A Comprehensive Cancer Consultation is the beginning point of your Integrative Medicine Plan of Care. This Consultation allows us to develop a dynamic and flexible picture of the status of your health. This includes a description in Integrative Medicine terms of the causes and effects of cancer and why and how the mind and body have adapted to the stresses of having cancer.
Background
When cancer is present it changes the physical, biochemical, mental and energetic balance of the person. These changes include how the mind and body react, and how the nutritional and energetic systems shift to cope with the increased stress of cancer. These changes are unique to every person – no two people are ever the same, even when they have the same “diagnosis”.
We have to carefully identify and be sensitive to these changes. Each treatment plan is highly individualized. The conventional approach of “fighting” cancer without a more complete understanding and knowledge of how to treat the whole person can be pretty much a futile effort.
The knowledge gained during a Comprehensive Cancer Consultation is used to develop your personal “Health Profile”. The Health Profile then serves as our primary guide in developing your treatment plan. It tells us where to begin and which treatments, medications and other therapies are likely to be of the greatest benefit at each step along the way.
Keeping up with your changing needs is an important part of your Health Profile. As your mind and body gradually begin to shift from “cancer mode” to “healing mode”, the need for particular medications and therapies also shifts and changes. Through frequent updating of your Health Profile we can keep up with these changing needs when and as they occur. The selection of medications is often very different from what one might expect. This is because everyone’s needs are unique to them. Selection of medications is based on your own documented test results and takes into account the whole person. Choice of medications is not limited to “evidence based medicine” according to the name of the diagnosis.
Patient Care Advisor
A Patient Care Advisor will be assigned to you when you first contact the office. Your Advisor will be your main contact throughout your care with us. Your Advisor will review your treatment scheduling, arrange for any medical testing that may need to be done, and review the finances of the treatment program with you.
Summary
A Comprehensive Cancer Consultation takes approximately 2 hours. At the conclusion of your consultation you will be given a printed copy of a recommended Integrative Medicine Program of Care based on your particular situation and needs. Most care plans begin with 6 weeks of intensive care, usually with daily treatments in the office 4 or 5 days a week. Your Health Profile is then reviewed and further recommendations are made as indicated.
(jump to “Getting Ready for Your Consultation”)
