Dr. Jim Roach's second book, Vital Strategies in Cancer, reflects his integrative-medicine approach

Dr. Jim Roach

By Kristi Fitzgerald
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

“Wow, I’m a doctor now. Now, what?” So said Dr. Jim Roach when he got the title. He wanted to be more than just a typical physician, so he became active in Habitat for Humanity, then focused on smoking, a sensitive subject in a big tobacco state. “The next decade was philosophy, and finally I’m headed on this pathway.”

That pathway is integrative medicine, a form of medical therapy that combines practices and treatments from alternative medicine with conventional medicine. It led him to write his latest book, Vital Strategies in Cancer, which focuses on integrative medicine strategies to combat cancer.

It dives into the spiritual and holistic methods of healing, characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Roach places emphasis on de-stressing, cultivating a sense of peace within oneself, forgiveness, energy work, proper nutrition, botanicals, and more.

“Learning those strategies and connecting in spiritually can be transformative and that’s what I try to do with all my patients,” Roach told the Midway Messenger. He called Vital Strategies in Cancer  “the most comprehensive book, to date, that has been written on this topic.” It is available on Amazon.

“This book has 630 references, 458 pages so it’s very comprehensive, but perhaps the most important aspect is the incorporation of spirituality,” said Roach. That connects with his previous book, God’s House Calls, about his patients’ near-death experiences.

He explained why spirituality can be such an important component to healing: “My mother died in a car wreck New Year’s of 1994 and I didn’t get to say goodbye to her. I’ve been able to spiritually work through that and I’m fine with it now, but at the time it was tough,” said Roach. “With cancer, you have a chance to mend fences; you have the opportunity to share with special loved ones and with family how much you care about them. You can live in the moment.”

Asked why more medical professionals don’t take a holistic or spiritual approach to cancer, he said, “There are financial incentives to go the pharmaceutical route, to go the chemotherapy route because it makes money for hospitals.”

Roach says he has seen the results in numerous patients that he has treated over the years and would like to share his cancer-fighting methods with cancer patients, doctors, and anyone who would like to learn about preventative measures one can take to live a healthier life. “If you stop worrying about dying,” he said, “that’s the perfect catalyst for healing.”

Roach said he has cancer patients from Rhode Island, Maryland, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. “Overall, I have had patients with many different health conditions from perhaps 30 states,” he said. “Having twelve years of clinical experience, I have seen the results with my patients.” He operates the Midway Center for Integrative Medicine.

Roach said he has “trained under some of the top cancer specialists in the country,” been published in Nutrition and Cancer: An International Journal and the Cancer Strategies Journal, spent over 13,000 hours studying and researching various topics, and seen over 10,000 patients, who have granted him a deeper understanding of cancer and how to heal people, according to the book's website. “I want to see what other doctors can’t fix because by being thorough you can accomplish so much more,” he said.

Roach said Vital Strategies in Cancer can be beneficial for everyone: “This book helps you to appreciate life while you’re here, how to get the most out of life, and how to stop worrying.”

At 67, Roach, says he has no plans for retiring. He continues to work to create better lives for his patients and to inform the public about spiritual and holistic ways to live a healthier and happier life through his book and medical practice.