By Shannon Wei
KUCHING — On Saturday 30 July, SJC Counselling Centre organised a psychoeducation programme titled “Dancing with 4th Stage Prostate Cancer”, featuring a cancer testimony from Fr Larry Tan, SJ.
As many as 244 participants filled the Grand Hall at ACCPC from 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, making up members from the Archdiocese of Kuching, various churches, and attracting those from as far as Bintulu and KL who travelled down to attend.
It was the first time 73-year-old Fr Larry from Chow Kit, KL shared with the public his testimony in fighting cancer since he was finally ‘clean’ in January 2022.
As guest speaker of the programme, he emphasised: “I am not the star of the show here, the star of the show is God himself.”
“How come I have cancer?”
Fr Larry began his sharing with an opening prayer, followed by the question—“How come I have cancer?”—a question he often posed to himself throughout his journey.
“I seemed to do everything right, yet still get cancer.”
The first tip-off was in January 2020, when his blood test results returned with a PSA (prostate specific antigen) of 4.9 (borderline cancerous).
Further tests showed an antigen increase in the early days of Covid and in March 2021, Father was diagnosed with intermediate stage prostate cancer.
“I will do whatever it takes to survive” – such was Father’s unbeatable survival instinct in his ‘dance’.
Beginning April 2021, Father set out to try both alternative and conventional therapy methods.
Later in October he dropped the conventional route, which included hormonal jabs and radiotherapy, the latter to avoid radiation-induced toxicity.
He carried on with alternative therapy.
“What drives my prostate cancer?”
After consulting a nutritionist GP, he discovered that the main drive of his cancer was heavy metals.
Under her advice, Fr Larry took a heavy metal test which confirmed a high content of mercury in his dental amalgams, which he later removed.
Heavy metals, he learnt, can be found in everyday items such as cosmetics, medications and fish.
Another powerhouse for cancer he revealed was chronic stress, which he often experienced as vice rector at the Cathedral.
Therefore he shared, managing stress in aspects of the body, mind, emotions and behaviour was crucial in his cancer journey.
With this newfound knowledge, he made radical lifestyle changes to his relational, mental, emotional, physical and nutritional health.
“What did I learn?”
Reflecting on his personal journey, Fr Larry shared these key points:
• God’s unseen works at hand: “When I ask God for a sign, He will give me a sign – incredible, great in His love, love without end.”
• Trust God, take risks: “The more I am connected with God, the more I dare to take risks.”
• Discernment is crucial: “To read, to get more facts and information, to make a good informed choice. This choice is brought before God: “God, do you want me to move this way or not? Give me a sign.””
• Cancer is a great teacher, dancing partner and blessing in disguise: “It has taught me many things in all aspects of life to tell me what is important and what is not in a time of a crisis.” “Cancer cells are not my enemy, they are a part of me – cells that are damaged and now in a different way.”
• Challenge conventional wisdom: “After reading books, my eyes are open!”
• Take charge of my own healing, and believe in myself when others don’t.
• Be in a stress-free environment and find a support group.
The programme then ended with a Q&A session and closing prayer.
Moving forward, SJC Counselling Centre will be collaborating closely with Fr Larry to organise a Cancer Support Group (for patients and caregivers) and provide counselling service to those in need.
Those who are interested and wish to register can contact the SJC Counselling Centre (Nelly) at 082-258046 or WhatsApp 018-2529899. Confidentiality is assured.
