integrated cancer solutions | Grace Gawler Media

Hyperthermia in German and American Clinics – follow on from Sunrise Channel 7 Grace Gawler

The segment on hyperthermia treatment for cancer in Germany on Channel 7’s Sunrise before Christmas 2011, generated a lot interest and enquiry. I will be visiting Germany during the second half of March representing our Institute at a prestigious medical gathering where I will introduce our original “Collaborative Medicine” concept at an oncology Symposium; the theme being: “New capabilities in laboratory diagnostics and individual therapies in cancer treatment”
We are able to attend the symposium as guest of the organisers and gratefully, our air travel and expenses are paid for; helpful for our Gold Coast non profit organisation. During our stay, we will explore various hyperthermia clinics in Germany and plan to bring back a wealth of literature, studies and ideas. If you are wondering about hyperthermia, how it works and how it can help cancer situations, please watch the following short video from Oncotherm – the manufacture of medical hyperthermia units in Europe.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhrQ5uu7z-4&w=420&h=315]

We see this trip to Germany as an opportunity to explore first-hand, several clinics includng the hospital of Prof Alex Herzog and the clinics of Dr Ursula Jacob, and Dr Peter Wolf. All use hyperthermia as a part of a comprehensive cancer treatment program. We will also meet with Prof Thomas Vogl famous for his method of chemotherapy delivery; called chemo-perfusion which is often a partner to hyperthermia treatment, adding to the possibility of successful outcomes.

Hyperthermia is now also used in some hospitals in the USA. Cancer Treatment Centers of America website is now promoting the benefits of hyperthermia in cancer therapy. The following video has excellent information about hyperthermia and as well, there is an inspiring patient story:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF-nm8fi3oo&w=420&h=315]
Breast cancer hyperthermia, is now a leading-edge medical treatment in the USA and is used to heat and destroy or damage cancer cells. A non-invasive therapy, breast cancer hyperthermia works by delivering microwave energy directly to the tumor. By exposing a small area of cancerous breast tissue to high temperatures (about 106 degrees), hyperthermia therapy damages proteins and structures within cells, thereby shrinking breast tumors.

The heat increases blood and oxygen circulation within the breast tumor, helping to make cancer cells more vulnerable to the effects of other treatments, like breast cancer radiation therapy and certain chemotherapy drugs. Thus, hyperthermia is often used in conjunction with one of these other therapies. The radiation oncologist typically uses hyperthermia to treat superficial breast tumors located within a few centimeters from the surface of the body. Hyperthermia is also a promising option if you have advanced or recurrent breast cancer, as the treatment may help to improve your quality of life after breast cancer radiation therapy. To watch a short video about breast cancer hyperthermia- click the link:
http://www.cancercenter.com/breast-cancer/hyperthermia.cfm

The Grace Gawler Institute specialises in preparation, liaison and collaboration with clinics of excellence worldwide so that you can access the best in cancer care. We organise your medical files and dialogue directly with doctors about your treatment plan and quote. All you need to do is arrive at the airport – we ensure you have a friendly face waiting for you at your destination airport. Having had several pioneering surgical procedures myself in a foreign country – I personally appreciate the important journey patients make in order to extend their lives and hopefuly arrest their cancer. Remember also that overseas treatments may not be the magic bullet – there are things you may need to change /attend to in your personal life to lower your risk of recurrence. As well, it is imperative that you have treating oncologist who is prepared to continue treatments or monitor your situation on return to Australia. Support groups after returning can be helpful – we will begin online webinar support groups before June this year – you can log on from anywhere in the world! An announcement will be made on this blog.
All the overseas clinics/hospitals we recommend, practise integrated oncology – they are not alternative medicine practices.
Please contact me for further information at Email: institute@gracegawler.com website www.gracegawlerinstitute.com

SE Queenslanders – Please remember to support our Gold Coast Fundraiser 2nd March at Hope Island – Pre-booking is essential contact or buy tickets on line at the website above.

