Naturopathic Medicine and Cancer

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Across the province, patients undergoing standard cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, are seeking out naturopathic doctors (NDs) for adjunctive care.  Many of the immune-supporting therapies NDs provide can help patients recover from cancer treatment faster and support overall health.  Commonly called “adjunctive” cancer therapy, NDs focus on decreasing negative side effects of conventional treatment; balancing a patient’s immune system; and providing concrete strategies for cancer prevention and health maintenance.

The protocols and therapies NDs employ may include botanical medicine (herbs, plants and plant extracts), clinical nutrition (using nutrition not to simply modify diet but prevent disease and improve overall health), as well as physical modalities, Asian medicine, homeopathy and counselling.  Some NDs work closely with oncologists and others in the cancer community to facilitate patient care.

However, navigating the diverse range of adjunctive cancer care available can be daunting.  Fortunately, BCNA member Dr. Neil McKinney has published the second edition of his Naturopathic Oncology: An encyclopedic guide for patients and physicians.  Dr. McKinney’s book has proven to be a very popular and practical guide to clinical success with cancer treatments.  His revised edition adds new therapies, refinements of protocols, expanded references and builds on his personal expertise focused on cancer care and advanced scholarship.  The comprehensive text outlines very detailed protocols to integrate support for surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted adjunctive therapies.  It also goes into all the leading naturopathic medicines for a wide range of cancers, for complications and co-morbidities, as well as cancer emergencies.  Doctors find it a practical resource, as well as providing detailed information on mechanisms of action, scientific references and examples of protocols that have actually worked with cancer patients.  But while it is a succinct handbook for practicing clinicians, it’s also a useful resource for patients who are looking for qualitative information on alternatives and support to standard medical care, and a better understanding of the options available outside of common treatments.

Naturopathic Oncology: An encyclopedic guide for patients and physicians

by Dr. Neil McKinney

drneilmckinney.ca

Tel. 888-722-4401

ISBN# 978-1-894953-98-6

Keep Writing Those Letters!

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Keep Writing Those Letters!

A Naturopathic Patient Sent This Letter to Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid

The following is a copy of a letter sent to the BC Minister of Health on October 19.  When you write to the minister, please remember to copy to BCNA as well.  Thanks!

October 19th, 2012

Dear Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Health

I wish to urge you to allow naturopathic doctors to access labs. My primary health care provider is a naturopathic doctor. This saves the health care system money because I am able to achieve a higher level of wellness through proactive lifestyle changes.

It frustrates me that my doctor is unable to access BC labs and is limited by the province from access to diagnostic tests — effectively undermining my doctor’s ability to provide care to me.

As a tax payer I am offended by the burden of costs that results from this policy. Each time I require a blood test, I make two unnecessary trips to a medical doctor. First, to have the test ordered; followed by a second appointment to get the test results (most medical doctors’ offices will not provide test results over the phone as they cannot bill for their time unless the patient comes into the office). These tasks could easily be done during my regular visits to my fully-trained naturopathic doctor; a doctor who can write my prescription but who is limited by the province from monitoring the impact of that prescription.

As a patient, I am among the 10 million Canadians* with a thyroid condition. It is standard medical practice to monitor patients with thyroid conditions through routine blood tests. In the past nine years I have had blood tests two to four times a year. Over the past nine years I estimate that I have had 22 blood tests. This has resulted in 44 unnecessary medical doctor visits, billed to government – a considerable unnecessary cost to the health care system. I am just one patient among the many in this province who choose a naturopathic doctor as their primary care provider; the overall savings to the health care system would be tremendous.

Please make good on your government’s promise in the 2008 throne speech and give Naturopathic Doctors full access to BC labs. It makes sense for improving patient care. It makes sense for reducing costs on the health care system. It just makes good sense and good policy.

Sincerely,

Z.

Sharing is Caring: Support Your ND

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In 2008 the current Liberal government made a pledge to ensure that publicly funded and privately owned medical laboratories in BC were accessible to licensed naturopathic doctors. Unfortunately, that pledge has not been acted on.

Please Ask the BC Government To Keep Their Promise

With an election on the horizon, and a recent cabinet shuffle, we are asking patients of naturopathic doctors across BC to write to the health minister and/or their MLA.

Write Your Local MLA or the Health Minister

Click the button below for a sample letter, mailing address and more.<br/ >
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BC Naturopathic Doctors Need Your Help

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In 2008 the current Liberal government made a pledge to ensure that publicly funded and privately owned medical laboratories in BC were accessible to licensed naturopathic doctors.  Unfortunately, that pledge has not been acted on.

Please Ask the BC Government To Keep Their Promise

With an election on the horizon, and a recent cabinet shuffle, we are asking patients of naturopathic doctors across BC to write to the health minister and/or their MLA.

Write Your Local MLA or the Health Minister

Mailing Address:

Hon Dr Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Health
Room 346, Parliament Buildings
Victoria  BC  V8V 1X4

Sample Letter:

Dear Minister,

I value the health care I receive from my naturopathic doctor (ND).  I am investing in my own health and expect my ND to be able to practice to the full extent of their education, training and expertise.  Unfortunately, arbitrary barriers in this province prevent my ND from having access to diagnostic tests. My taxes fund BC labs but my competent primary care provider cannot access them. This is not in my interest nor in the public interest—and it costs your government money.

In the 2008 Throne Speech, your government promised to remove barriers to NDs accessing labs but after several years this problem still has not been resolved. As we near the next election, your government has an opportunity to keep its promise, improve health care for all British Columbians and save health dollars.

Please advise me that you will keep your promise and that your government will act upon this Throne Speech commitment.

How You Can Help

Find Your MLA: you can find your local MLA at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia website www.leg.bc.ca/mla/. The site lists MLA mailing addresses and email addresses. There is also a contact form at www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-4.aspthat you can use to send them a message. Handwritten letters have the most impact (but an email is fine too!).

Thank You!

Please share this message and ask your network to show their support, too (click the green share button to the left of this article).

Transformation Ahead

Announcement: Site Changes

Stay tuned for interesting articles and event announcements all year long, sponsored by the British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA).

BC Naturopathic Medicine Week 2013

We will continue to be your one-stop destination for information about BC Naturopathic Medicine Week. Next year’s event will be even bigger – exciting announcements expected soon!

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Visit bcnd.ca for more information about the BC Naturopathic Association, or to find a naturopathic doctor near you.