Healing Properties: Connection to Land and Cancer Survivorship

The concept of being ¿connected to the land¿ is largely undefined within the literature, but implies a deep sense of belonging, beyond physical location and economical investment. Indigenous peoples around the world have long expressed a deep sense of interconnectedness between their relationship to the land and their health and well-being. However, this relationship is to a lesser extent explored as a possible factor influencing the health and well-being of non-Indigenous peoples. This book explores how 17 cancer survivors from rural Queensland in Australia describe their sense of connection to the land, particularly in relation to their survivorship journey. All participants clearly demonstrated a deep bond with the land that manifested itself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Their sense of connection created some challenges as well as many positive outcomes. The land not only provided an income, but was also a source of strength, solace and healing during times of adversity and should be considered, and facilitated where relevant and possible, as an important aspect in the cancer recovery journey.