Here’s to Your Health We in traditional medicine need to acknowledge and embrace the healing power of spirituality in providing consolation and comfort during life’s difficult journeys (“Faith and Healing,” Nov. 17). As a professor of medical oncology and as a board-certified physician in hospice medicine and end-of-life issues, I have for more than 30 years seen patients with far-advanced illnesses, and I can clearly document, as can numerous physicians, that there are many whose recovery cannot be explained by traditional medical interventions. Several clinicians have seen the CT scans, the biopsy reports and the follow-up analyses that show the disease has simply disappeared or its rate of growth has slowed for reasons that we cannot explain. Most of my cancer patients acknowledge that spirituality and a belief in a “higher power” are the source of tremendous peace and comfort during troublesome times. Edward T. Creagan, M.D., Professor Mayo Clinic Medical School Rochester, Minnesota
As a spiritual but nonreligious person, I don’t understand how religion may interfere negatively with the current medical system, as some contend. A belief system may not cure disease, but there are benefits to including faith as part of the healing process. Since the true relationship between medicine and faith may never be understood, acknowledgment of a patient’s beliefs may start to ensure a holistic approach to health care and a person’s mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Kristin Varacalli School of Public Health, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan
I’m 94, and I’ve been an avowed atheist since I was 16. I have survived three life-threatening surgeries not because of my prayers or others’, but because of the skill of my doctors, the wonders of modern medical technology and my own sound state of mind. Many people never go to church not because of indifference but out of serious conviction. Is there any doubt that a survey of these decent people would show that they live as long as or longer than regular churchgoers? Michael Golomb West Lafayette, Indiana
Why omit the nursing profession from the healing equation? While physicians treat a patient’s disease, nursing tends to treat the patient holistically. Many nurses address the whole being–the body/ mind/spirit of the patient–to promote wellness. The terms of spirituality and religiosity need clarifying. Religion is a belief and commitment to doctrines and practices. Spirituality gives meaning, values and purpose to life, and is a connection to the transcendent (however that is defined by the individual). Spirituality is experienced in the secular and the sacred. Spirituality can result in choosing a religion; religion can result in developing spiritually. Lydia Manning, R.N. Colorado Springs, Colorado
We are taught in medical school to take a multisystem approach to the patient. We are spiritual beings; to focus purely on the physical to the exclusion of the spiritual is myopic indeed. As an orthopedic surgeon in private practice, I have been offering to pray with my patients prior to surgery for the past nine years. While my patients appreciate a good surgical outcome, most of the positive feedback pertains to the prayer offered on their behalf. Rather than feeling an invasion of privacy and sensing an increased burden of remorse and guilt, the vast majority have welcomed the prayer offered in humility. Jordan Stoll, M.D. Boulder, Colorado
Religion is based on belief. Therefore, there are many religions and an even greater range of individual beliefs. However, science is based on evidence. If “science is starting to believe” instead of collecting and examining evidence, then we don’t have a prayer. Richard Hand Eugene, Oregon
I would contend that being prayed for by others has absolutely no effect–unless the sick person knows that many caring people are praying for him or her and actually believes that those prayers could help. Then the power of positive thinking is unleashed. Jill H. Clerkin North Reading, Massachusetts
Those of us who serve as pastoral-care ministers at hospitals observe the moments of healing that prayer brings to the patients. Listening to their thoughts and feelings, holding their hands or just tucking in the blanket can often replace the recitation of formal prayers. Carol Ann Roberts Dumond Prides Crossing, Massachusetts
Isn’t it silly to believe that a supposedly almighty and omniscient creator has to be implored, coaxed and cajoled into helping people recover from illness? Why would God heal only some and ignore the rest? John E. LeMoult Xenia, Ohio
Forget all the philosophical questions concerning the impact of religion on health; everyone is making the issue much too complicated. Whether you have a God, a dog or a marital partner, you are going to live longer and have a better chance of healing from illness when you are not living alone. And there is plenty of solid research showing that loneliness kills and psychological and emotional support sustains. Rondi Lightmark Rhinecliff, New York
