar, and suggestions regarding vitamin therapy and several other therapeutic supplements.Control of side effects
of medical treatments, procedures and medications, such as nausea and vomiting, insomnia, lack of energy, lack of appetite and weight loss, and other debilitating results.Practical advice
regarding how to deal effectively with radiation burns, hair loss, sexuality, and other physical changes.How to talk with your doctor
, what questions to ask, how to decide on medical procedures (e.g. surgery, chemo therapy, radiation, and various medications), how to evaluate possible outcomes and side effects of treatments, and where to find reliable information, how to evaluate it, and how decide what treatments to choose.
In addition to these “practical” aspects of how to deal with cancer, there are a number of emotional / psychological aspects that may require special attention. These include:
- anxiety
- depression
- fear
- questions about death and dying
- disturbing images and dreams
- existential questions such as
- “Why me?”
- “Did I inherit this from my parents?”
- “What have I done wrong in my life to deserve this fate?”
- and many more
It is important to understand that there are as many different questions as there are different people with cancer. Some conditions and questions are almost universal - other are highly personal and require personal attention. The ones listed above are only a quick overview of some of the most common questions asked by many cancer patients.
Cancer patients and their family / care givers are invited to contact Cancer Care BC and ask any questions you may have. Cancer Care BC consultations are available in person, by email at Cancer Care BC, or by telephone (see the Contact Us page) Please remember that we do not provide medical information or opinions.
There is no fee for the initial Cancer Care BC consultation. Fees for further sessions are kept at a minimum, and a sliding fee scale is available so that all can access this valuable resource.