Cancer can be prevented, treated, and recovered from if you can enrich your “vital energy” and improve your self-healing capability. This is what Xu Zhonghua, an expert in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and a professor at the Institute of Traditional Medicine at Taiwan Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, said during a recent interview on NTDTV’s “Health 1+1” program.

Xu grew up in a family of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners. After completing his training in Western medicine, he also employed his TCM know-how to treat difficult and complicated diseases, especially cancer. He has been practicing medicine for over 30 years and has seen many cancer patients.

Stories of Healing

Xu cited a case that has remained with him for years. The patient was a French priest, Jacques Leroux, who had lived in Taiwan for over 40 years. One day, he came to see Xu for his blood cancer. He began taking Xu’s prescribed Chinese medicine, and the swollen tumor on the back of his neck gradually improved over a few years.

Another four or five years passed, and Leroux’s tumor recurred. He returned to see Xu, telling him that he was too busy at work and that there were still many things God had asked him to do, so he hadn’t received any chemotherapy. He continued to work and take the TCM treatment for two or three years, and eventually, all his tumors disappeared—without any chemotherapy.

Inspired by this case, Xu published a book, “The Power of Fostering Positive Energy,” which explored the unknown forces that can make tumors disappear miraculously. He interviewed Leroux at his church to gain an in-depth understanding of the priest’s journey of overcoming cancer, especially faith’s role in it.

Another case Xu recounted was of the Taiwanese boxer Chen Nien-chin, who won the bronze medal in the women’s 66-kilogram class at the Paris Olympics in August 2024. Chen had suffered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma and had gone through eight rounds of chemotherapy over the years. Still, Xu was convinced it was her strong will that helped her not only beat the cancer but also get her body back into better shape for competition.

2 Types of Vital Energy

The treatment that a cancer patient must go through is really painful, Xu said. Usually, there are rounds of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy, all of which are detrimental to qi, the body’s vital energy. From the TCM perspective, qi is the vital energy that constitutes life. It is a crucial yet delicate substance that circulates relentlessly in the human body to maintain all physiological functionalities.

Xu explained that there are two types of vital energy. One is innate in the body and linked to the internal organs and the circulation of qi and blood; the other resides in the mind, which directs one’s thoughts and ideas. To cultivate the body’s positive energy, the mind must be as kind, tolerant, positive, and optimistic as possible. Positive energy is conducive to good health.

Xu said that after going through a traumatic series of treatments, a cancer patient’s innate vital energy will inevitably be damaged. To recover, one can start with 20 minutes of walking daily and slowly increase the time. Do not put too much pressure on yourself. As you get better, it is crucial to think more positively. When both kinds of energy are available, a person can regain their ability to self-heal.

3 Crucial Elements for Fighting Cancer

Xu made the following recommendations for each element that comprises a person:

1. Body: Stay active. Choose appropriate and moderate exercises and stick to them consistently.
2. Mind: Find calm. Center your mind, engage in self-reflection and dialogue, and clear away negative thoughts.
3. Spirit: Find peace. Let go of overthinking and entrust your spirit to a higher presence.

In addition to regular exercise, he suggested that patients allow themselves some quiet time. For example, spend half an hour a day sitting down to reflect.

An article published in Cancer, an American Cancer Society journal, delved into various mind-body therapies that are particularly relevant to cancer survivors, showing that mindfulness-based meditation may help improve patients’ self-regulation and help them choose healthier coping strategies.

Another large-scale genomic study found that meditation retreats can enhance immune function without activating inflammatory signals, making meditation an effective behavioral intervention for a variety of diseases related to weakened immune systems, including certain types of cancer.

Xu believes it is important to have support from religion or faith. He found that those with faith often have a source of support during great hardships and setbacks, which helps them maintain a positive mindset.

Xu has come across many cancer patients facing life-and-death situations and discovered that many who beat cancer have faith. For them, it’s not just about treating cancer; maintaining physical health and achieving inner peace are also very important.

According to Xu, no matter whether you are healthy or sub-healthy, older or seriously ill, as long as you implement these three ways to foster positive energy in your daily life, you can rely on yourself to improve your immunity and self-healing power to ward off new illnesses, keep old illnesses from recurring, and achieving a healthier life.

A study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the most influential journal of the American Cancer Society, shows that although spirituality is difficult to define clearly and be measured accurately in modern science, there is nevertheless a growing literature describing its importance in oncology and survivorship. Spiritual beliefs influence cancer patients’ decision-making concerning both complementary and alternative medicinal therapies, which include mindfulness meditation, qigong, etc.

2 Key Points in Cancer Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure, and cancer prevention is still a big topic. Xu provided two suggestions for this.

First, regularly observe any changes in your body and refer to the experiences of relatives or friends who have had cancer to understand the changes they noticed during their illness, including detectable symptoms.

The earlier cancer is detected and treated, the better the chance of its cure. If a problem is detected during blood tests or other examinations, waiting until then to see a doctor may sometimes be too late.

Second, absorbing accurate knowledge, then internalizing and applying it in daily life, is essential for protecting mental and physical health. For example, reading more books and watching programs related to health and wellness can be beneficial.

In addition, Xu said that you can also seek help from TCM practitioners when you feel something is not going well. An experienced TCM doctor can detect issues through pulse diagnosis before symptoms appear. This is part of the TCM diagnostic process known as “observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse.” “Observation” refers to how the doctor assesses signs of illness by observing the patient’s appearance, tongue, lips, skin color, and overall complexion.

Combining Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

Xu advised a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment options rather than relying on a single treatment method. He said Western medicine primarily targets cancer cells, while TCM enhances immunity and improves treatment efficacy, working to eliminate cancer cells holistically. This combination significantly aids in both cure rates and patient survival. The integration of Western and Chinese medicine allows for a complementary approach, harnessing the strengths of both to achieve a treatment effect greater than the sum of its parts.