What is integrative care?

Many patients underestimate how dramatically cancer may affect them, both physically and emotionally. Symptoms like nausea and vomiting, peripheral naturopathies and dry mouth are common side effects of certain cancer treatments, and may be treated with supportive care therapies, like nutritional support, physical rehabilitation, optimal weight and behavioural health.  An integrative approach to cancer care treats the disease with surgery, chemotherapy and other conventional tools, while also supporting patients’ strength, stamina and quality of life with evidence-informed therapies.  

Integrative care has two layers. First, conventional treatments attack the disease itself. At the same time, evidence-informed therapies help combat cancer-related side effects. The two together, conventional cancer treatments and supportive therapies, delivered simultaneously by a collaborative team of clinicians—that’s integrative cancer care. Explore the links below to learn more about the various supportive care therapies we offer as part of our integrative approach to cancer care.

What are the benefits of integrative care?

The goal of integrative cancer care is to help patients better tolerate treatment-related side effects in order to reduce treatment delays or interruptions and get the most out of life.

Did you know?

Up to 80 percent of adults living with cancer are malnourished.

An estimated 65 percent of patients take a dietary supplement during treatment.

One in three cancer patients continues to experience pain after treatment. 

At diagnosis, one in two patients has some form of nutritional deficit.

At least seven in 10 cancer patients undergoing treatment experience fatigue. 

Fewer than one in five patients receives emotional or spiritual support from a doctor.

One in two cancer patients experiences significant distress. 

Call us now for immediate support.