Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Has Inner Harmony Wellness Centers ever conducted research studies on breast cancer? What does the research say causes breast cancer? Absolutely! For 20 years, Inner Harmony Wellness Centers has worked closely with patients/clients, government, healthcare institutions, physicians and leading organizations to understand and eliminate the disease. We are now here on the island.
Funded by the U.S. Government agency known as Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, Inner Harmony Wellness Centers received funding to conduct research in the field of Integrative Medicine, otherwise known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), for women struggling with breast cancer. The CDC is the leading national public health institute of the United States. Inner Harmony was tasked by the government to develop the New Beginnings Cancer Care Program to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients. Our team designed an Integrative Approach to reduce symptoms associated with breast cancer; prevent or reduce side effects of medications, such as steroids and chemotherapy/radiotherapy; and enhance quality of life.
Our research objectives were to increase physical, emotional and functional well-being. Our pilot program sought to elevate energy levels, reduce nausea, pain and side effects of treatment and research our findings and report our results. We developed a mind-body skills program and combined it with therapeutic massage to reduce anxiety, pain, anger and depression as well as reduce stress levels. Prior research studies showed how longer term effects of therapeutic massage included increased urinary dopamine, serotonin values, NK cell number, and lymphocytes.
Our clinical protocol and study included approximately 50 women who participated in our program weekly or bi/weekly for six months. Our findings and results were extremely positive. Quality of life was measured pre-, mid-, and post-program. The women would meet weekly for stress reduction and massage and the ability to relax the body and mind was taught as well as the importance of self-care. Additionally, the group support was invaluable in learning personal coping skills.
Over the last 20 years, we have also done clinical research for the American Cancer Society as well as the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Our work focuses on health education, nutrition and lifestyle. We do not diagnose or treat disease.
Additionally, we worked closely with government and were instrumental in launching within the National Institute of Health (NIH), a division called the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). The mission is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and integrative interventions and to provide the public with research-based information to guide healthcare decision making.
Cancer as a symptom
Among women with breast cancer, the rate of CAM use is up to 75%. The “waiting list” practice at our wellness center here on island has people coming from all over the Caribbean and Europe for adjunctive natural approach to health, healing and disease. Research shows that the most common reason people used complementary or natural medicine was “to assist the body’s natural forces to heal.” Studies suggest that almost 50% of the population utilize CAM as part of their integrative approach to health, healing and disease.
Integrative Medicine, a field I have helped birth through research and practice in the U.S., refers to a medical approach to health that includes a multitude of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices and products not generally considered part of conventional medicine. CAM methods are now being taught and utilized at such prestigious medical schools and institutions as Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins as well as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Mayo Clinic. Studies show that obesity and genetics contribute to about 30% of the cancers in our species, but the cause of the 70% is still unclear. However, in my search of the medical literature, we are seeing more and more studies connecting cancer to chemical oestrogen exposure, and metabolism and digestive issues related to diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
Xenoestrogens, or chemical estrogens entering the body, increase the amount of oestrogen leading to a phenomenon called “oestrogen dominance.” We ingest these toxins through fruits and vegetables sprayed with pesticides, plastic water bottles and Tupperware, eating from Styrofoam containers in black plastic bags, nail polish, makeup, birth control, bug spray, lotions, cleaning detergents, chlorine and eating from bags, boxes and cans, hair spray and antiperspirant – just to name a few. The research shows how these toxins are not biodegradable, do not exit the body easily and often deposit in the lymph nodes near the breast area.
Wellness as a way of life
Lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, integrative medicine, bush medicine are becoming an integral part of our daily life these days. This is what we offer at Inner Harmony Wellness Centers. As more and more people recognize poor food quality and choices, understand the cancer causing oestrogen-toxic load we ingest, and live a sedentary lifestyle...our cancer rates continue to climb. The research is clear on how wellness and self-care leads to prevention. Today, we need to take a personalized approach to the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes each of us need. Come get tested! In my 20 years of practice, we have seen diseases come and go with a natural approach on a regular basis. We are here to educate you, test you for your “exact and personal nutritional needs” and detoxify you of a lifetime of toxins. We only use organic grade 10 neutraceuticals which we have in stock. Our list of testimonials is endless, and cancer could be eradicated if we all took personal responsibility for our health, cleaned up, and made new choices.
