Lesson One: About this course

Introducing your instructor

Welcome to HolisticandComplementaryCareforCancer. My name is Susan Ratliff. For almost thirty years I’ve been learning about different kinds of holistic healthcare, using them for myself, my children, pets, and garden, and with clients. I believe each person needs and deserves a completely individualized path toward health. It’s clear to me that intelligent and careful integration of the many effective modalities available to us is essential—and that is the true definition of holistic. In my practice (and in my own life) I use a combination of nutrition, herbs, homeopathic remedies, lifestyle guidance, and more, addressing physical and emotional/mental aspects all together.

My own experiences both witnessing and surviving this destructive disease—as well as the limitations and unpredictable outcomes of medical treatments—led me to pursue extensive research into the wide world of complementary, alternative, and traditional therapies. Cancer has proliferated in our populations just as it proliferates within our organs; so I was amazed to learn that there are many options for improving our quality of life and our survival which are never mentioned in the mainstream public discourse about cancer. In fact, individuals’ efforts to strengthen their own health and take an active role in healing are often discouraged. It’s up to us to choose our own path, to seek the kind of help we really want, and to be willing to learn and change.

What this course is, and what it offers you

If you know you have cancer and you want to take the best care of yourself that you can, this course can be a starting place or a help along your way. If you do not have cancer, you can use the course to build a lifestyle that protects you and helps you stay healthy. If you are caring for a loved one with cancer, it can help you create a coherent plan for them that you fully understand and can carry out.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I realized several things very quickly, and in this order: First, that even with a strong background in holistic healthcare, I was suddenly faced with so many uncertainties that choosing how to proceed could easily become overwhelming. Second, that learning was my greatest ally; I then immersed myself in researching, exploring, questioning. Third, once I began to find a coherent path forward based on that intensive study, I realized that most people have neither the time to do all of this investigation nor the training to evaluate, interpret, and synthesize it.

I read an article which noted that 55% of people in the United State who have been through cancer treatment regretted not having used more complementary care, and that percentage had risen 15% in just one year. (You will find a link to this article in the “For the curious” section at the end of this lesson.) I could certainly relate to the problem: coping with the diagnosis, the symptoms, the treatment, and the innumerable ways these upset one’s life can consume our full attention. If we do try right away to find holistic help, we face yet another bewilderingly diverse and confusing landscape.

Both cancer and its treatments have effects on every aspect of your health. There are many complementary and holistic therapies which can help protect you and give you a better chance at a positive outcome. But doctors rarely encourage a holistic approach; that is not what they are trained to do. This course bridges that gap. It’s the culmination of my hundreds of hours of researching, analyzing, and distilling the results, as well as years of prior study and personal experience. It will introduce you to many changes you can make by yourself, and other changes for which you should seek further guidance.

You can choose the options that appeal to you, that make sense to you, and that you can afford and access. Ideally, loved ones will join you in making these positive changes. At the end of the course you will find links to research references, and a list of suggested reading, listening, and viewing. You will have a full year of access to the course itself. By the time you finish the lessons, you will be able to confidently find and evaluate research on anything you wish to understand better.

Every chapter discusses a different aspect of holistic self care for cancer. No one will be able to enact all of them. But it is important to internalize the value of the many aspects, and create a plan that address a wide spectrum. I strongly encourage you to make a commitment to incorporate some recommendations from every chapter into your daily life.

I heard a prominent oncologist dismiss complementary care, saying that a choice like drinking green tea would never make a difference in cancer. And it’s true that adding one food or supplement or activity isn’t enough. The point of holistic care is to evolve beyond the ways of living that contributed to life-threatening disease, into new ways of living. It means a thorough rethinking, retooling, and regenerating of our lives. And there is no question, it can absolutely make a difference. It can make all the difference.

