Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathy combines the latest research in modern medicine with time-tested, scientifically grounded, noninvasive, natural strategies for achieving total health and wellness. Our prostate cancer program has on-site, full-time naturopaths who are graduates of accredited naturopathic doctoral programs. Naturopathic recommendations will vary with a patient’s specific cancer diagnosis, treatment plan and personal health history. Based on this information, a variety of strategies may be used, blending natural therapies with current advances in leading-edge conventional therapies.

How It Works

While the goal of both conventional and naturopathic medicine is to treat and cure cancer, the primary strategy of naturopathy is to strengthen the body’s own internal disease-fighting abilities to heal itself, not just fight the illness. This is accomplished in numerous ways:

• Support the immune system in its ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
• Inhibit the spread of cancer cells by encouraging the immune system’s natural ability to
produce cancer-fighting cells.
• Stop the development of blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors.
• Encourage normal cell growth.

In addition to supporting the anti-tumor effects of conventional care and strengthening the immune system, naturopathic medicine also works to reduce the side effects often associated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Many of these side effects can be prevented or alleviated with the use of natural therapies, including the use of herbal formulas and nutritional supplements.

Treating Prostate Cancer

To match the best natural therapy with your specific condition, our naturopathic physicians may perform a physical examination, nutritional and dietary assessments, a metabolic analysis, allergy testing and other evaluations. Then, clinically trained in the use of a wide variety of natural therapeutics, they’ll combine and adapt these following treatments to meet your individual needs.

Nutritional Supplements

Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with foods and nutritional supplements than they can by other means, with fewer complications and side effects. Some supplements that may be suggested to aid in the treatment of prostate cancer include minerals, amino acids, saw palmetto, flaxseed, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, C, D and E, among others.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the understanding that natural substances, prepared in diluted doses, can stimulate the natural defenses in the body and help restore health. Some conditions that don’t respond well to conventional medicine may respond to homeopathic therapies.

Botanical Medicine

Many plant substances are powerful medicines when used properly. Where single chemically-derived drugs may only address a single problem, botanical medicines are often able to address a variety of problems simultaneously. Their organic nature makes botanicals compatible with the body’s own chemistry, and they can be gently effective with few toxic side effects.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy recognizes the recuperative and healing properties of water through its mechanical and/or thermal effects to treat cancer. It exploits the body's reaction to hot and cold stimuli, to the application of heat, to pressure exerted by water and to the sensation it gives to lessen the effects of disease.

Naturopathic Medicine And Drug Interactions

Naturopathic medicine uses natural, non-toxic therapies to strengthen immunity and minimize side effects from radiation and chemotherapy. The goal is to reduce the risk of harmful effects on you, and apply the least possible intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore your health. Our naturopathic physicians closely monitor your supplement and vitamin intake to ensure safety from potential drug-herb and drug-nutrient interactions. Since all your care is handled in one place, your naturopathic physician meets with your oncologist at weekly patient care conferences, along with your nurses, dietitian and counselor, to closely monitor your treatment and discuss progress.

Naturopathic Medicine And Active Surveillance

During active surveillance, your physician carefully monitors tumor growth, but doesn’t immediately treat your prostate cancer. This treatment option may be advisable if you’ve been diagnosed with a less aggressive or early stage prostate cancer, or if age and overall health conditions may prohibit effective treatment. In these cases, several recent studies have shown that surgery or radiation are often unnecessary. And by avoiding treatment, you may be able to postpone possible side effects, such as impotence, urinary incontinence and bowel problems. In these cases, you’ll meet with one of our naturopathic physicians to further boost immunity while monitoring the disease. Naturopathic therapies can help slow the spread of cancer and speed recovery following treatment.