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
Naturopathic Medicine Week 2013
All Posts, BCNA news, Events, NatMedWeek 2013BC Naturopathic Medicine Week
May 6 – 12, 2013
Join the BC Naturopathic Association as it celebrates 90 years of advancing primary care in 2013. Naturopathic doctors, clinics, and schools will open their doors to the public for open houses, free doctor visits, seminars, and more.
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BC Naturopathic Medicine Week will also be featured on the BCNA’s official Twitter and Facebook page.
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Last year, other local businesses that support healthy lifestyles teamed up with their naturopathic neighbours. There was a Ladies Night Out health expo at a pharmacy in Victoria, a Tasting Day featuring free samples from a bakery and health food store in Campbell River, and Free Seminars and ‘Meet the Doctor’ consultations at grocery stores, yoga studios, and a herbal dispensary. If your business is interested in hosting an event or providing free samples or other goodies, please contact us!
More Information
Visit the BC Naturopathic Medicine Week page for more information.
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BC Doctor Speaking at Film Festival
All Posts, BCNA news, VancouverSome folk run for fun, some for the competition, others find inner peace and spirituality in running. BCNA member Dr. Pushpa Chandra is a woman of small stature and great accomplishments. She has run in some of the most harsh conditions on some of the most difficult terrain on the planet. This year, at the 16th Annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, Dr. Chandra has been chosen as a guest speaker to highlight her running career. On February 10 at the North Vancouver Centennial Theatre, Pushpa will share some images from her running adventures to Antarctica and the North Pole and interpret how these accomplishments have changed her perspectives on life.
Female World Record Holder for Antarctica Run
Dr. Pushpa Chandra is a 55-year-old Vancouver-based naturopathic doctor, Ironman Triathlete and ultramarathon runner. To celebrate her 50th birthday in 2008, she decided to run trails on all seven continents and participate in some of the most extreme running events in the world including: The Mount Everest Marathon, the Open African Safari, the Antarctica 100 km and the North Pole marathon. She was the first Canadian to run at both the North Pole and in Antarctica, and her accomplishments include overall female winner of 2009 North Pole Marathon and female world record holder of the Antarctica 100 km. Pushpa’s inspirational stories have been featured on CBC National TV, CBC Radio, CTV , The Vancouver Sun, The Georgia Straight , Shared Vision, Global TV and The Globe and Mail.
Naturopathic Medicine and Cancer
All Posts, BCNA news, UncategorizedAcross 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!
All Posts, BCNA newsA 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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