Cancer Care in Chicago
In 2011, Dr. Vanessa Lee, ND moved just outside Chicago, Illinois to work at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. As a “Naturopathic Oncology Provider”, she worked closely with oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and many other complementary care team members. She counselled cancer patients on how to safely use naturopathic treatments in conjunction with their conventional oncology care. Dr. Lee, ND provided naturopathic support to oncology patients during chemotherapy, radiation, before & after surgery, and through hormonal therapies. Naturopathic cancer prevention plans were created with patients who were in remission and cancer-free.
Complementary Cancer Care
Through 5 years of caring for cancer patients full-time there, Dr. Lee significantly broadened her knowledge of both conventional & natural oncology care. It opened her eyes to how these two seemingly different paths can work hand-in-hand together, contrary to the belief of many.
Too often, patients experience one of two scenarios:
1) an unnecessary degree of suffering while undergoing conventional treatment (e.g. chemotherapy, surgery, radiation) without any natural support
or
2) worsening of cancer when forgoing conventional treatments for unproven natural “cures”.
There is a middle ground that combines the best of both worlds – targeting an aggressive disease with proven conventional treatments, while safely supporting the individual with research-based natural therapies. Dr. Lee, ND strongly believes that “natural” does not equate to “safe.” Many natural substances are very potent, capable of interacting with medications and chemotherapies, and should be used with knowledgeable guidance.
Dr. Lee is passionate about applying her oncology experience and knowledge [she is a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO)] to educate and support patients through their cancer treatments. She is also a member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP).
Dr. Lee, ND’s goals with oncology patients typically include:
Side-effect reduction (e.g. fatigue/weakness, nausea, neuropathy, radiation burns, surgical healing, etc.)
Immune support
Blood-count support (e.g. low WBC, platelets, Magnesium, etc)
Post-treatment care (e.g. hair regrowth, detoxification, rebuilding strength to feel more like “yourself” again, etc.)
Cancer prevention