While critics say a "natural health doctor's" claim that she can cure cancer gives patients false hope, patients at a Vancouver clinic say acupuncture has eased many of their symptoms.

Blue McGraw, who has terminal cancer, was told by doctors she had two years to live. That was eight years ago.

"I have Hodgkin's lymphoma, but I've had two bone marrow transplants and all the chemo and it doesn't work anymore. They don't have anything more to offer me," she told CTV News

McGraw, a musician, says she has found great relief since visiting acupuncturist Gerard Tan.

"He's allowed my body to be a second thing that I worry about. My first thing is my spirit, and taking care of my state of mind. I don't know that I'd have a life if I wasn't doing acupuncture."

She received acupuncture treatment at InspireHealth, an integrated cancer care centre which combines conventional medicine with natural approaches. Staff point out there is growing evidence that natural approaches can significantly decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and increase survival.

It's something Tan has witnessed many times in his 23-year career.

"The acupuncture makes them feel so good; it gives them a lot of hope. When they have a better quality of life, they have a higher survival rate and the cancer doesn't come back."

Janet Dukowski, another patient at InspireHealth, says being treated by Tan has eased the severe nausea she felt after radiation.

Tan is one of the 1,500 licensed by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of B.C. The number is growing by about five per cent each year as alternative medicine becomes mainstream.

Still, navigating through the field of alternative medicine can be confusing for the public. Tan says if you have questions about your practitioner, make sure they are registered with the college.

"We have very strict exams, rules and regulations."

Tan also cautions the public about health practitioners who want to charge a lot of money.

"If they're going to say it's going to cost $5,000 a week, it never works."

The college investigated a Kerrisdale "Natural Health Doctor" who claims she can cure cancer with pills that cost up to $2,000 a month. The complaint against Grace Tseng was launched by Cindy Leung, whose nephew was being treated by Tseng for his seizures. But when the college discovered she wasn't practising acupuncture, it said they had no power to take action.

During a CTV News hidden-camera investigation, Tseng's staff said, "She does stimulation. She has her different ways. It's not really acupuncture."

Tan says he can't cure cancer but, "We've known for thousands of years that there are energy points that can help make your body feel better. By using acupuncture your body produces endorphins."

And more patients suffering with cancer are discovering how these ancient techniques can transform their lives.

For a list of regulated health professionals, visit the B.C. Health Ministry website.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Mi-Jung Lee and Jon Woodward