Following is an interesting talk by Master Chin Kong on why some cancer patients are able to recover. One example that he quoted was Mr. Lee Bock Guan (�木�）who is in charge of Buddhist Lodge (居士林). Mr. Lee had cancer more than 10 years ago and doctor told him he had only 3 months to live but he recovers and lives till today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEkKgs8k1kc&feature=related