Steve Jobs case reveals alternative medicine dangers in cancer treatment-Grace Gawler

Biography reveals that Apple’s Steve Jobs refused potentially life-saving surgery on his pancreatic cancer because he felt it was too invasive. Nine months later, he got the operation but it was too late.

The next time you hear of an miraculous natural cancer cure remember the words of the late Carl Sagan – “Exceptional claims require exceptional evidence.” Personally after nearly 4 decades of working in strategies to manage and recover from cancer, I remain surprised and shocked at the numbers of patients refusing surgery or valid treatments only to try some miraculous cure based on anecdotes and with little or no evidence. If patients really understood the nature of cancer and how it behaves and metastasizes (spreads through the body) – I believe they would make different choices. (More on this topic next blog)

Take the example of two patients who 9 years ago were diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer with the same hormonal status and one positive lymph node. One patient went the conventional route – surgery, chemo and a hormone blocking agent – she remains well and vibrant to this day.

: Breast Cancer Cell

The other lady – like Steve Jobs, believed surgery was too invasive so she chose to keep her lump and node after a she received her biopsy result. Rather than booking in for the surgeon, she fled to a well known cancer naturopath who advised to her to fast, juice and take a variety of herbs and supplements as well as other treatments such as Scalar energy. Her treatments cost her a small fortune. Although she had massive tumour development by the time she found me, 7 years on…she believed that the tumours were resolving by simply “coming out” of her body, a theory condoned by the naturopath concerned who also that said all her ‘test’ results were excellent, therefore she must need emotional healing. This lovely lady had more secondary tumours than I had seen in my 4 decades of working in this field.

: Stage 1V breast cancer

She passed away this year after a hellish battle for her life – her final months extended by compassionate conventional medicine. By the time she realised what she had chosen was not working and that she had listened to the wrong people – it was indeed too late. There is a mantra repeated daily in my practice.. “I wish I had come sooner!”
Recently while in conversation with a friend – another most unfortunate story came to light; sadly it is also a story I hear all too often and it has the same tone as Steve Job’s outcome and my above mentioned patient. Continue reading “Steve Jobs case reveals alternative medicine dangers in cancer treatment-Grace Gawler”

Survive and Thrive One Day Intensives – an Antidote to Alternative Medicine – Grace Gawler Institute

What is the best path for cancer patients? The new Grace Gawler Institute’s Survive and Thrive One-Day Intensives are designed to streamline the cancer experience, take away the confusion and replace it with confidence by learning the “How Tos” of being a successful patient. Being a Successful patient is not always about conquering cancer – sometimes it is living well with cancer while extending life that exudes good quality – while other times it may be an unexpected remission or partial remission. One thing that experience tells me is that 99% of patients will benefit enormously from the Grace Gawler Institute’s approach.

I believe that with good oncological advice/treatment in combination with support and skilled psycho-oncology, that patients give themselves the best chance. With modern advances in cancer medicine – the longer you live with it and manage it, the greater the chance of a new breakthrough treatment. For example, if you did not see last Monday’s Australian Story – I recommend you view this inspiring documentary about two Australian scientists and their quest for one of medicine’s holy grails – finding a way to treat cancer without the side effects.
http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/fortheholygrail/default.htm

The two scientists epitomise care and compassion in what can appear to be a heartless and mercenary profession. I believe it is essential that we rise above the old negative paradigms of conspiracies about research and ‘big bad Pharma’ and embrace the true holistic model of medicine. It is hard to imagine where we would all be without modern medicines assistance. This is true complementary medicine and in the true sense of the word; it is holistic medicine. To not include conventional medicine as a part of a holistic medicine model (i.e. truly treating the whole person) is quite ludicrous in 2011. Body, mind, emotion and spirit all need attention. If a cancer is ravaging the body – doesn’t it make sense to treat the body and all its compartments and psychology by the best means possible? Continue reading “Survive and Thrive One Day Intensives – an Antidote to Alternative Medicine – Grace Gawler Institute”

Grace Gawler Grace Gawler Institute – why alternative medicine is often not enough in cancer treatment.

