What’s New!
Integrative Oncology: A Proven Model for Whole-Person Cancer Care
By Dr. Daniel Vicario, M.D., ABIHM
A Legacy of Innovation, Integrity and Healing
Over the past several months, I have reflected deeply on what it truly takes to create an optimal healing environment in cancer care, one that is clinically rigorous, evidence-informed, deeply compassionate and grounded in integrity. These reflections consistently bring me back to the integrative oncology model we built at the San Diego Cancer Center through the non-profit San Diego Cancer Research Institute (SDCRI).
What we created was not simply an adjunct program, but a fully integrated, state-of-the-art model of whole-person cancer care, one that remains relevant today and deserves to be studied, learned from and adapted globally…
Continue reading on the Letters from Dr. Daniel Vicario page.
Live Panel Discussion
The Energy That Heals September 16th, 11 am PT Film Screening, 12 pm PT. “A feature documentary on biofield science and whole-person healing, following the researchers and practitioners redefining how we heal.” CHI is a non-profit: The ticket for this event is $10.
Watch the trailer here.
Can healthcare become more human, compassionate, and healing?
In this panel discussion, leaders in Integrative Medicine share personal stories, lessons learned, and their vision for the future of Whole-Person Health.
A meaningful conversation about transforming healthcare while honoring the humanity of patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Here is the link for the video: Shaping-the-Future | Videos & Movies on Vimeo
Genomic Oncology
Dr. Mark Adler, co-founder and Institute Director of the San Diego Cancer Research Institute, directs its Genomic Oncology program, devoted to helping patients understand cancer and the rapidly developing approaches to its diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Mark Adler’s Genomic Oncology page explores how advances in molecular biology are changing the way cancer is understood, detected, and treated. Drawing on his experience as a medical oncologist, molecular biologist, researcher, and co-founder of the San Diego Cancer Center and SDCRI, Dr. Adler explains the genetic changes that drive cancer and how those discoveries are leading to more precise approaches to care. Readers will find an introduction to his book Understanding Cancer, along with accessible discussions of genomic profiling, targeted therapies and drug resistance, liquid biopsy technologies using circulating tumor DNA and extracellular vesicles, therapeutic antibodies, CAR-T cell therapy, and emerging research involving cancer stem cells. The page also highlights Dr. Adler’s background in cancer research, patient education, and biotechnology, and provides links to his books, scientific publications, articles, and videos for readers who want to explore these topics in greater depth.
Learn more about Dr. Adler and Genomic Oncology.
Resource Highlights
How to Talk About Grief with Children and Young Adults
When something painful happens- a death, divorce, a significant move or a child’s world changes- the world seems to have been turned upside down. Often, adults are clueless about what to say. They are afraid to make it worse and remain silent. Refusing to say anything doesn’t save children from loss. It leaves them in isolation.
We’ve recently added three new books to the Suggested Reading page:
The Resilience Mindset: How Adversity Can Strengthen Individuals, Teams, and Leaders by Terry Healy. An actionable framework to overcome adversity and create a more fulfilling life.
I Am with You: Love Letters to Cancer Patients by Nancy Novak. An anthology written by and for amazing cancer patients everywhere.
Surviving the Storm: A Workbook for Telling Your Cancer Story by Cheryl Krauter. This is a book for people who need to tell the story of how they’ve been touched by cancer.
Check out those and all the other wonderful books here.
A new section of Resources has been added just for Veterans. We salute our brothers, sisters, and siblings in service, and know that they need support just as much as anyone else. See those links here.
We have added a new resource: Helping Young Hearts Heal: A Guide To Grief Support for Children. Children are often overlooked when a family is grieving over the loss of a loved one. This is an amazing guide to help children of all ages through their loss.
Go to our Resource Page for more.
Dr. Brenner’s Musings
#13 “Wishing”
While we still mourn the passing of our beloved Dr. Paul Brenner, we can still enjoy the beautiful and inspiring words he shared with us over the years.
What happens when we chase what we desperately want, only to discover the cost of getting it? This reflection on The Monkey’s Paw and a real mother’s wish during illness reveals how our obsession with a better future can blind us to the irreplaceable present unfolding right in front of us.
On his personal page is a summary of Dr. Brenner’s professional career.
Expressive Arts Therapy with Alessandra Colfi, Ph.D.
– Wings of Gratitude will be featured at Legends of Science and Surfing August 14 & 15, where groundbreaking science meets legendary surfing, a uniquely San Diego celebration to advance lifesaving cancer research at Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego Health.
https://mcclegends.ucsd.edu/
Attendees will be invited to create their gratitude feathers and together contribute to a new pair of Wings.
– Alessandra has written a new article on “Yoga for Supporting Students with Osteoporosis and Osteopenia”, and we’ve added an article section to the Expressive Arts page.
Check it all out right here!
– Alessandra is now offering a new Gentle Yoga class!
This class is open to all female cancer survivors; there is no fee to participate, but interested participants are asked to complete 2 simple forms before joining in.
Learn more about that class here!
–Need CEs? Consider Healing Through Art: Discover the power of art to heal and transform in this 6-week, online professional development program which Alessandra teaches through CSUSM starting February 26. Earn 24 CE hours.
-There is plenty of evidence that exercise is the most effective lifestyle practice that improves quality of life and outcomes in recovering from cancer and lowering the risk of recurrence. However, many patients hold back for fear of getting hurt and don’t enjoy exercising… In order to support and encourage patients to exercise safely and join low-impact Zumba classes, Alessandra researched and wrote a new article: The Hidden Risks of Holding Back During Exercise
“For a short time, I taught a Zumba class on Zoom, recording in a small studio where I had to keep my movements tight and stay within a limited space to remain visible on camera. After just a couple of weeks, I began experiencing aches all over, especially in my hips and knees. That discomfort ultimately led me to stop teaching the class after a couple of months…” Read on here.
-Take a look at Alessandra’s page for project schedules along with registration information. Have a look here!
Mary’s Reality-Based Nutrition
Each one of us is a unique individual on our own unique path. One size does not fit all when it comes to personal healthcare. Therefore, it is important for us to be our own advocates when it comes to our health. The first step is educating yourself about your disease and the role nutrition plays in treating it. Take a look at my page for resources to help you improve your diet. Mary’s Reality-Based Nutrition
Follow me on my Facebook page for recipes: Check it out here! And you can follow me on Pinterest!
Videos and Talks
Gregg Braden Invitational – CHI The Energy that Heals – This is a recent Zoom conversation regarding CHI Initiative’s upcoming documentary “The Energy that Heals”, and CHI’s “amazing ability to bring together diverse practitioners, thinkers, and actors with the goal of empowering individuals, societies, and humanity to build healthier societies and sustainable stewardship of our planet.”
Dr. Vicarios’s interaction starts at around minute 38. The documentary “The Energy that Heals” is under production. This is the link to CHI’s website with a recent Webinar that explains this exciting documentary project: https://www.chi.is/
