Are you a cancer patient or a loved one care provider of a cancer patient?
Do you think about mind-body medicine as an adjunct therapy option? How about Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis?
Then it is necessary to your decision making that you have strong and accurate cancer research and the effectiveness of mind-body medicine interventions at your fingertips.
As a cancer patient, loved one or care provider of a cancer patient you need to know which mind-body medicine modalities work for cancer treatment, symptom management, rehabilitation and prevention of secondary cancer.
It is the purpose of the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation to disseminate research that
- Identified novel therapeutics in the pharmacopeia of traditional medical systems as defined by the World Health Organization (e.g. cancer research evaluating the effects of nutrition on cancer patients),
- Identified mind-body medicine approaches to improve the therapeutic ratio of traditional and investigational anti-cancer therapies (e.g. Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis’ as well as mindfulness meditation’s impact on pain management in cancer patients),
- Identified effective lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet, exercise, mind- body approaches) for their impact on cancer outcomes such as response to conventional cancer treatment and survival of cancer patients,
- Builds a bridge between mind-body medicine practitioners, and cancer researchers.
While the ultimate objective of eradicating cancer altogether continues to be a long-term goal of many cancer research scientists, the capacity to subdue the suffering caused by cancer is within your immediate grasp.
Our goal is to empower cancer patients, their loved ones and caregivers. Disseminating mind-body medicine cancer research here at the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation supports all involved stakeholders. Including integrative practitioners, health care providers, advocacy organizations and the general public, thus, conceivably diminishing the suffering endured by cancer patients, their loved ones and caregivers.
The Absenger Cancer Education Foundation was founded by Werner Absenger, a Ph.D. candidate in mind-body medicine.
Connect with Werner (I welcome your feedback!)
* on Twitter at @WernerAbsenger
* I blog at The Absenger Cancer Education Foundation at http://amacf.org/
* on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MBMScientist
* on Google+ at google.com/
Again, thank you for visiting The Absenger Cancer Education Foundation and please do not hesitate to contact me to explore how I can assist in your journey to optimal health and wellness, or when you are dealing with complex health care decisions.
Werner’s Extended Bio:
Werner Absenger is a research scientist and mind-body medicine skills groups facilitator interested in using state-of-the-art imaging techniques and immunological assays, qualitative and mixed methods research to investigate mind body modalities.
As a mind body medicine research scientist, he takes special interest in cytokine research and the study of the modulatory effects Clinical Hypnosis, Guided Imagery, mindfulness meditation and mind body skills groups have on psychoneuroimmunology and the expression of tumorigenic cytokines in cancer patients.
Education
Saybrook University
Degree: Ph.D. Candidate
Major: Mind-Body Medicine
Dates Attended: August 2010 to Present
(Expected to graduate in August 2014)
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT ’10
Masters of Science – M.Sc.
Major: Human Nutrition
May 2010
Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL ’08
Bachelor of Science – B.Sc.
Major: Alternative Medicine
May 2008
Non-Degree Seeking Education & Training
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
MCB80.1x: Fundamentals of Neuroscience (Part I), February 2014.
HarvardX Honor Code Certificate: Verify the authenticity of this certificate at https://verify.edx.org/cert/1d6dcba40e444409892b01c148f2f102
The University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
Department of General Oncology:
ABC’s of Complementary Integrative Medicine Clinical Trials, July 2013.
MD Anderson Ranked Nine Times in the Past 11 Years as the Number One in the Nation for Cancer Care by U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the best hospitals for cancer care.
The University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX
9th Annual Oncological Training Conference for Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists and Mind-Body Practitioners, July 2013.
Center for Mind Body Medicine
Washington, DC
Cancer Care Fundamentals: Integrative Science & Wisdom, October 2012
Advanced Training Program in Mind-Body Medicine, February 2011
Professional Training in Mind-Body Medicine, October 2010
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI (08/2006-08/2008)
Pre-Med Biology and Chemistry
Dates Attended: August 2006 to May 2008
Experience and Distinctions
As a mind body skills group facilitator, Werner specializes in conducting mind body skills groups for persons affected by cancer, whether they are the patient or the loved one/caretaker of a person suffering from cancer. A mind-body skills group can provide persons affected by cancer a sense of control over their journey, connecting mind, body and spirit. This allows for a fundamental shift in perspective that could allow persons affected by cancer to heal, rather than to focus solely on curing the disease.
Academic Awards and Honors
The Crasilneck Award, ’13
For the best first paper presented by a graduate student or young scientist at a SCEH meeting.
Absenger, W. (2013, October 5). What are the effects of clinical hypnosis on the modulation of cytokines: A systematic review. Paper presented at the 64th Annual SCEH Scientific Session: The Future of Professional Hypnosis: Practice, Process & Outcomes, Berkeley, CA.