Part one of Understanding Cancer:
A key function of the Grace Gawler Institute is education about cancer. Being a veteran – I have seen a lot during my 35 years of working with cancer patients. Most cancer patients I see in my practice have foregone conventional therapy for what appears to be the more logical solution of natural remedies. Some choose not to have surgery and go totally natural while others have their initial surgery and refuse further treatments or future diagnostic monitoring. Surely our bodies know what to do – the theory being that if we can just get our bodies nourished by a flood of good food, juices and doses of mega supplements – that it will fix the multitude of dietary and lifestyle sins we have committed in the immediate past and the damage passed on to us via genes and damaged DNA – add to that mix the environmental pollutants of the present. Believe me – it is not that simple!

I was raised believing that good food and a healthy lifestyle can prevent certain illnesses and I believe that is a possibility; however times have changed and so has the environment we live in. We are often exposed to hundreds – maybe even thousands of cancer causing substances as we innocently go about our daily lives – it is a cost of the conveniences that we love, the products we use and the 20th and 21st century lifestyles we’ve lived.

Unlike 35 years ago when I began working with cancer patients, many patients who contact me now seem to have had quite reasonable diets; they are disappointed because they had tried in earnest to cancer-proof their lives by becoming vegetarian, vegan, juicing daily, exercising at the gym going to yoga and practising meditation daily and positive thinking etc. They are surprised to learn that yogis, naturopaths, meditators & natural lifestyle folk can all succumb to cancer. There must be more to this cancer riddle than seems obvious. Continue reading “Grace Gawler Grace Gawler Institute – why alternative medicine is often not enough in cancer treatment.”

Grace Gawler helps patients in the fight against cancer

Author Pip Cornall Director/ Public Officer – The Grace Gawler Institute for Integrated Cancer Solutions talks about Grace Gawler’s approach to helping cancer patients… www.gracegawler.com/institute

The great Samurai tradition of Japan contains lessons valuable to the fight against cancer. Grace Gawler

: Samurai

encourages her patient’s to study and integrate the strategies used by the Samurai.

As in Samurai tradition – a Samurai needs role models who live the ethos – Luckily for her patients – Grace is a living example – one who lives the martial art – it has saved her life and aided those whose life she has touched.

Its 6 am.
Grace is emailing the mother of a 27 year old daughter with liver cancer—her prognosis was poor before coming to see Grace. Medical options in Australia had been exhausted but following requests from the family, Grace has been in dialogue with cancer researchers in Europe and Asia on her behalf—the research is promising…in fact it has great possibilities for this brave young woman.
I was reminded once again what a great fighter Grace is for her patients—like a Samurai she will not give up!

But it’s more—it is not blind persistence—her fight is intelligent, scientific and deeply grounded—a martial arts approach. She patiently works with patient and their family to build their inner core while getting to know the opponent—observe—wait for a weakness to appear—pounce—exploit the weakness—hit hard with accuracy.
Her weapons—a keen mind—focus—up to date knowledge from the best cancer centres in the world—impeccable timing—a belief that success will be attained—a belief so deeply ingrained it’s in her bones—her blood.

As she sits at her desk there’s a glint in her eye—she’s in battle for her patients—she is a Samurai. Grace has many successes on the board beginning as Samurai care giver to Ian Gawler—Australia’s most famous recovered cancer patient—‘experts’ and family had given him no chance. When her son was born deaf and with ‘challenges,’ specialists said—place him in a special care. She became a fierce Samurai mother…his progress a miracle by all accounts.
Grace adopted Samurai strategies during her own 13 year medical battle after a surgical ‘mishap’ caused her to lose most of her colon. Moving mountains, unsupported, she did what it took to become the world’s first bionic colon recipient in Holland in 2003. She’s been a Samurai cancer coach to 13,000 patients over the last three plus decades and is director of her new cancer solutions charity on the Gold Coast.
I’ve been Grace’s 24/7 colleague and close companion for 4 years. In that time, I’ve observed her high level dialogues with oncologists, pharmacologists and the world’s best surgeons and cancer specialists as she fights the Samurai fight for her patient’s best outcome. I have one simple desire… that that all cancer patients and their families have the opportunity and luck to access her Samurai services.

