FAQ
What are some examples of health concerns/conditions that are supported?
Cancer prevention/risk reduction
Support during conventional cancer treatment
Post treatment rejuvenation/survivorship
What is integrative oncology? Integrative oncology is the art of weaving a variety of modalities (nutrition, exercise, herbs, supplements, sleep, meditation, etc.) into the conventional standard of care. It is an evidenced based way of practicing medicine which focuses on the whole person (versus simply the disease process), stresses the importance of the partnership between practitioner and patient and uses all appropriate therapeutic approaches to achieve optimal health and healing. Integrative oncology seeks to address the root cause of disease, versus merely the symptoms of disease, creating a proactive plan for health based on the comprehensive evaluation of a person’s terrain. The naturopathic lens views the entirety of all internal and external ecosystems of the body as its terrain, along with the myriad of factors which impact those systems, and then scientifically targets each one with the goal of creating a terrain inhospitable to cancer. You can read more about integrative oncology by visiting the website of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) https://oncanp.org/. I am not an integrative oncologist and I highly recommend working with a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO) as part of your healthcare team.
What is a terrain based approach to oncology? The last two decades have dramatically shifted the way in which many of us view cancer. In 2000, Douglas Hanahan and Robert A. Weinberg (biologists, PhDs & cancer research pioneers) wrote a seminal review article entitled, The Hallmarks of Cancer*, transforming how the scientific community understood and researched cancer. That original work has since been updated, in 2011 and most recently in 2022 ¶, illuminating a total of 14 cancer hallmarks, with the 4 newest parameters aimed at stimulating further research, debate and discussion. Based on the groundbreaking work of Hanahan and Weinberg, in 2015, Dr. Keith Block along with an international task force of over 180 scientists, published a pivotal paper entitled, A Broad-Spectrum Integrative Design for Cancer Prevention and Therapy § which illuminated natural, non-toxic approaches targeting the hallmarks of cancer — many of which were phytochemicals. These combined works (and many others) serve as the foundation to the terrain based approach to cancer set forth by Dr. Nasha Winters and Jess Higgins Kelley, MNT in their book, The Metabolic Approach to Cancer (which I highly recommend my clients read). My training is informed by these works and rooted in the terrain based approach to cancer, allowing me to assess your terrain to create personalized recommendations for your unique diagnosis and health concerns.
How is your training as an oncology nutritionist different from other registered dietitians or nutritionists? I am trained to identify dietary and lifestyle imbalances and risk factors unique to cancer, provide scientifically based protocols targeting the hallmarks of cancer using a terrain based approach, all of which aim to optimize healthy cellular function, support the body through conventional treatments, enhance the efficacy of conventional treatments, improve quality of life and reduce risk of recurrence. Nutrition is the basis of everyone’s health. My terrain based training takes nutrition to the next level, focusing on foods, supplements and other modalities that have anticancer and/or health promoting benefits.
I have a family history of cancer. Does what I eat really matter? Research has shown that only 5-10% of cancers can be attributed to hereditary origins, and that modifiable factors such as diet, lifestyle and environment have a profound impact on cancer development and account for the balance of disease. Genetics are not your destiny! Genetics are merely the “blueprint” for your DNA, while diet, lifestyle and environment determine which genes are activated and/or silenced.
What can I expect working with a nutritionist? I invest a great deal of time in getting to know you, understanding your body and your history, as well as researching medical information unique to your case. By completing a comprehensive intake and food log, I can begin a thorough assessment of your health and gain valuable insight even before our first session, thus maximizing our time together. In some cases, additional lab work and/or specialty testing may be needed. All communication occurs via Practice Better, a HIPAA compliant electronic platform. What a nutritionist cannot do….diagnose conditions, prescribe or alter medications. A nutritionist is not meant to replace your medical providers but rather compliment those services. I would be happy to coordinate care with any of your existing medical providers, and encourage you to work with an integrative oncologist/FABNO during any active cancer.
What is Telehealth? As a result of the Covid pandemic, all sessions will occur virtually until further notice. While I much prefer to meet with you in person, I will continue my practice virtually at this time. I use an electronic platform called Practice Better, which is HIPAA compliant and allows secure video chat services (similar to Zoom). I also use Practice Better for all client needs — it serves as the secure client portal where all notes, labs, protocols, documents and communication are maintained. For those of you who might be intimidated by technology — don’t be! Practice Better is very user friendly! Established clients can even order supplement refills by clicking on the Fullscript icon below.
States where I am not licensed and telehealth is not permitted (per my Maryland licensure)? Montana, North & South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois and Delaware.
Do you accept health insurance? No, I am not affiliated with any health insurance at this time. Hopefully one day, insurance companies will recognize and value the knowledge and expertise of nutritionists and other healthcare professionals in the integrative community by covering such medical expenses.
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* Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. The hallmarks of cancer. Cell. 2000 Jan 7;100(1):57-70. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81683-9.\
¶ Hanahan D. Hallmarks of Cancer: New Dimensions. Cancer Discov. 2022 Jan;12(1):31-46. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-1059.
§ Bishayee A, Block K. A broad-spectrum integrative design for cancer prevention and therapy. Semin Cancer Biol. 2015 Dec;35 Suppl:S1-S4. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2015.09.007.