Dr. Herbert Spiegel Award, ’12
Best Poster, Saybrook University Poster Session “Hypnosis as a Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention to Keep the Tumorigenic Switch in the OFF Position?”
Publication
Baker, A. C., & Absenger, W. (2013). Sexual Wellness Enhancement and Enrichment Training (SWEET): A hypothetical group model for addressing sexual health and wellbeing. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 1–15. doi:10.1080/14681994.2013.770142
Ongoing Research
Helgason, C., Sarris, J., & Absenger, W. (Ongoing). Telemedicine for mind-body medicine group therapy: A small- scale demonstration project. San Francisco, CA: Saybrook University
Absenger, W. (Ongoing). Medical hypnosis and interleukin-1 beta in breast cancer survivors. San Francisco, CA: Saybrook University
Original Research
Absenger, W. (2013). A comparison of salivary interleukin 1-beta expression in control, face-to-face, and online hypnosis groups. (Summary Report) (pp. 1-20). San Francisco, CA: Saybrook University
Absenger, W. (2012). Chronicles of Four: A case study to better understand the experiences of graduate students conducting a 16-week original research project. (Summary Report) (pp. 1–39). San Francisco, CA: Saybrook University.
Absenger, W. (2012). Quality of life outcomes following mind-body skills instructions for cancer patients that are facilitated either face-to-face or online. (Summary Report) (pp. 1–19). San Francisco, CA: Saybrook University.
Presentations At Professional Conferences
Absenger, W. (2014, March 28). Stress management for hospitality employees. Breakout session presented at the Grand Valley State University Hospitality Summit 2014: Waves of Opportunity, Oceans of Success, Grand Rapids, MI.
Absenger, W. (2013, October 4). Is there a difference in the expression of interleukin-1 beta between hypnotherapy administered on-line, face-to-face, or a waitlisted control group? Poster presented at the 64th Annual SCEH Scientific Session: The Future of Professional Hypnosis: Practice, Process & Outcomes, Berkeley, CA.
Absenger, W. (2013, October 5). What are the effects of clinical hypnosis on the modulation of cytokines: A systematic review. Paper presented at the 64th Annual SCEH Scientific Session: The Future of Professional Hypnosis: Practice, Process & Outcomes, Berkeley, CA.
Willmarth, E. K., Absenger, W., Stanton, E., & DeBlaay, B. (2013, March 18). Integrating hypnosis and biofeedback: Evidence and trends. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) 55th Annual Scientific Meeting & Workshop, Louisville, KY.
Absenger, W. (2013, January 13). How to Conduct a Kick-Ass Literature Review? Web conference presentation to a live audience at Saybrook University’s Research Symposium, San Diego, CA.
Absenger, W. (2012, April). Spukhafte Fernwirkung: Can distant healing intentionality (DHI) be explained through imagery induced ultraweak biophoton emission, qubits and quantum entanglement? Poster session presented at the Center for Consciousness Studies’ 10th Biennial Toward a Science of Consciousness Conference, Tucson, AZ.
Professional Memberships
AAAS: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE
The American Association for the Advancement of Science, “Triple A-S” (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world by serving as an educator, leader, spokesperson and professional association.
SCEH: THE SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HYPNOSIS
Founded in 1949, the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) is an international organization of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, dentists and physicians who are dedicated to the highest level of scientific inquiry and the conscientious application of hypnosis in the clinical setting.
AHMA: THE AMERICAN HOLISTIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
“Complementary”, “alternative”, “environmental”, “integrative” medicine are now part of the mainstream vernacular. “Functional” medicine is gaining momentum. A holistic approach is what many patients desire as the standard. The American Holistic Medical Association was founded in July, 1978. Members are holistic practitioners, organizational leaders, supporters, authors, and speakers. As a nonprofit association, the AHMA routinely collaborates with numerous others, collectively providing the voices necessary for continued progress in the transformation of healthcare.
Other Experience
Peer Reviewer
Spring Lake, MI, 2012 to Present
SAGE Open: An Interactive Open Access Journal for the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, and other Disciplines.
SAGE Open seeks to be the world’s premier open access outlet for academic research. As such, unlike traditional journals, SAGE Open does not limit content due to page budgets or thematic significance. Rather, SAGE Open evaluates the scientific and research methods of each article for validity and accepts articles solely on the basis of the research. This approach allows readers greater access and gives them the power to determine the significance of each article through SAGE Open’s interactive comments feature and article-level usage metrics. Likewise, by not restricting papers to a narrow discipline, SAGE Open facilitates the discovery of the connections between papers, whether within or between disciplines.
