[From "Why you should see a Naturopathic Doctor if you have breast cancer"]

Oncology is one of the few areas in which NDs are becoming board certified. Naturopathic oncologists work in both hospital oncology settings and in private practices. One of the most common questions I receive when telling people of my profession is this: “As a naturopathic doctor, what is your role in the treatment of breast cancer?” Hopefully I can answer that here.

Based on current research, the best medical approach for patients with cancer is to utilize both standard medical care from your oncologist and medicine that supports your body’s natural defenses and recovery systems, otherwise known as naturopathic medicine. Do you know what actually cures cancer? Although radiation and chemotherapy may be an integral part of your breast cancer treatment, they are not what cures cancer. They only weaken it as much as possible in order to help your body overcome it. At the end of the day, it is your immune system that actually conquers cancer.

Therefore, one of the most important aspects of my job is to develop a plan to optimize your immune system’s functioning. In addition, I also ensure that the rest of your body is working optimally by supporting you in the following ways: pre and post biopsy and surgery to minimize side effects and boost recovery time, reducing the side effects and increasing the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and helping you to better deal with the mental-emotional aspects of breast cancer. This combination of naturopathic medicine and conventional treatment helps women fight cancer more effectively and increases their well-being.

So, what do the oncologists think of all this? Well, if they work at Cancer Treatment Centers of America or a hospital with NDs on staff, they should at least understand some of the basics of what NDs can do. Most oncologists, however, are unaware of the role that diet, dietary supplements and other naturopathic therapies play in a cancer treatment program for the following reasons. First, they have not received any formal education in these topics, leaving them in the dark about the many benefits of concurrent naturopathic treatment. Second, they are not legally allowed to recommend any cancer treatments other than surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and drug therapy without greatly risking the loss of their medical license. As a result, they are doing the best that they can, but are often worried that certain diets, nutraceuticals, herbs and other treatments I prescribe may negatively impact their conventional medical treatments. They shouldn’t worry. As a licensed naturopathic doctor, I am a trained expert in the use of alternative medicine. It is my job to understand what they have not been taught and to utilize my knowledge to help women best conquer breast cancer.