Exciting Integrative Oncology Research Centre in Washington

A research centre dedicated to providing integrative care to cancer patients was opened in February 2009 on the campus of Bastyr University, Washington. Participants in the study are offered support through each stage of their journey (from diagnosis to treatment decisions, through to restoring immune function and health after completing conventional treatment). The centre has naturopathic doctors who are certified to work on cancer, doctors of acupuncture and oriental  medicine, who offer mind/body medicine, acupuncture, botanical medicine and nutrition. All the doctors working at the Research Centre communicate with each participant’s medical and radiation oncologists to ensure truly integrated care.

The collaborating research partner for this project is a researcher from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, carrying out analysis of a controlled outcomes study (which means they will evaluate comparable medical care approaches). So the study will compare the “disease-free survival” and quality of life in participants who are treated at Bastyr to cancer patients living in Washington State who do not include complementary, alternative or integrated therapies in their treatment plans. The results of this study will be very important for practitioners seeking to offer integrated care within mainstream healthcare. I’ll post details as soon as I hear.