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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Your questions matter to us

What do we do differently?

First and foremost, we listen. We focus on you and the entire context of your life. We have expertise in a wide range of areas that we draw upon. When your diagnosis requires conventional therapy such as chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies, we will work with you to decrease side effects and increase the quality of your life. After treatment we will work with you to reduce the risk of recurrence and to recover from treatment.

 

We focus on four main goals:

    1. Improving the outcome of treatment.
    2. Supporting your immune system.
    3. Improving your quality of life.
    4. Reducing stress, which significantly supports all the other goals.
What does integrative cancer care mean?
Integrative oncology, which is a branch of integrative medicine, is a patient-centered, evidence-based field of comprehensive cancer care. It uses integrative therapies to complement conventional medicine. These therapies work together with conventional treatment methods (such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation) to treat the patient’s body, mind, and spirit. Integrative therapies can help achieve the treatment goals and help alleviate side effects as well as provide distress relief, which may improve quality of life and promote treatment adherence.
What modalities do you use to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence?

On the medical side, we look for biochemical imbalances that can impair treatment outcomes and increase risk of recurrence. We use targeted supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle modification to improve outcomes, and we use lab testing to monitor progress. We also support you in making lifestyle modifications in a sustainable way.

We use modalities that address the mind-body connection: biofeedback, mindfulness, stress reduction, meditation, relaxation, somatic psychotherapy, music, creative/expressive therapies, trauma specific treatment, and existential psychotherapy. These modalities help you find meaning, reduce stress, and address obstacles to full recovery.

Do lifestyle changes mean I will have to change everything?

Your nutrition, exercise, sleep and social connections – these are all key to building strength and resilience throughout the cancer care spectrum. These factors are interconnected and each of them makes a significant difference to your overall health. Changing our lifestyle isn’t easy because it involves shifting habits and exploring mindset and motivation. We help you make those changes possible and sustainable. We encourage small, do-able changes which doesn’t mean you have to change everything.

When dealing with lifestyle we consider:

    • eating well
    • moving more
    • managing stress
    • sleeping well
    • creating a healing environment
    • having a supportive social environment
What does it mean that your treatment is scientifically informed?
We base our recommendations on published medical literature and a deep understanding of biochemistry and physiology. For example, if medical studies show that a particular chemotherapy agent depletes magnesium, we recommend magnesium supplements.

Studies show this will decrease side effects. In addition, the medical literature is rich with information about the effects of lifestyle and exposures on cancer occurrence, recurrence, and general well-being. This might not be an area of interest or expertise of your conventional oncology team, but it is one of our areas of interest and expertise. We ground all of our recommendations in scientific evidence.

What does treatment with you look like?
We will first have you complete a comprehensive intake package. If needed, we will ask you to do some lab tests. Depending on the needs reflected in the intake and your choices, one or both of us will meet with you for an initial assessment. After this consultation, we will give you a thorough treatment plan. We will review the plan with you and help you integrate it into your daily life. We will determine follow up sessions and additional lab tests based on your progress. We deliver all of our services through a telemedicine platform.
Your team includes a psychologist. Does that mean that I need to have a mental health disorder to work with you?
No.

Almost every medical disorder affects our psychological wellbeing. Stress, anxiety, and depression affect our physical wellbeing. Many providers ignore this obvious connection because they don’t know what to do with it. Our treatment is effective because it addresses both the body and the mind.

Do you take insurance?
We do not, and we are out of network for all insurance. We will provide you with a superbill. The superbill can be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement for out-of-network clinicians.
When should I start working with you?
When you are ready. When you feel that an aspect of your health and wellbeing is not covered by your conventional treatment. When you know that there is more you can do but you are not sure where to find the missing piece.
Will integrative breast cancer care interfere with chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy?
No, it won’t. We will not recommend anything that will interfere with your conventional treatment.
Do I have to engage in conventional cancer treatment to work with you?
No, but we might recommend it if we believe that it would result in better outcomes. If we recommend conventional treatment and you decline to go that route, we will still work with you. We will listen to you, respect your values, and tailor a plan that is centered on you.
Can integrative breast cancer care help me if I have finished treatment?

Absolutely. Reducing the risk of recurrence is a major focus of our work. We can investigate the conditions that may have contributed to the cancer process and help you build a healthy lifestyle.

 

We can also help address residual side effects of treatments and we have expertise with trauma-focused therapy to address any traumatic impact of cancer treatment. The targeted use of nutrients and botanicals can help address any residual side effects and regain vitality, lifestyle changes can minimize the impacts of treatment and address root causes, and trauma-focused therapy can address the impact of cancer treatment.

Where are you located?

We are currently licensed in Maryland and Alaska so we can consult with patients who are located in either of those states. We are planning to expand to other states in the near future.