Holistic, Natural Support 
for Patients with Cancer

The following is an overview of the types of factors that are taken into account in the holistic support of a patient with cancer. For additional insight into the philosophy behind Naturopathic cancer support, please see the article written by our founder Dr. Cage for the Journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review, Feb 2006, entitled “Abnormal Cell Growth In Light of Naturopathic Philosophy”.

HOLISM AND THE MULTI-FACTORIAL CAUSES OF CANCER
The Naturopathic view of the human being is that we consist of more than just our physical bodies: our emotions, mind and spirit as well as our energetic anatomy, all play a role in our health. Each of these areas has the potential to be the primary cause of disease and likewise, may need to be the focus of treatment in order to bring about healing on the physical level.  

Cancer, likewise has multiple causes. Environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies, environmental stressors as well as genetic susceptibilities have all been determined to play a role in causing cancer. Most cancer treatments, both conventional and alternative, will fail if they do not take into account both the holistic model of humans and the multi-factorial causesof cancer.

Most treatments for cancer available today operate on some form of of the “Silver Bullet” approach — the idea that one key, sophisticated treatment will seek out and destroy the cancer much like cruise missles seek out and destroy a target. This is true of both conventional and even most alternative forms of treatment. Really advanced programs may combine 2 or even 3 of these “silver bullet” treatments, thinking that the result is “holistic”.

Every form of treatment, conventional and alternative alike, has its share of success stories. For those individuals, that particular treatment was the one key piece of the health puzzle that their bodies needed to bring about a recovery. For most people though, by the time cancer develops there are usually many aspect of their health that need correction: multiple nutritional deficiencies, multiple accumulated toxicities, mental, emotional and spiritual blockages, and so on. Only by treating both the patient and their cancer in a holistic manner do we give them the best chance for a recovery. A key point from Naturopathic philisophy is especially appropriate here: Give the body what it needs, take away what it doesn’t, and trust the body’s natural healing ability to do the rest.

The first step in supporting a cancer patient should be a thorough nutritional analysis, life style changes, and identifying the root causes of the disharmony.  By supporting the body with proper nutrition, specific vitamins and supplements,  acupuncture and herbs we can boost the immune system to allow the body to heal.    Emotional support and therapy are also key to improving health as is removing irritating factors that are hindering the immune system.

Acupuncture and herbs not only are very effective in boosting the immune system they can also be used to support cancer patients by reducing the side effects of chemotherapy, reduce nausea, and help with pain.

To learn more about the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine and cancer support please click here ________