Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds by Kelly A. Turner, Ph.d.

Kelly A. Turner spent years counseling cancer patients and became intrigued with patients who defied the odds of their diagnosis and lived years beyond that which was expected. She began to research what these survivors have in common and to document their stories. She discusses 9 key factors that her subjects have in common. These factors include radically changing your diet, taking control of your health, following your intuition, using herbs and supplements, increasing positive emotions, embracing social support, releasing  suppressed emotions, deepening your spiritual connection and having strong reasons for living. I think that Turner discusses so much of what is important to embrace when diagnosed with cancer. While I love this book and highly recommend it to anyone diagnosed with cancer I take issue with several things. Firstly, she implies that if everyone does that which she outlines they too will have radical remission. And, while I wish that were the case, it’s not always. Secondly, she makes statements such as “this boosts the immune system” but fails to explain how. Leaving those of us with a medical background in a bit of wonderment as to what she could mean. Nonetheless this book offers great hope and suggestions for healing that compliment the more mainstream western approach.