Naturopathic Medicine at Western
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At CTCA at Western Regional Medical Center (Western), we help you fight cancer on all fronts. We understand that this fight requires a combination of conventional therapies to target the tumor and integrative therapies to strengthen the body during cancer treatment. Naturopathic medicine is one of the various integrative therapies offered at CTCA hospitals, including Western, to sustain you during this time.
Specifically, naturopathic medicine can complement your conventional cancer treatment in the following ways:
- Boost the body’s immune system
- Decrease side effects of conventional cancer treatments
- Improve energy and well-being
- Provide strategies for long-term health maintenance
The Team
Led by Dr. Shauna Birdsall, the Naturopathic Medicine Department takes a proactive approach to your cancer care. Using natural methods, the team strives to strengthen your immune system and help you get through your conventional cancer treatments with minimal side effects.
Every naturopathic physician at Western has a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) degree from a doctoral-level program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Naturopathic medical education involves a four year post graduate medical degree that includes the study of basic medical sciences (including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and microbiology), as well as clinical and physical diagnosis, nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, other natural therapies, and pharmacology. Selective residencies are available and board certification is available in naturopathic oncology.
Assessment and Plan
During your initial visit to Western, you will meet with a naturopathic physician, who is a member of your overall cancer care team. This initial meeting consists of an assessment, leading up to the development of your personalized naturopathic medicine plan.
“Many people are not familiar with naturopathic medicine. During this initial assessment it is our job to educate patients regarding the use of research-based natural medicines with the aim of improving quality of life during treatment and helping to prevent recurrence,” says Dr. Shauna Birdsall.
Dr. Shauna Birdsall explains that some patients arrive concerned that some supplements may interfere with their traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. She states, "Interference is a valid concern and naturopathic physicians carefully review all supplements patients are taking for any potential drug-herb-nutrient interactions or contraindications. It is our job to find natural agents that will benefit the patient but not interfere with their treatment."
When integrated into your overall cancer treatment plan, naturopathic therapies can help to:
- Promote sleep
- Aid in digestion
- Increase energy levels
- Reduce nausea
- Support respiratory function
- Prevent or help alleviate peripheral neuropathy (i.e., numbness or tingling in the hand or feet)
- Aid in management of endocrine and blood sugar abnormalities
Because every patient is different, your naturopathic physician will evaluate you based on cancer type, previous and current conventional treatment, current medications and supplements, side effects, symptoms, pre-existing health conditions, age, sex, and lifestyle in order to develop a naturopathic plan that accommodates your unique needs.
Furthermore, your naturopathic physician works with you throughout your entire cancer journey so that you can feel better as you heal. When you go home between appointments, your care manager keeps your naturopathic physician in touch to provide guidance as needed.
Guidance on the Use of Supplements and Natural Therapies
According to Dr. Shauna Birdsall, many patients are already taking supplements or using other natural therapies when they arrive at CTCA, “In some instances, they come with dozens of pills. Our job is to go through these and see which ones are actually of benefit to the patient. We consider which supplements may benefit the patient and help prioritize their supplements."
She adds, "We also answer questions about supplements or other natural therapies patients may have been recommended by family or friends or researched on the internet."
During your first visit to Western, your naturopathic physician reviews your past medical history, including labs, scans, and pathology, talks with your oncologist, and interviews you regarding your health history, symptoms, and what supplements or other natural therapies you may currently be using. Your naturopathic physician may then order additional tests. They do this to get a full understanding of how to approach your naturopathic care.
Once they design an individualized plan which addresses each symptom you are experiencing, they work with you to ensure that you understand when to take each supplement and how each works.
Your naturopathic physician will recommend nutritional supplements such as vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, homeopathic medicine (e.g. plant extracts and minerals) and botanical medicines (e.g. herbs) to strengthen your body’s immune system and to combat any unpleasant side effects of cancer treatment. For example, supplements, such as melatonin, may improve immune function and promote a healthy sleep pattern. Others, like ginger, may help to relieve nausea. Your naturopathic physician may also prescribe medications if necessary.
Throughout your care at the center and even after you go home, your naturopathic physician is available to answer any questions you may have and help educate you about the proper use of supplements.
Dr. Shauna Birdsall describes, “Though we educate our patients regarding what each supplement does and how to take it, questions do arise. Patients can call their care manager who will make sure their questions get answered. If they have gone home, they usually contact their care manager and that person speaks with me. The care manager coordinates everything for that patient to alleviate stress and keep lines of communication open.”
Quality of Supplements
The pharmacy at Western carries nutritional supplements provided by Cancer Nutrition Centers of America (CNCA) to boost the immune system. CNCA provides highly-pure and potent vitamins, minerals, and herbs. If swallowing pills poses a challenge, some supplements can be given in a liquid or powder form. We also carry supplements from additional vendors that have undergone a rigorous quality assurance process.
Dr. Shauna Birdsall states, “We are very lucky to carry natural products in our retail and inpatient pharmacies. Patients can simply walk across the hall to fill their prescriptions for supplements. We strongly believe in convenience and continually improving the patient experience.”
Staying on the Cutting-Edge
Aside from relying on evidence-based natural medicine, the Naturopathic Medicine Department at Western continually seeks out new therapies that may benefit patients. Not only do our naturopathic physicians stay abreast in the latest research findings, but they also stay engaged in the naturopathic medicine community at large to keep an eye out for advances in their field.
“People are fascinated by what CTCA does in combining conventional cancer treatments with integrative therapies such as naturopathic medicine. It is highly unique. We are invited to present at conferences that discuss the latest research in naturopathic medicine across the United States and across the world,” says Dr. Shauna Birdsall.
Collaboration
Naturopathic physicians at Western work closely with other complementary departments such as nutrition and oncology rehabilitation, as well as with conventional departments such as radiation, surgical, and medical oncology. Your team meets each morning to discuss each patient coming to the clinic that day and how to adjust your treatment if needed.
Your naturopathic physician will follow you throughout your journey – even when you are back at home after completing cancer treatment. He or she will continue to discuss naturopathic therapies to strengthen your body via the CTCA After Care Program.