What this course is not

This course is not a method. It’s not a set of instructions or a protocol. I am not selling or recommending any particular therapy formulation. I am not a medical doctor and do not give advice about treating disease. What I do offer is information about supporting and restoring healthy function, in any and all aspects of your life. Medical decisions should be made by you, taking into account the advice of your chosen healthcare professionals. This course is not intended to dissuade anyone from accessing conventional medical care; its purpose is to help you make informed choices about the self care you wish to implement for yourself or a loved one, no matter what your decisions are regarding medical treatment.

References

In the lessons many therapies, activites, foods and supplements are reviewed. My intention was to provide enough information that you do not need to dive into the research yourself; however, if you want to, ample links are provided to get you started. The References section contains links to more than 450 carefully selected articles and studies. Research is always evolving and nowhere more so than in cancer research. In accessing the information and links provided, you acknowledge that new information may have come to light since the course was created.

About my approach

Holistic healthcare is not something for which there is an official definition or regulation. While there is strong consensus about what it entails, there are naturally variations in the ways people interpret the term “holistic.” I could not have created this course simply from my study of cancer physiology and treatments. That study built upon my learning and experience over many years, and my study of not only nutrition and healing modalities but anatomy and physiology, biology more generally, history, philosophy, martial arts, and various spiritual and contemplative traditions. My point of view is simply that: my point of view. It’s my sincere and enduring hope that it makes a positive difference for you and the people you care for.

While you will find a great diversity of ideas and therapies discussed in the course, I want to assure you that I have not included modalities or methods for which I didn’t find a sound and scientific basis. When I say “scientific,” I mean: rational, observable, reproducible, carefully studied and well documented. The usual definitions of science do not include common sense; there are reasons for that, but I believe common sense is also a valid and very important measure, so I have drawn attention to its input from time to time.

Why holistic self-care is vitally important

We must recognize the difference between medical treatment and health care. Both are indispensable in most cases of cancer. Medical treatment is to be performed by medical doctors or other qualified medical staff. Health care encompasses far more. There are highly trained alternative and integrative practitioners of many kinds, and there are also dozens of ways that you can influence your health for the better through everyday choices and habits. You can synergistically combine whatever elements you choose from conventional treatment, holistic therapies, food and supplement choices, and other lifestyle elements to live the best possible outcome.

Today, cancer care and medicine in general are slowly (and painfully) entering a massive paradigm shift. But you and I don’t have the time to wait for all the insights and discoveries to become mainstream!

Course structure and flow

The lessons are arranged in the order I believe will be most beneficial for you. Your understanding will grow in an organic, meaningful way if you complete them in this order. It’s important not to rush through them. There are no tests, because I’m not here to try to make you prove anything! I want you to see this course a resource, not a stressor. However, I hope you’ll consider each lesson thoughtfully and make sure you’re comfortable with its main ideas before moving on. Material later in the course will only make sense if you’ve followed the progression of lessons. If possible, try to work through the course together with a friend, partner, or family members, sharing ideas and observations along the way.

The lessons are not long, but they are packed with big ideas and information. Each lesson finishes with a suggested activity. I recommend taking six to eight weeks for the whole course, because health is a deep topic and a new point of view does not take root overnight. Sincerely pondering, reflecting, answering the questions for yourself, and thoughtfully foreseeing the course you wish to take into the future will yield the most important benefits of this course. So take your time! And feel free to revisit the questions and your answers as your awareness expands over the weeks.

Throughout the course you’ll also find “For the curious” features at the end of some of the lessons. These link to articles, videos, or podcasts that relate to something in the lesson. These are optional and are not part of the structure of the course; they open doors for those who’d like to dive deeper or explore intriguing tangents.

I strongly encourage you to find a good quality journal or planner which appeals to you, and keep it with you as you work through the course. There will be points you want to remember, questions you’ll want to investigate. As well, noting how you feel as the days and weeks go by (emotionally as well as physically) is very valuable. In the last lesson, we will revisit your journal when we consider synergy and planning.

Once again, welcome!