Integrative Oncology

Integrative Oncology is an evidence-based approach to the care of a person with cancer along the cancer continuum.  According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute expert consensus definition of  integrative oncology is: “a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional cancer treatments”.

Integrative oncology aims to optimize health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes across the cancer care continuum and to empower people to prevent cancer and become active participants before, during, and beyond cancer treatment”.  You are the key person in your care team!  Dealing with a cancer diagnosis it truly “takes a village” to affect a successful outcome. We integrate the conventional western treatments with ancient eastern therapies. To heal, or create wholeness involves focusing on the interconnectedness of the body, mind and spirit. We are all so biologically unique. Even identical siblings, though their human genes may be the same, they are different in every other aspect of who they are. This bio-individuality explains why there are varied responses to treatments and even various outcomes of evidence based clinical trials. Individuality illustrates why one person can tolerate a medication when another may not or why one diet or exercise program doesn’t fit all. Conventional medical recommendations are based on data of averages that is what works for “most” people. We are entering the age of precision healthcare. This requires a deeper dive into one’s uniqueness, physically, emotionally, spiritually, their life experiences and responses and inquiry into their epigenetics, which is transgenerational.  Then developing healing strategies that are specific for each person. For optimal wellness and healing we must address where there are deficiencies in what our mind and body needs or excesses of what we don’t need and are harmful to us.  We are miraculous beings with the innate ability to achieve and enjoy optimal wellness with the right building blocks, in the right amounts at the right time. Health is a gift we give ourselves.  Self-care is self-love.  Here’s to your health!