A More Holistic Approach to Cancer Care
People are changing the way they think about cancer treatments...
...and are seeking alternative options for treatment. Many people are taking charge of their health in a different way, by choosing to alter their prescribed conventional treatment plans. They are finding renewed hope and health by researching therapies used in different parts of the world as well as in America. Many people who seek alternative cancer treatment protocols recover completely, have suffered few to no side effects from the treatments, have lived much longer than what their conventional physicians predicted, and enjoy a good quality of life.
In integrative, natural medicine, the treatment is not the focus.
You, the person with the cancer diagnosis, are the focus of the treatment. Knowing that your feelings, ideas, opinions and knowledge play an immense role in your healing, learning about you is integral to establishing a healing-centered relationship with you. Cancer and all that it brings forth, seems to be a lot about learning...
Learning what this journey through cancer is all about for you is important. Learning about risk factors that may have contributed to your cancer, learning about your chemistry through laboratory reports, learning about where your cancer is located and the effects it is having on your body, learning about changes you are willing to make to support positive treatment outcomes and prevention of reoccurrence, learning about family and genetic underpinnings, learning about your lifestyle habits, including diet, exercise, and stress levels, learning about how cancer has changed your life and the lives of others close to you, and, learning whatever else there is to learn about you, underlies your wholeness, your total health. It is the learning about you, that brings information forward to fill in the blanks between the laboratory and pathology reports, the surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy, or other treatment options, that truly matters.
Research is important—but be judicious about what you understand and the choices you may make.
You may have researched the various treatment options offered in conventional medicine, and perhaps natural medicine, already. Information found on the internet and social media certainly influences your decision making about your cancer treatment choices. However, most information does not take into account your personal story, your type of cancer, your laboratory and pathology reports, and everything that is important to develop an individualized care and treatment plan. While you are encouraged to gain more knowledge about various cancer treatments, it is important to work with an integrative licensed health practitioner who is experienced in both conventional and natural medicine, so you can be guided to choose a targeted, customized, and personalized approach to your care and treatment.
A thorough evaluation of your diet and nutrition helps build your renewable health base.
In natural medicine, various holistic treatment modalities may be suggested and may be blended with, conventional treatment interventions. For example, food as medicine is the undercurrent to restoring and regaining health. It is not enough to test for nutrient deficiencies alone, which may be done, but it is about providing tools for change that decrease the amount of pro-inflammatory foods that you may not even know you are eating. Various detoxification approaches may also be part of your plan, with guidance and support for their use. Botanical medicines, or plant-based therapies, offer tremendous benefit to people with cancer, as does proper nutrient supplementation through carefully chosen vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more. Psycho-emotional counseling and support are paramount to having excellent treatment outcomes.
"Your decision about the most appropriate treatment interventions is your choice and is based on your understanding of both conventional and alternative approaches to cancer care and treatment, its safety and efficacy for use. No matter what treatment approach you decide on, the aim of your total care is to maximize the therapeutic response to your cancer treatment, which is accomplished by offering natural, holistic-based alternatives to conventional cancer care and treatment."
- Dr. Bonnie, PhD, NP, APHN-BC
"At MackeyHealth, we approach people as exceptional individuals. We know that a person’s life events, actions and vision create a life story which is woven into the fabric of their health. Learning about your unique life story provides insight into understanding the root cause of ill-health or disease, and is correlated with various levels of diagnostic testing.
In pursuit of wellness, you may be seeking healthy longevity based on diagnostic information alone. You may be someone who is pressing on with unnecessary expensive testing and treatments. While these treatments may make you feel better initially, little has been done to help you build a solid base for health.
Along with Dr. Mackey, you are empowered and carefully guided to build a solid health base so you don’t have to rely on continuous expensive testing and recurrent treatments. The ingredients to building a base for health are focused education, useable tools and a willingness to do the work necessary to build that base."
- Bonnie Mackey, PhD, NP, AHNP-BC, IFM Certified Practitioner