In a recent Newsweek poll, 72 percent of those who responded said they believed prayers to God could heal someone the doctor says is incurable.

One woman diagnosed with an often deadly form of cancer knows first hand about a blend of faith and medicine.

“The doctor called me and said you need to see a urologist right away, you have tumors in both your kidneys and it could be cancer,” .

It was cancer and during Barbara Johnson's battle, her biggest concern wasn't death, but Nicaragua, where she's lived and worked as a missionary for more than 30 years.

“One of my saddest things was that I might never go back,” she said.

Dr. James Brown, an oncologist at MCG Health System, not only treated and operated on Barbara, he also prayed with her.

“It was very comforting to me. I openly talked about my faith with him and he also talked about his faith with me and I felt very relieved the person who was going to be cutting into my one and only kidney was a Christian, was a praying man,” Barbara said.

“Many patients, most patients in my opinion, want their nurses and physicians to pray for them or be involved in their care,” Dr. Brown said.

Dr. Brown says prayer in the medical field is a controversial issue, but thanks to the growth of alternative medicine, it's getting more recognition.

He stresses that it's not right for everyone, only when a patient and doctor feel comfortable.

“As I've examined my own spirituality and my own religion, as that has grown, my desire is to meet that need in patients who want that need met,” Dr. Brown said.

“The question is do you want to go through it with God or without God? I'd rather go through it with God,” Barbara said.

Today, Barbara's cancer free and on the road again doing the work she loves.

“I was so excited to go back. Our whole family went back the April after I had my two surgeries,” she said.

She gives all the credit in her recovery to faith in God and the care and prayers she received.

Dr. Brown says one study shows 71 percent of patients would like their physicians or nurses to pray with them, but most doctors and nurses are not trained to offer prayer or discuss religion.

He says you, as a patient, can bring it up if it's something you want to share with your care provider.