DUARTE, Calif. — A cancer diagnosis is a scary thing for anyone to deal with it, and a local hospital is taking the lead in providing patients with comprehensive care.
The City of Hope in Duarte is part of a new national coalition of over 40 organizations who are aiming to provide more access to cancer care that focuses on the emotional, mental and physical well-being of cancer patients.
Orange County resident Diane Miller, who receives treatment at City of Hope, recalls when she heard some shocking news.
“I was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer,” Miller said. “It was a complete shock. My family and I were devastated.”
After receiving word that she had cancer, Miller was introduced to a mind-body specialist at City of Hope, who suggested using alternate therapy such as accupunture and meditation to help her cope with the anxiety and stress of having lung cancer.
“It was a game changer for me,” Miller said. “Keeping myself calm and out of the fight-or-flight mode allows my immune system to work at its highest potential.”
For Miller, staying strong mentally isn’t just for her health, but for her family. She’s been married for 33 years, and has a son and daughter, who motivate her for the battle of her life.
“My husband and my children are what I am fighting for, I’m fighting for more time with them,” Miller said. “Having the access to the mind-body medicine, the acupuncture and the other modalities in the integrative oncology department at City of Hope are helping me achieve that.”
Dr. Andrew Leitner is the chair of The Department of Supportive Care and Medicine at City of Hope and says the data shows the benefits of mind-body cancer care for patients.
“Collectively, we have years of experience demonstration that patients who have their physical symptoms, their mental health, their practical concerns addressed through every step of the cancer journey have better outcomes,” Leitner said.
According to the American Lung Association, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is 28%. Leitner says with mind-body therapy, we could see that number increase.
“Use of early supportive care in patients who have stage 4 lung cancer was associated with an increase in survival,” he said.
While she continues her fight against lung cancer, Miller is using her faith to stay strong.
“I remind myself of a quote of Pope John Paul II that says never, ever give up,” Miller said. “I never will. I will constantly remember that in the good times and bad.”