Patients who come to Grace invariably say they wished they’d known about her earlier. To make that happen, what is needed is widespread and massive publicity—will you help me spread the word? Like to know more about Samurai Strategies for Fighting Cancer – Contact www.gracegawler.com/institute or
email institute@gracegawler.com

Grace Gawler – how the uncertainty principle influences patient’s choices in cancer treatments

Examining the ‘Uncertainty Principle’ and How it Negatively Influences Cancer Treatment Choices

As a director of an integrated cancer solutions charity in Queensland, in my years working in the cancer industry, I remain shocked at the large numbers of cancer patients abandoning conventional treatment in favour of alternative therapies. Unfortunately I’ve also seen the terrible results of such choices ranging from emaciation, electrolyte depletion, metabolic exhaustion, insidious spread of cancer and associated pain increase and even death. Why?

More troubling is the number of ‘integrative’medicine GPs who are not; for the patient’s benefit; collaborating or communicating with mainstream doctors, oncologists or other therapists involved in the patients care. I’ve witnessed there to be little or no communication between treating doctors who should all be active members of the team devoted to a patient’s survival. It’s also important that integrative medicine GPs don’t abandon scientific training in favour of promoting excessive supplements – often via affiliations or network marketing initiatives or by promoting dubious diets like Gerson, vegan diets, coffee enemas, various electrical treatments and many other forms of therapy whose evidence is questionable.

Whether a combination of positive placebo and supplements, one very common issue is the plight of cancer patients who are surviving on will power and positive thinking…it appears that strategy has a use by date – they eventually hit a brick wall and deteriorate rapidly when there is a sudden downturn in their condition; often a condition that could have been avoided had they sought proper medical advice. It is a trap for the unwary patient because their general wellbeing may have increased temporarily; but what we see far too often are patients who are entranced by some therapists into denial of their symptoms. They have soldiered on and used up a lot of energy in their struggle for survival. The question begs – What is it in the psyche that encourages cancer patients to completely abandon conventional medicine and play Russian roulette with their lives?

Last week I heard a medical doctor say …”We give people antibiotics for an infection – they don’t have to believe in them in order to have them work- the just do!” He has a point!

At the time I had been thinking about a young man in his late teens, a friend of a friend whose mum implicitly believed in natural medicines, refusing medical advice – he had developed pnuemonia – Without treatment, he died within 4 days.
People believe that there is a certainty in natural medicines because they are natural…they can also believe the same of conventional medicine. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between…

An article in the Guardian newspaper (UK) – We Must Learn to Love Uncertainty and Failure made these points:-

Uncertainty is a central component of what makes science successful.
The idea of something being “scientifically proven” was practically an oxymoron
The very foundation of science is to keep the door open to doubt.
A ‘good scientist’ is never ‘certain’ – adopts different view if better evidence avails.

Perhaps I had discovered an answer to my questions!

Alternative cancer treatments are promoted with compelling certainty and sophistication.
Simultaneously alt/med amplifies the uncertainty of conventional medicines.
Terminology – ‘slash, burn and poison’ – denigrates conventional treatment and sows fear.
Many patients we see in our practice are terrified to stop taking their supplements. It is implied by some natural therapists that if patients stop using alt/med methods they will die or be toxic from their medical treatments—ironic that an industry that claims to promote wellbeing has an emphasis on fear – the negative placebo.
Alt/med has successfully promoted the image of the greedy ‘big pharma’ but little is said about alt/med avarice, pseudo science and deception – illustrated below.

