conventional medicine, “too little
too late” seemed to be the theme
of her treatment process from
the beginning to end. Although
it is impossible to go back and
change the outcome, Dr. Valero
believes that her mother’s cancer
diagnosis could have come
earlier, had doctors taken the
time to integrate the exploratory
power of touch, by performing
a physical examination early
on. Taking the time to apply
physical touch could have
provided doctors with valuable
information to aid in accurate
diagnosis, allowing an opportunity
for early surgical intervention,
and possibly eliminating (or at
least delaying) the need for
chemotherapy. Instead, this was
an instance where it was too
late to operate, and the drastic
effects of chemotherapy created
an experience of daily suffering.
According to Dr. Valero “many
doctors lose the sense of
importance of touch in medicine
as they progress in their careers.”
She says “there’s an assumption
that imaging and bloodwork
can reveal more than a simple
physical exam. However, in my
years of practice I have actually
discovered many tumours simply
by performing a proper physical
exam.” This is a powerful example
of how the use of touch can
drastically change a person’s
prognosis, simply by helping
doctors to recognize the cancer
earlier, and address it through
appropriate treatment.
After having lost her mother
to cancer, Dr. Valero became
motivated to learn more about
the disease and natural methods
of treatment, so that others
wouldn’t have to suffer the same
way. Her mandate now is to give
patients the kind of care and
attention she wishes her own
family had received when her
mother was going through the
same difficult time. Through using
natural medicine to compliment
the rigorous conventional
treatment processes, many
patients achieve remissions