Integrative Oncology & Cancer Support Care in Downeast Maine

What is Integrative Oncology?

What do the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the Dana-Farber Institute and the Mayo Clinic have in common? Aside from the fact that they are inaccessible for many uninsured patients in the United States, due to distance or funds; they are the Gold Standard for Cancer Treatment.

Why? Because they use an integrative approach to care that uses a combination of traditional and nontraditional modalities that most hospitals and private medical practices are not able to provide. This specialized level of care is known as integrative oncology care.

The Society for Integrative Oncology (https://integrativeonc.org/) defines Integrative Oncology as:

“a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional cancer treatments.”

Evidence-Based Integrative Cancer Care

The National Institute for Health: National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam) has researched and recognizes several complementary therapies that can help cancer patients:

1. cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and fatigue

2. comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress

3. feel that they are doing something to help with their own care

These integrative cancer care modalities include:

1. Mind–Body Therapies

Mind–body therapies combine mental focus, breathing, and body movements to help relax the body and mind. Examples include:

• meditation

• QiGong

• somatic / creative therapies (art, movement, ecotherapy)

  
  

2. Biologically-Based Practices

These use things found in nature as part of natural cancer support care, such as:

• vitamins and dietary supplements

• botanicals

• special foods or diets

  
  

3. Bodywork Practices

These include physical hands-on practices that support comfort and recovery, such as:

• reflexology

• massage therapy

• specialized chiropractic care

4. Energy Medicine

Energy-based supportive care therapies include:

• reiki

• therapeutic touch

• light therapy

• sound / frequency therapies

• biomagnetic therapy

5. Whole Systems

These systems focus on supporting balance and homeostasis using natural approaches alongside conventional care. Whole systems approaches used in integrative oncology care include:

• Ayurvedic medicine

• Traditional Chinese medicine

• Native American medicine

Integrative Oncology Care at Downeast Wellness (Maine)

At Downeast Wellness, we work integratively with patients who receive oncology care through Northern Lights Cancer Care, Downeast Community Hospital, Eastport Health Centers, MDI Hospital, and Calais Regional Hospital systems, and more.

Our capacity for care centers on our clinical team (Dr. Ruth Moore, Jim Ashmore, RN, and Lisa Grant, FNP) who create a comprehensive integrative cancer support care plan and provide complementary services for each patient.

Dr. Moore and Mr. Ashmore are both cancer survivors and truly understand first-hand the need for fully integrative care to support the mind, body, and spirit throughout the recovery process. Together, they support several cancer patients as they move through:

• diagnosis

• active treatment

• remission

• post-cancer support

For our patients’ needs, many of these functional health and lifestyle wellness services can be provided:

• in our office

• by phone

• or online for patients unable to travel

  
  

We also provide referrals within our Downeast Maine community for:

• adapted massage therapy

• specialized chiropractic care

• hypobaric oxygen support

If you are interested in Integrative Oncology care in Maine, we can help you through:

1. Personalized Cancer Support Care

Learn about individualized care, including:

• which medicines will or won’t work with your DNA

• which foods can reduce inflammation during treatment

• which nutritional supplements support recovery

2. Advanced Supportive Therapies

Explore integrative oncology support options such as:

• electronic therapies targeting specific cancers via cymatic frequency modulation

• electromagnetic (non-laser) light sessions

• manual biomagnetic synchronization

3. Nutritional Oncology Support

Review and support changing nutritional needs during:

• chemotherapy

• oncology treatments

• recovery phases

4. Immune & Botanical Support Care

Support immunity and resilience with:

• evidence-based tinctures

• clinical aromatherapy protocols

• botanical integrative cancer support options

5. Mind–Body & Emotional Resilience Support

Strengthen emotional, physical, and spiritual resilience with:

• QiGong

• EcoTherapy

• Holistic kinesthesiology practices

• mindfulness-based pain interruption techniques

How to Begin Integrative Cancer Support Care

How can you start this integrative process?

Simply click the button down below to reserve your initial consultation or call our office at (207) 619-4886.

You may also ask your primary care provider to make a referral and send referral paperwork to our office.

We look forward to meeting you and being a part of your integrative oncology care journey.