How Cancer Affects You
A cancer diagnosis is something no one ever wants to hear. At first, the shock can hit you like a ton of bricks. You might feel angry, afraid, sad, or devastated. Cancer, in its many forms, has a way of causing anxiety and fear that can be very disempowering.
All the tests, procedure, and the conventional treatments can be overwhelming.
The experience of it all can make you feel very lonely. Friends and family might not understand how you feel if they have no experience with cancer. And, even if they have gone through cancer treatment themselves, they might not fully understand your unique journey.
As a naturopathic doctor, I understand the great value naturopathic care can bring to the treatment of cancer. And just as important, I recognize the importance of the healing power that comes from connection, compassion, listening, and supporting patients mentally and emotionally through their journey through cancer.
Naturopathic care and conventional cancer treatment
Natural therapies can be powerful when used in intelligent ways to make sure there are no negative interactions with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and/or drug therapy. Natural therapies in certain situations, can work in conjunction with conventional treatments to augment their beneficial effects, lessen side effects, and keep your mind and body strong so you can better tolerate and successfully complete your conventional therapies such as chemotherapy.
Natural remedies can help
·  Destroy cancer cells
·  Prevent growth and spread of cancer
·  Strengthen your immune system
·  Support your digestive health so you can better absorb nutrients from food that help you stay strong and help you heal
·  Help increase your strength and maintain wellness after conventional treatments
·  Produce a sense of calm in what is a stressful time for most
·  Enhance your quality of life
·  Prolong your survival
High-dose IV vitamin C during chemotherapy and radiation
High-dose IV vitamin C is only one aspect of naturopathic cancer care. If There is a large variety of natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and homeopathic medicines, and therapies such as dietary and lifestyle counselling, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and physical medicine, that can be utilized alone or in combination to help you before, during, and/or after conventional active therapy.
Safety First
Natural substances can have strong effects on your body and that’s why they can be powerful in helping you get well. But at the same time, some may interfere with drugs such as chemotherapeutic agents, so caution must be taken at all stages. Under naturopathic care, your supplements will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to make sure there are no interactions with any of your conventional treatments.
My role in your health journey
As a naturopathic doctor, it is important to stay current with conventional treatments and to know how to use natural therapies to help you at all stages of cancer treatment in an effective and safe manner. But while focusing on the disease, it is equally important to focus on you—the person. Putting the spot light on the pathophysiology of the disease is essential to understand which natural supplements have the potential to move the body toward health. However, it is just as important to focus on emotions, thoughts, beliefs, gratitude, purpose, and connection to facilitate healing.
I believe strongly in open communication with every health care provider, including oncologists. After all, working with all of your health care providers is the only way for me—and for you—to ensure you are getting the best of both conventional and naturopathic treatments.