Last week we met a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy while simultaneously spending $1100.00 a week on ‘secret’ alternative treatment – but afraid to give it up because it ‘seemed to be working’ – he didn’t notice anything or feel any better – but was afraid to change what he was doing and had been doing for the past 2 years. I recommended an oncologist – He is now in hospital for emergency drainage of ascites ( fluid accumulation in the abdomen) – 10 litres of fluid has been removed. His naturaopath missed the warning signs. This patient is typical of many, who driven by the fear of their diagnosis, don’t want uncertainty and thus are easily lured by the certainty, the increasingly sophisticated ‘pseudo’ science and ‘aura’ of alternate therapies.

Conclusion: There is an important role for complementary (CAM) therapies in cancer medicine, but the role of alt/med is questionable as is usage of the often touted term ‘evidence-based’ medicine. A recent Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) article disclosed significant errors in a high profile cancer patient recovery story that has influenced the course of alternative, complementary and lifestyle medicine in Australasia for 32 years. It has even influenced peak training bodies such as The Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA). In the light of the MJA disclosures, the question of what is evidence-based integrative medicine must be addressed in the public interest.

Happily excellent working models exist in Singapore and Hong Kong. These set the standard for excellence for integrative, or as I now like to call it, collaborative cancer medicine. The winner is the cancer patient.
References:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jan/15/uncertainty-failure-edge-question

National Cancer Centre, Singapore (NCCS). Strong Team-Based, Evidence-based Practice http://www.nccs.com.sg/medprof/04.htm

Grace Gawler MJA article – Cancer patients at risk from inaccurate clinical reporting in a high-profile alternative treatment story: comments and corrections – Sept 20 2010

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/193_06_200910/letters_200910_fm-1.html

Dr Linda Calabresi – Australian Doctor article
http://insidewww.australiandoctor.com.au/news/58/0c06d258.asp

Ian Gawler response – Australian Doctor article
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/50/0c06d750.asp

Grace Gawler – how the uncertainty principle influences patient's choices in cancer treatments

Examining the ‘Uncertainty Principle’ and How it Negatively Influences Cancer Treatment Choices

An article in the Guardian newspaper (UK) – We Must Learn to Love Uncertainty and Failure made these points:-

Uncertainty is a central component of what makes science successful.
The idea of something being “scientifically proven” was practically an oxymoron
The very foundation of science is to keep the door open to doubt.
A ‘good scientist’ is never ‘certain’ – adopts different view if better evidence avails.

Perhaps I had discovered an answer to my questions!

Alternative cancer treatments are promoted with compelling certainty and sophistication.
Simultaneously alt/med amplifies the uncertainty of conventional medicines.
Terminology – ‘slash, burn and poison’ – denigrates conventional treatment and sows fear.
Many patients we see in our practice are terrified to stop taking their supplements. It is implied by some natural therapists that if patients stop using alt/med methods they will die or be toxic from their medical treatments—ironic that an industry that claims to promote wellbeing has an emphasis on fear – the negative placebo.
Alt/med has successfully promoted the image of the greedy ‘big pharma’ but little is said about alt/med avarice, pseudo science and deception – illustrated below.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jan/15/uncertainty-failure-edge-question

National Cancer Centre, Singapore (NCCS). Strong Team-Based, Evidence-based Practice http://www.nccs.com.sg/medprof/04.htm

Grace Gawler MJA article – Cancer patients at risk from inaccurate clinical reporting in a high-profile alternative treatment story: comments and corrections – Sept 20 2010

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/193_06_200910/letters_200910_fm-1.html

Dr Linda Calabresi – Australian Doctor article
http://insidewww.australiandoctor.com.au/news/58/0c06d258.asp

Ian Gawler response – Australian Doctor article
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/50/0c06d750.asp

Conquering Cancer by Learning From the True Stories of Recovered Patients

Read the latest article on Ezine about how cancer patients can best begin their journey by building resilient foundations. “…..I have worked at the coal-face of cancer for 35 years with client numbers of over 13,000. I have had the privilege of working with one large targeted group of people with cancer who have been willing to share their mistakes and successes as well as their experiences, choices and outcomes. I listened to them and learned a valuable lesson or two….”
Read the entire article at

http://ezinearticles.com/?Conquering-Cancer-by-Learning-From-the-True-Stories-of-Recovered-Patients&id=5710598

