As more people are being diagnosed with cancer, and at younger ages than ever before, there is a public outcry for natural treatments that can complement, increase the effectiveness, and decrease the side effects of traditional cancer treatment. The Center for Cancer Guidance at The Center for Women's Health was created in response to this need and provides patients (both men and women) with the information required to design their individualized treatment regimen.
Initial Consultation (the first step): This is a visit with the Center's Founder and Director, Joel M. Evans, M.D., and involves a thorough interview discussing the medical history as well as an assessment of the emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a diagnosis of cancer. Laboratory testing specifically useful for cancer patients is also discussed, such as: measuring the effectiveness of the body's ability to rid itself of toxic chemicals, an assessment of antioxidant (anti-cancer compound) levels, discovering which foods stress the immune system, and determining the level of exposure to known cancer causing substances. The strengths, as well as the limitations, of the scientific literature on the different healing traditions and therapeutic modalities will be explained in a way that guides each patient (both men and women) as they decide on the "first steps" of their Integrative Cancer Care Program and define its goals and objectives.
Therapeutic Visits: Visits with specific health professionals for the therapeutic modalities selected during the initial consultation are then scheduled, which may include:
Program Summary: The Center for Cancer Guidance allows patients to be an active participant in their health care; to expand beyond the dynamic where doctors, drugs, radiation or surgery fight the disease. Our caring and compassionate staff is dedicated to addressing each patient's physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Our gifted and credentialed health care providers are committed to offering the most promising "alternative" and "complementary" treatments for cancer, including those that are currently in therapeutic trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. We have always believed that our Program should serve a model for caring for patients with cancer. This belief is becoming a reality as The Center for Cancer Guidance is now being presented at cancer care medical meetings across the United States. On our our website, there is a list of Dr. Evans' upcoming speaking engagements where the Center's work is being presented.
Our Staff: Joel M. Evans, M.D., a Board Certified OB/GYN, is the Founder and Director of The Center for Women's Health, a Holistic Health Center in Darien, CT. A frequent lecturer in Holistic Medicine, Dr. Evans was recently honored as a Founding Diplomate of The American Board of Holistic Medicine, making him the only physician in Connecticut to be Board Certified in Holistic Medicine and OB/GYN. He is on the faculty of the Center for Mind/Body Medicine in Washington D.C., and lectures health professionals at their basic and advanced training programs. Dr. Evans was also an invited guest at the swearing in ceremony of The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. In addition to directing the Integrative Cancer Care Program, Dr. Evans provides comprehensive gynecologic care focused on the specific concerns of women with cancer.
Monique Class, MS, RN, CS, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Holistic Health and the Director of Nursing at the Center for Women's Health. She is certified in imagery by the Psychosynthesis Institute in N.Y.C., and is also on the faculty of The Center for Mind/Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. Ms. Class facilitates Mind/Body Skills Groups and conducts individual imagery sessions here at the CWH.
Henry Dreher is a New York based health and medical writer specializing in mind/body medicine, integrative medicine, integrative cancer therapies, and motivational and spiritual growth. Mr. Dreher's expertise in the research of complimentary and alternative therapies for cancer is nationally recognized. For more information on Mr. Dreher, go to www.henrydreher.com/pages/bio.html.
Initial Consultation (the first step): This is a visit with the Center's Founder and Director, Joel M. Evans, M.D., and involves a thorough interview discussing the medical history as well as an assessment of the emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a diagnosis of cancer. Laboratory testing specifically useful for cancer patients is also discussed, such as: measuring the effectiveness of the body's ability to rid itself of toxic chemicals, an assessment of antioxidant (anti-cancer compound) levels, discovering which foods stress the immune system, and determining the level of exposure to known cancer causing substances. The strengths, as well as the limitations, of the scientific literature on the different healing traditions and therapeutic modalities will be explained in a way that guides each patient (both men and women) as they decide on the "first steps" of their Integrative Cancer Care Program and define its goals and objectives.
Therapeutic Visits: Visits with specific health professionals for the therapeutic modalities selected during the initial consultation are then scheduled, which may include:
- Naturopathic Medicine - The evidenced-based use of nutrition, herbs and supplements that have been shown to increase the effectiveness and decrease the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation. Prevention of recurrence becomes a focus at the completion of conventional cancer treatment.
- Mind/Body Medicine - Utilizing the power of the mind to heal the body. There is a large body of scientific data describing the ability of the mind to affect many aspects of our physiology of special importance to cancer patients, including immune system function, energy levels, and pain control. In addition, The Mind/Body Medicine Program offers support groups and individual counseling in prayer, imagery, hypnosis, stress reduction, conflict resolution and the maintenance of close connection with friends and family; all of which have been shown in the medical literature to improve cancer survival.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine - This healing system has been practiced for over 5000 years, utilizing acupuncture, chi gong, tai chi, diet and herbs. We use the different techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine in many ways to restore the "vitality" that is so often lost with cancer treatment.
- Reflexology and Craniosacral Therapy - Techniques that involve gentle pressure on the feet, hands, head and neck to optimize the flow of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord in order to reduce stress, anxiety, headaches, and nausea.
Program Summary: The Center for Cancer Guidance allows patients to be an active participant in their health care; to expand beyond the dynamic where doctors, drugs, radiation or surgery fight the disease. Our caring and compassionate staff is dedicated to addressing each patient's physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Our gifted and credentialed health care providers are committed to offering the most promising "alternative" and "complementary" treatments for cancer, including those that are currently in therapeutic trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. We have always believed that our Program should serve a model for caring for patients with cancer. This belief is becoming a reality as The Center for Cancer Guidance is now being presented at cancer care medical meetings across the United States. On our our website, there is a list of Dr. Evans' upcoming speaking engagements where the Center's work is being presented.
Our Staff: Joel M. Evans, M.D., a Board Certified OB/GYN, is the Founder and Director of The Center for Women's Health, a Holistic Health Center in Darien, CT. A frequent lecturer in Holistic Medicine, Dr. Evans was recently honored as a Founding Diplomate of The American Board of Holistic Medicine, making him the only physician in Connecticut to be Board Certified in Holistic Medicine and OB/GYN. He is on the faculty of the Center for Mind/Body Medicine in Washington D.C., and lectures health professionals at their basic and advanced training programs. Dr. Evans was also an invited guest at the swearing in ceremony of The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. In addition to directing the Integrative Cancer Care Program, Dr. Evans provides comprehensive gynecologic care focused on the specific concerns of women with cancer.
Monique Class, MS, RN, CS, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Holistic Health and the Director of Nursing at the Center for Women's Health. She is certified in imagery by the Psychosynthesis Institute in N.Y.C., and is also on the faculty of The Center for Mind/Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. Ms. Class facilitates Mind/Body Skills Groups and conducts individual imagery sessions here at the CWH.
Henry Dreher is a New York based health and medical writer specializing in mind/body medicine, integrative medicine, integrative cancer therapies, and motivational and spiritual growth. Mr. Dreher's expertise in the research of complimentary and alternative therapies for cancer is nationally recognized. For more information on Mr. Dreher, go to www.henrydreher.com/pages/bio.html.
