A WORD ABOUT NATUROPATHIC TREATMENTS FOR CANCER

Natural medicine is an excellent adjuvant to anyone’s chemotherapy or radiation regimen, as it can modulate side affects excellently and naturally, allowing the patient the most optimal health possible while undergoing treatment.

Common issues that arise with certain chemotherapy regimens are lack of appetite or inability to eat due to irritation of the alimentary tract, blood counts decreasing, neuropathies, long term risk factors for the heart, etc.  Natural therapeutics such as nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, and homeopathy are ideal for treating side affects as well as strengthening the immune system profoundly in order to allow the body the best chance at fighting cancer.

I am often asked if I have experience treating a particular kind of cancer (or disease for the matter).  This is a question I do not like to answer, as treatment of any individual’s cancer/illness is unique to that person.  In addition, naturopathic medicine does not work on the premise of treating a particular cancer/disease, as much as it works on treating the person and where they are in their path.

Cancer co-management, from my perspective as a naturopathic doctor, is based on supporting the body to heal as best it can on its own through optimizing the immune system, detoxing from toxins, eating to support optimal health, correctly using anti-oxidants, reducing stress, and enhancing/instituting a positive mindset to work through the illness in the most effective way possible.  As you can see, with all of these factors on the table, there IS a lot ANY person can do REGARDLESS of the actual cancer lineage that is present.  I do not agree with the aspect of ‘prognosis’ – in fact, I would advise to not even ask any doctor what a certain prognosis is.  It is best to honor that you are your own history, no one else’s.

INQUIRING ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE ELSE:

Unfortunately cancer is affecting so many around us that we love, that I get inquiries every day from family members and friends seeking alternative care for their loved ones.

It is imperative to have the person needing treatment on-board with seeking alternative therapies. There is absolutely nothing that I can do for a patient who is not on-board with their own care and health.  Please keep in mind that the cancer patient is under a lot of stress, not only from being told they have it, but mostly from everyone they know wanting them to try this or that treatment that they read about on-line (there are MANY unethical websites claiming that their products cure cancer- not only is actually illegal to claim ANY cure for cancer).  I believe it is imperative to have a naturopathic doctor on board for any cancer co-management.

A word of advice is to please honor where your loved ones are in their journey.  If they are open to natural treatments, have them read this website themselves.

I get inquires for treatment often when loved ones are in the hospital.  Please keep in mind that I cannot enter a hospital to treat a loved one.  Often what I can offer is more of a nutritional protocol, in the form of supplements and foods added to smoothies, etc, (prepared by a caregiver) that can help build health as much as possible to debilitated individuals.  Keep in mind however that the sooner a nutritional regimen is implemented to strengthen health, the better.