The incidence of cancer continues to rise, in spite of our highly sophisticated health-care system.

Some commendable breakthroughs have been achieved in the treatment of some cancers, such as hormone therapy using tamoxifen for breast cancer, Zoladex for prostate cancer and the treatment of testicular cancer where extended cancer-free remmission has been achieved in many patients.

But the all-important aspect of healing is addressing a patient's fear: Providing a holistic approach where the sufferer is comforted, reassured and given other options for self-help in managing and coping with their anxieties and their illness in a non-threatening environment. This tends to be somewhat neglected in many modern oncology departments.

Growing evidence from a large number of patients around the world testifies to the fact an integrated holistic approach combining conventional medical treatment with complementary and herbal medicines, vegetarian cleansing diets, creative visualisation, yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic medicine can help reduce the rate of progress of a cancer and make patients' lives easier.

The Bristol Cancer Centre, New Approaches to Cancer in Chertsey (tel 01932 879882), our own Ayurvedic Centre and professor Karol Sikora's Royal Marsden oncology unit are examples of an integrated approach which has helped many people in UK.

Dr Rosy Daniels, former director of the Bristol Cancer Centre, has written several books on the holistic treatment and prevention of cancer, based on years of experience in treating cancer patients.

Genetically-modified foods, microwaves, pollution, unhealthy diet, meat, preservatives, chronic exposure to fumes and chemicals,war and stress are all included in the list of culprits which can cause damage to our DNA and produce cancer.

The latest update on Ayurvedic cancer treatment is a herbal preparation called carctol. Indian Ayurvedic consultant, Dr Nandlal Tiwari, has treated some 1,900 cancer patients at a hospital in Rajasthan with this herbal drug for more than ten years. He has published his results on www.carctol.com Dr Rosy Daniel told me she has been treating cancer patients with carctol for two years in the UK with encouraging results.

Ayurvedic hospitals in India today treat cancer patients with a holistic programme which includes herbal formulations such as carctol, pure curcumin extract and herbo-mineral preparations, panchakarma detoxification therapies which include bowel cleansing, liver detox, Ayurvedic massage and herbal enemas.

Spiritual healing is offered through meditation and chanting of mantras while yoga exercises and pranayam breathing form an essential part of a patient's daily self-help programme.

Dr Milind Jani works as a conventional and
holistic GP and Dr Asmita Jani as Ayurvedic Consultant from 3 Eaton Gardens, Hove.

Call them on: 01273 777448 or email: milind.jani@ntlworld.com