Center For Integrative Nutrition

It may seem that we have a long way to go before most people have access to more integrative cancer. academic medical centers have not yet sufficiently integrated CAM services in their models of conventional care. According to a study conducted by Dr. David Eisenberg and his colleagues at Harvard Medical School Osher Institute, none of 39 randomly selected academic medical centers that integrate the services of complementary medicine and alternative to standard care had a written policy regarding the recognition of securities or practices malpractice liability for CAM therapies, and only 10 have a written policy governing the use of dietary supplements.

The good news is that a few years ago, very few academic medical centers were even considering an integrative medical model. Today, many cancer clinics and hospitals are integrated in the United States. These facilities offer conventional treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, but they also provide nutritional support, including supplements, CAM therapies as well as others such as naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, Reiki massage, and meditation. This model of comprehensive care uses best of both worlds to treat cancer, offset the side effects and improve quality of life of cancer patients.

The key to determining the best integrated approach to treating cancer is to understand how to evaluate all options - conventional and indigenous. Having many choices can be positive, but it can also be overwhelming. For some people, black and white decisions are much easier, they avoid the gray areas. When faced with a diagnosis of cancer, avoiding the gray is almost impossible. Evaluate your options, like sailing the seas of fog at night. The only way to reach your destination is to be guided by good information. quality resources, familiar with health care providers, researchers and skilled workers are the beacons that can help you navigate the misty sea of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

To complicate the process of assessing cancer therapy is the pressure to choose sides. Will it be conventional or complementary? It can be difficult to overcome this dilemma and whether or resulting constraints. If you, your family or your doctors have such a polarized view, remember that the situation is rarely a black and white cancer. It is to combine treatment approaches. Avoid painting in a corner. As long as you work with a practitioner qualified health and both of you have reliable information on the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment, you can choose to use conventional and complementary therapies at the same time, or you can alternate between the two. You are a unique individual, and as such your treatment against cancer should be individualized. Remember, it is ultimately your decisions.

Another difficulty that cancer patients and their families sometimes face is the desire of loyalty or even blindly follow the advice of one doctor. Most doctors admit that sometimes they do not know what course is best. Cancer treatment is riddled with ambiguity, and oncology is one of the most emotionally and intellectually challenging specialties in medicine. Cancer doctors rarely have definitive answers, they are simply their best to provide you the information you need to make informed decisions. Do not be afraid to ask questions, and do not be afraid to leave the protective cocoon of your primary cancer doctor. Most doctors are familiar and even encourage a second opinion. Relying on multiple sources to help you navigate you provide more opportunities. And the more perspective you have, the better.

Information Gathering

A certain skepticism of conventional and alternative treatments is healthy. .