Imagine that a person you care about, or perhaps even yourself, is diagnosed with cancer. A whirlwind of emotions and thoughts about life and death surely enter the heart and soul at some level, and questions swirl in your mind. Has the cancer been caught early enough? Is it treatable? How effective will treatments be? What can I do to increase my chances of surviving?

The emerging field of ­naturopathic oncology, the use of naturopathic medicine in ­specifically assisting and/or treating patients with cancer, may hold answers and support for people facing these ­questions.

Integration as an option
Naturopathic oncology is ­extremely important at this time in our medical ­history. It is increasingly common for patients with cancer to seek out complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). More than 80 percent of women with breast cancer report using CAM. Moreover, there are groups of patients with cancer who use CAM without the knowledge of their medical oncologist. This is potentially dangerous since there are ­possible areas of concern, such as contraindications ­between natural health products and medications, that a patient may not be aware of. A naturopathic oncologist or naturopathic doctor (ND) with an ­interest in oncology is a perfect bridge for such situations.

A naturopathic oncologist or ND does not specialize in one type of treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation, but instead focuses on incorporating natural methods of healing into a patient's treatment program. In my practice, for ­example, the majority of cancer patients are also receiving some form of conventional cancer treatment. Moreover, because an ND is also trained in conventional medical care, we can offer suggestions on standard oncology treatments and also provide direction and supervision on more natural, unconventional or even ­experimental options if desired.

There is an emerging organization known as the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) that is helping to standardize this important specialty.

Curing information overload
When one is facing cancer, an overwhelming amount of information can come from concerned family, friends, the Internet, magazines, health shows and more. Patients are bombarded with choices on everything from diet programs to out-of-country clinics. A hurricane of confusion and stress can result. However, for those that know a little about hurricanes, the centre (also known as the eye of the storm) can be quite calm and clear. Naturopathic oncology can be used to objectively filter, analyze and safely apply information to each ­individual's situation.

A naturopathic doctor can also help a patient who is interested in enhancing the effectiveness of their treatment and healing. For example, a 2005 Journal of the American Medical Association study suggested that, in women with breast cancer, physical activity or simply walking three to five hours per week at a moderate pace helps to strongly decrease the relative risks of dying by almost 50 percent. The results also held true if the cancer was diagnosed early and even more so in advanced cases. I have yet to read a patient's oncology medical report and see a suggestion about the potential importance of physical activity in increasing survival.

Another 2007 JAMA study revealed that patients with stage III colon cancer who ate less of the typical North American diet (meat, fat, refined grains, sweets) and who ate more fruits and vegetables, poultry and fish, lived longer, decreased recurrence risk and had better outcomes with surgery and chemotherapy.

The above two examples shed light on how simple interventions may strongly impact cancer. For cancer patients wanting to use interventions such as natural health products and intravenous therapies, there is interesting research in these areas as well.

Working together
Overall, everyone is trying their best to help patients with cancer and to ultimately find a cure whenever possible. When you are in the trenches with patients who are fighting cancer, any advantage (no matter how small) can be a ray of sunshine. I have personally seen many patients throughout the years who were told they had only weeks to a few months to live, and who are alive years later.

When patients are monitored while receiving combination treatments, they feel empowered about their decisions, respond better and report fewer side effects than when just one treatment is used. Patients often report that their medical oncologist has told them to "keep doing whatever you're doing". In the United States, progressive hospitals are incorporating NDs to work as a part of the ­oncology team. In Canada, integrated cancer care facilities are doing the same and leading the way.

Naturopathic oncology can safely be incorporated at any stage of a treatment program and can also be utilized by those wanting to rebuild health and support ­recovery.

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