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Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Supporting "Whole Person" Cancer Care PITTSBURGH, Pa, (September 23, 1998) -- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield today announced that it is supporting a pilot program based on the integration of "whole person" cancer care through the world-renowned Simonton Cancer Program. Originally documented in " Getting Well Again ," a best-selling book co-authored by Dr. O. Carl Simonton , the program focuses on the integration of effective coping skills, stress reduction techniques and motivation to take an active role in a person's healing process as effective supportive strategies to traditional cancer care. It is based on Dr. Simonton's pioneering research in the late 1970's, which reported a doubling of survival time for program participants. Refined over the years as week-long retreats conducted in the United States, Europe and Japan, it is being offered for the first time as a month-long course in the conventional medical setting at the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville , Pa. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has agreed to underwrite the costs for pilot program participants who are insured through one of Highmark's traditional or managed care health plans. The insurer's decision was based on an extensive survey of the medical literature, supportive findings and outcome-based research at Stanford University School of Medicine and UCLA School of Medicine. Highmark also considered recent research published in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute" demonstrating that stress impairs the body's ability to produce Natural Killer Cells (specialized white blood cells that seek out and destroy cancer cells). These findings have been supported by research from Italy that presented an animal model in which stress was shown to reverse the effects of chemotherapy. "The war against cancer must be fought on many levels," said Dr. Kenneth R. Melani, executive vice president, Health Services, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. "As one of the country's leading health insurers, we are convinced it is our role to work with cutting edge health care providers to observe and validate approaches that have the potential to make a difference - not only in survival, but in quality of life for those who are living with cancer. Our pilot program also will explore the cost effectiveness of this form of comprehensive cancer care for our members."The Simonton Cancer Program consists of 12, two-hour group sessions and three one-hour private sessions for each participant. Topics include developing positive belief systems and creating meaningful support networks. What's more, relaxation techniques such as guided imagery, meditation and humor are offered to participants. "The program is not a substitute for standard medical care", Dr. Simonton said. "It is offered to help individuals develop positive perspectives for living life to its fullest, while maximizing their healing potential. By focusing on discovering our strengths rather than our weaknesses, our program explores a series of possibilities that enable individuals to choose what they personally need to continue their healing journey." Dr. Barry Bittman , director of Meadville Medical Center's Mind-Body Wellness Center and co-developer of the Simonton model in theconventional medical setting, is taking the program to the community level by offering it at the center. "The management at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield recognized that patients facing the diagnosis of cancer should have the opportunity of learning to appropriately face and better deal with what may very well be the greatest challenge of their lives," Dr. Bittman said. "It's clear that the science of mind-body medicine justifies this program as the fourth bona fide approach in our armamentarium against cancer, along with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This pilot program is intended to set a new standard for comprehensive cancer care throughout our country." Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's Dr. Melani said, "Our role as an insurer is to place the well-being of our members first by identifying and offering programs that show considerable promise for advancing medical science and health treatments. While there is substantial focus on many high-tech cancer therapies, we must not forget the personal needs and feelings of those we serve." With $7.4 billion in revenues and nearly 18 million customers nationwide, Highmark Inc. ranks among the country's top health insurers. Highmark was created in 1996 through the consolidation of Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Blue Shield. Highmark's product portfolio includes traditional health insurance coverage, managed care health plans, life insurance, and dental and vision programs. In Western Pennsylvania, the company does business as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Press releases and other information about Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and its products and services are available at http://www.highmark.com on the Internet. More information about Dr. Barry Bittman and Meadville Medical Center's Mind-Body Wellness Center is accessible at http://www.touchstarpro.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Copyright © 2003, Simonton Cancer Center, All Rights Reserved |
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