A 16-Week Mind-Body Skills Group: Supervision
Grand Rapids, Michigan 2011, February to June
Students practice and master the Mind-Body Skills Group format, in the course of facilitating an eight to ten session group. The course instructor guides the students in recruiting participants, orienting the participants and introducing the group format. Students will facilitate a series of mind-body skills for group participants. This course provides students with weekly group supervision, allowing regular discussion of all group processes and challenges in the group facilitator role, with a course instructor and fellow students.
Michigan Licensed Practical Nurses Association
Muskegon, Michigan, April 2011
The New Medicine and the Central Role of Self-Care Participants will learn underlying principles and theories of the New Medicine and understand why self-care is essential to healthcare. Participants will be introduced to the 7 Pillars of the New Medicine and the nine essential modalities playing a role in self-care. Attendees will be able to participate in an experiential activity, for a “hands on” experience.
Michigan Licensed Practical Nurses Association
Muskegon, Michigan, April 2010
Water-Essential Nutrient For Life was the topic for this year’s LPN seminar. We covered the why water was so important and the signs and symptoms of chronic dehydration.
Michigan Licensed Practical Nurses Association
Muskegon, Michigan April 2009
Implications of Nutrition in Prostate Health. I was invited back to give yet another presentation dealing with nutrition. This year’s presentation focused on prostate health and nutritional approaches to protect/ use as adjuncts to treat prostate cancer.
Secchia Institute For Culinary Education
Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 2008
Low Carbohydrate Cooking
The major source of energy fuel in the average human diet is carbohydrate. Roughly half o this amount comes from simple sugars such as sucrose and lactose. This class will teach you how to safely reduce carbohydrate intake using tempting, easy to create recipes.
Michigan Licensed Practical Nurses Association
Muskegon, Michigan, April 2008
The Importance of Proper Antioxidants in the Diet
I was invited to speak on the topic of antioxidants, what they are, to explain an antioxidant network and the impact antioxidants have on health and wellness and why they should be an important part of a nurse’s diet.
Michigan State University
Lansing, Michigan, September 2006
The Future of Food
I was invited to be a speaker and participant at a workshop the Ecological Food & Farm Stewardship organized about genetically modified foods.
Is This The Future Of Food?
Various Locations Throughout 2006
This seminar was put together as a response to the introduction of Michigan Senate Bill 0777. We hoped to educate the public about the Austrian Model pertaining to food labeling and GMO foods.
Rooted In Community IV
Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 2006
Healthy Food=Healthy People= Healthy Communities
I was invited to speak at this seminar about Complimentary and Alternative approaches to disease, especially from a nutritional perspective.
Culinary Vegetable Institute
Milan, Ohio, October 2005
Healing Properties of Foods
A seminar presented to Oncology Nursing Society Members about the anti-carcinogenic effects of garlic, soybeans, and the umbelliferous vegetables such as carrots, parsley, celery and parsnips.
New York Chiropractic College
Seneca Falls, New York, July 2005
Phytotherapy
This seminar was tailored to students and faculty of NY Chiropractic College dealing with healing effects of herbs, principles of phytotherapy and herbal therapeutic systems.
Culinary Vegetable Institute
Milan, Ohio, May 2005
Fighting Breast Cancer One Bite At A Time
This program was put together based on the Hippocratic theorem: “Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food.”
Synergistic Activities – Service
2010, August to Present – Student Academic Review Committee (SARC) Fall 2010 Cohort Representative
Two members of MBM SARC represent students at the monthly MBM Academic Leadership Council (ALC) meetings. The MBM ALC is the governance council within the Graduate College of Mind-Body Medicine that is composed of MBM administration, faculty, and students. The MBM ALC approves course learning guides, course sequences, and academic policies and procedures.
2006 to Present – Board Member: The Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council (GGRFSC)
The Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council (GGRFSC) was founded in 2001. Our geographic area is West Michigan with a concentration in Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties. Our goals include working to build and develop a just and sustainable food system and help establish food security for everyone.
This page last updated October 15, 2014 at 08:28 AM.
Wellthcare in Cancer Survivorship Membership
A Smart Solution for Your Cancer Survivorship Experience?
Find out, because here is what we got for you:
FOCUS:Research
We are actively seeking to engage in research projects that fit within the mission and vision of ACEF. Currently we are conducting a study titled “Medical Hypnosis and Interleukin-1 beta in Breast Cancer Survivors.”
FOCUS: Education
To adequately address the needs of cancer survivors, ACEF will take a leadership role here in West Michigan to educate the public and health care professionals about the role of mind-body medicine modalities in cancer survivorship.
FOCUS: Integration
ACEF’s brick and mortar location here in Spring Lake will be a safe place for persons affected by cancer to learn about mind-body modalities, and ultimately, how to integrate mind-body modalities safely into a self-care regimen and the survivorship experience.
Wellthcare in Cancer Survivorship
Coming in late November to West Michigan
Be A Smart Cancer Survivor and Have a Head Start… Don’t be Left Out!