More information about Grace: www.gracegawler.com www.gracegawler.com/institute

Conquering Cancer – Survivor’s Secrets: Review – A Cancer Patient’s Companion Guide – Grace Gawler

Bob Ellal was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma four times in the early to mid-nineties (he’s been clear of cancer for 12 years)

Full Review of ‘Conquering Cancer—Survivor’s Secrets’- eBook by Bob Ellal

Bob Ellal was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma four times in the early to mid-nineties (he’s been clear of cancer for 12 years) and is well qualified as a reviewer for this eBook.

Keep it simple. Hard to do when one is first diagnosed with cancer. Anxiety, fear, and stress flood the body, mind and spirit. One is confronted by sheer information overload revolving around one question:

Should I undergo traditional chemotherapy/radiation with its debilitating side effects—or check out the myriad alternative therapies that populate the Internet? What should I do?
One can become paralyzed into not taking action–which wastes valuable time and only adds to the stress of the diagnosis. And ultimately, stress is a killer. What’s the answer?

Grace Gawler Crossroads of recovery — crossroads of recovery

In “Conquering Cancer—Survivor’s Secrets,” Grace Gawler answers this question. Not with “miracle cures” or New Age notions of merely adopting a superficial positive attitude and everything will work out. “Conquering Cancer” takes a cancer patient to the alpha point: getting one’s mind, body and spirit in sync to cope with the diagnosis, and then getting a handle on the strategy for dealing with it. In other words, you have to get your head on straight before you can tackle the greatest challenge of your life.

Through her many years of consulting with over ten thousand cancer patients, she’s observed that there are three stages of acceptance that survivors process through:

The Will to Live. Facing one’s mortality is terrifying. We all want to live—and the first reaction to a cancer diagnosis is to ask “Why me? Did I cause my cancer somehow?” And many never quite get rid of those sentiments—bells gonging in the back of the mind that continuously resurface to drown out one’s resolve.

The survival mechanism kicks in and one declares: “I’m going to beat it by force of will.” The result is often a frenzied schedule of juicing, ingesting supplements and scurrying around to get information on the latest cure—which is mentally and physically exhausting and produces an immense amount of stress. Even people who use meditation and visualization get the attitude that they must “hurry up” to de-stress. Which causes more stress and defeats the purpose?

Letting Go. One comes around to accepting the diagnosis, relaxes, takes a step back and lets go of anxiety and fear. The cancer patient faces his or her emotions, acknowledges them, then proceeds with the business of getting well—but without the anxiety and guilt. Perhaps patients join support groups and begin to relax enough to meditate and visualize not with hell-bent intent, but with awareness. The mind relaxes and the body relaxes, allowing one’s immune system to recalibrate and aid in the recovery process.
Letting Be. At this stage, survivors realize that they are living with cancer; that it is a process they must work through. The striving and “sweating things out” are in the past—one achieves a degree of self-mastery of his or her own life. Not focusing on journey’s end, but each present moment. And ultimately living with cancer frees one from the bounds of the “nutshell of bad dreams” that poisons the present. A new positive attitude emerges that comes from an inner resilience—not an outward and superficial “happy face” that conceals one’s true fearful emotions.

I recommend this book highly as the “alpha point” for anyone diagnosed with cancer. Realizing that cancer survival is a process will help patients “seize the day” and ultimately arrive at a positive omega point

Bob Ellals website is: http://www.bobellal.com/
Purchase your eBook copy of Conquering Cancer – Survivors Secrets at http://www.gracegawler.com/institute

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1y8QhnfKo8]

Conquering Cancer – Survivor's Secrets: Review – A Cancer Patient's Companion Guide – Grace Gawler