CANCER CARE AT PARK ATTWOOD

Patients with cancer often face a turbulent and demanding journey, finding themselves in need of much support. To receive a cancer diagnosis is a powerful call to review one’s life, and its aims and values. Patients have a great need to contribute positively to their health and recovery, and it is often daunting to know what to do for the best. Park Attwood (which is a not-for-profit organisation) respects mainstream treatments, works in conjunction with them and offers a unique blend of complementary treatments based on anthroposophic medicine. A range of therapies is available via residential treatment programmes and/or out-patient services. This approach is also available in six NHS primary care settings in the UK.

Park Attwood offers a varied, broad and integrated approach, given by a dedicated team of therapists and carers. Family and friends can also feel supported through this. A patient will receive counselling about their treatments, and their choices will be respected; they will receive support throughout their treatment and recovery on all levels, including physical, emotional and spiritual challenges.

The doctors working at Park Attwood are all registered with the General Medical Council and usually have had training in General Practice and anthroposophic medicine. The experienced nursing team offers high quality care and additional treatments such as herbal applications or foot baths, and light massage with aromatic oils. Other therapies such as massage, art and movement (eurythmy) are recommended and natural and supportive remedies are prescribed, including mistletoe. This integrated approach encourages health and wellbeing on all levels.

Mistletoe therapy forms a central and integrated part of the care given to patients with cancer at Park Attwood. Mistletoe supports the quality of life and aims to restore the integrity of the innate healing forces of body and soul. Mistletoe provides a valuable support for the immune system and helps the body to deal with the effects of cancer and the side effects of conventional treatments. For further information, consider a visit to Park Attwood, and/or attending the regular introductions to mistletoe therapy. For literature and research papers, please contact Dr Maurice Orange.

For more background information about cancer care and anthroposophic treatment, see www.lukasklinik.ch which is another clinic in Switzerland that practices a similar approach.

"Six months after my operation I came to Park Attwood weakened, depleted and exhausted from my chemotherapy. I meet my doctor who takes as much time as we need to discuss the many facets of cancer. I find her very warm, human and thoughtful. She agrees with me that real positive thinking must embrace the horror and the agony as well as the hope and determination. I feel an enormous relief. I saw patients arrive looking thin, wan and ill, and within days starting to have colour in their cheeks. My two weeks had created a well of tranquillity within me, and re-established my balance around a new centre - one that incorporated having cancer. I felt more whole, better than I have felt for the last two and a half years, and deeply indebted to the staff for their sensitivity. From the despairing position of life offering me death at such a young age, I was moving to a place where death was offering me a new life. Throughout my stay at Park Attwood, I found myself the recipient of true medicine and I wonder why all medical care is not based upon the same principles and understanding."