World’s first online database of latest integrative cancer research is now live
InspireHealth press release – Vancouver-based InspireHealth (formerly the Centre for Integrated Healing) today announced that the world’s first central database of integrative cancer research from around the globe is now available online - and free of charge - for cancer patients, the medical community and the general public.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Chapter has awarded InspireHealth a grant of $142,382 to fund its new “Research Information System” for three years. The System searches medical databases world-wide for the latest research on cancer care treatments that can be added to conventional treatments on an integrated basis (such as nutrition, exercise, supplements, meditation, yoga, emotional and spiritual support etc…) and then catalogues the articles in a central database. As of today, all of the articles are available for viewing through InspireHealth’s Web site (www.inspirehealth.ca).
“There is a growing body of research that clearly demonstrates the effectiveness and growing acceptance of integrated cancer care. However, the challenge is often in finding that information,” said Dr. Hal Gunn, co-founder and CEO of InspireHealth. “Now we’re pleased to offer what we believe to be the world’s most comprehensive central resource for cancer patients and the medical community alike to find the latest integrated cancer care information.
The growing collection currently contains more than 750 abstracts and will be updated regularly. Every article in the database has been evaluated by InspireHealth physicians before being catalogued by Andrea Freeman, InspireHealth’s Clinical Librarian. Ms. Freeman has a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of British Columbia, and has worked in a variety of medical library settings, before helping to create this online research catalogue.
“By sharing this growing body of evidence, we hope it will help inspire the health care system and patients alike to incorporate taking care of one’s mind, body, spirit and immune system along with conventional cancer treatments,” Dr. Gunn added. “We extend our warmest gratitude to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for their generous support.
We are also grateful to the BC Foundation for Prostate Disease, which provided a grant of $13,000 to fund the start-up costs of the System.”
Establishing this research database is part of an expansion of patient care planned by InspireHealth, which has been known up to now as the Centre of Integrated Healing founded in 1997 in Vancouver by Dr. Gunn and Dr. Roger Rogers. In 2001, Dr. Rogers – now retired - received the Order of BC for his pioneering work in integrated cancer care.
Dr. Gunn says changing the Centre’s name to InspireHealth will strengthen the organization’s position as a Canadian pioneer in integrated cancer care and the promotion of health. “There is little doubt that we are fast approaching a situation in which the current healthcare model will become economically unsustainable,” Dr. Gunn added. “We need to broaden our emphasis from the current sole focus of treating illness to one which engages people in their own care with a focus on illness prevention through an integrated healthcare approach. We help our patients employ this ‘whole-person’ approach.”
“At InspireHealth, we encourage cancer patients to take a hands-on approach to improving their own health and quality of life. About 85 per cent of our patients come to us by referral and learn a variety of approaches to ‘whole-person’ health and healing that they can use in addition to conventional cancer treatment. Making the most of these new approaches often results in patients living better – and sometimes living longer.”
In addition to the online database, InspireHealth also publishes Research Updates, a monthly publication of the most recent integrated cancer care studies. Anyone interested in receiving Research Updates by E-mail or regular mail is encouraged to contact InspireHealth in Vancouver at (604) 734-7125.
InspireHealth is the only partially government funded integrated cancer care centre in Canada and employs provincially funded medical doctors. It has served over 4000 patients to date and aims to increase that number to 2,000 annually patients by 2012. InspireHealth also has working partnerships with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Chapter, the BC Cancer Agency, and the BC Foundation for Prostate Research.
Tags: cancer, TCM research
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Is there a link to this that you could post?
sure… i didn’t realize the link to inspirehealth wasn’t added… sorry
http://www.inspirehealth.ca/
at last, we have a reliable source of quality info that rally helps.
thanks,
tony
thx tony… i’m glad that the info here is helpful
Thanks a lot for your post. and thanks suzanna for the link. i need to find out more about the activities of InspireHealth