Dr. Henning Saupe in an interview with QS24
A cancer diagnosis represents a profound turning point in anyone’s life. How this news is conveyed and the words chosen to do so can have a major impact on the patient’s journey ahead. That is why it is immensely important to view the body, mind, and soul as a single entity.
In an interview with Silvia Müller in the QS24 series on natural medicine, our medical director, Dr. Henning Saupe, explains why the patient’s inner attitude and the support provided by the attending physician play such an important role. He makes it clear that supportive communication can help to build trust and strength, while careless communication of the diagnosis can be stressful and make the further course of treatment more difficult.
A central theme of the interview is the difference between placebo and nocebo. Studies show that placebos can be effective even when patients know that they are not a conventional medication. This illustrates the potential that lies in believing in a positive outcome. On the other hand, negative beliefs or expectations—known as nocebo—can have a noticeable negative impact.