Every year, nearly 560,000 Americans die of cancer, and it is perhaps the most-feared of all diseases. But why is cancer so terrifying? Far more people die of heart problems and stroke, yet we don’t fear them like we do cancer. The answer is that conventional cancer treatments can be toxic and debilitating. Patients often suffer more from treatment than they do from the disease itself. The goal of integrative medicine in cancer support is to combine complementary therapies with medical treatment to enhance the quality of life for those affected by cancer through a multidisciplinary approach that strengthens the mind, body and spirit. there are many safe, nontoxic therapies for patients with cancer.
At The Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine, our approach is to enhance immune function and the body’s ability to help slow down the undisciplined, rapid cell division that is characteristic of cancer. The goal is to improve overall health and protect against cachexia, or wasting, which is a serious concern for cancer patients and can have direct anti-tumor or anti-metastasis effects. None of the integrative therapies ravage the body or further deteriorate quality of life. In fact, in virtually all cases, they improve it. To complement any surgeries or drug treatments that may be recommended, our integrative physicians can also help devise therapies that can improve your prognosis.