CanHEAL Toolkit Introduction
This integrative cancer care toolkit has been developed to help those recently diagnosed feel less overwhelmed, learn about approaches to support their treatment and overall wellbeing, and gain access to useful resources.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of life’s scariest experiences, and for some might feel isolating and demoralizing. Yet people with cancer are not alone. Nearly 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, which amounts to about 1,806,590 new cancer diagnoses each year.1 As staggering as these numbers may seem, cancer deaths continue to decline. Since 1991, the number of cancer deaths per year in the US has declined by 29%.2 The majority of people diagnosed with cancer will survive beyond 5 years, and most will not die from this disease.
Statistics don’t and shouldn’t define any of us. Maya Angelou puts it most eloquently:
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. Surviving is important, thriving is elegant.”
This toolkit is intended for anyone recently diagnosed with cancer, but can be useful for anyone interested in:
- Learning more about living well with cancer and beyond cancer
- Reducing cancer risks
- Exploring an integrative approach to cancer care and wellness
It includes:
- Suggestions for working with oncology providers, treatment teams and navigating cancer care
- Evidence-based recommendations for
- lifestyle approaches
- emotional and spiritual wellness
- complementary therapies
- environmental exposures
- Resources from reputable organizations with helpful patient education and tips
