The Clinic » Programs of Care » Integrative Cancer Program of Care
The treatment of cancer using therapies other than standard surgery, radiation and chemotherapy is very controversial. The diagnosis of cancer is associated with fear and panic in our culture. This, combined with the fact that treating cancer can be literally a matter of life and death, makes people particularly vulnerable to misinformation and false claims.
Our decision to provide a comprehensive Integrative Cancer Program of Care was not an easy one. It was based on persistent requests of people with cancer who were struggling to choose among a dizzying array of therapies making dubious claims. We have selected therapies supported by the most clinical evidence and real-world experience. Our program is based on a careful appraisal of hundreds of cancer therapies, and the experience of leading integrative physicians from around the world.
We do not claim that any of our therapies will cure cancer, but there is preliminary evidence suggesting that integrating a few specific therapies into your treatment can improve your quality of life, decrease side-effects - and may improve survival.
The first step is a comprehensive medical evaluation that includes a detailed history of your cancer - as well as your other health problems, lifestyle and other risk factors. While many patients want to get started as soon as possible, it is best to begin the program once you your cancer has been staged and graded using diagnostic tests.
Our evaluation will include disease factors not typically considered by your oncologist. This includes an overview of digestive health, hormone balance, chronic inflammation and lifestyle risk factors. We will also address any potential underlying stresses, such as emotional factors, heavy metals and other toxins or any other factors you feel may be important.
The next step is to determine whether there is any way to improve the outcomes of chemotherapy, radiation or other treatment that is necessary for you. Some supplements have been shown to improve the effect of specific drugs. Others decrease the risk of side effects or eliminate those that have already occurred. This includes fatigue, digestive and skin problems, as well as nerve, bone marrow, heart and kidney damage.
Another important part of the process is to identify any vitamins or herbs that might potentially interfere with chemotherapy or radiation. It is not necessary to stop everything you are taking for the time you are receiving treatment, but some specific interactions are important to identify and prevent.
This is the most important treatment we provide at the Seekers Centre. We follow a rigorous protocol according to leading edge clinical and research experience shared by a global network of doctors using IV vitamin C to treat cancer. While not all of our patients have the time or resources to commit to this intensive form of natural chemotherapy, we are encouraged by our results and those of our colleagues.
For most cancers, there are a few specific treatments that have been shown to improve survival or response to treatment in clinical trials. Green tea, turmeric, medicinal mushrooms, targeted small molecules, peptides and other food-derived extracts are particularly important in many cases.
Our program does more than simply tell you what they are. More importantly, we provide authoritative advice about how to use them. In many cases, we have obtained them from the same manufacturers who were involved in the published studies. This is important because of the many poor-quality natural health products that are still not properly regulated. It is a high priority for us to provide our patients with the pharmaceutical quality natural therapies.
There are many clinics in the Europe, Asia and other parts of the world that do not face the kind of regulatory scrutiny that limits cancer care in Canada. We have developed relationships with some of these, and are familiar with many of the therapies they provide.
There is more to you than your cancer. Your thoughts and feelings affect the whole body-mind-spirit that exists within you. Any attempt to treat one part of you that ignores the rest of you is less than complete. While medicine does not yet take this profound truth into account when treating your tumor, it is important that you take steps to improve the quality of your physical, mental and emotional life. Ignoring these is like repairing only one of many leaks in a sinking boat.
Exercise improves chemotherapy. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, qigong and meditation affect the immune system. Studies on reiki and other energy therapies suggest that they make interesting things happen within the body that we still do not fully understand. These are just a few examples of the techniques we may recommend for you. Often, this advice comes as a natural progression during the course of your evaluation - much like a conversation. We will soon be providing more at the Centre, but for now we can direct you to the resources that will serve you best.
We believe it is irresponsible to ignore the benefits of conventional medicine. Likewise, it is foolhardy to undergo treatment without incorporating natural therapies and other approaches. We strongly believe that this integrated approach is the future of cancer care.