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INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY CLINIC

Why an Integrative Oncology Clinic?

The Integrative Oncology Clinic is a pilot project that aims to provide personalized, patient-centered, safe and culturally sensitive recommendations on the use of complementary and integrative treatments for patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.  

Our Objectives

1

To provide patients who are undergoing conventional cancer treatment with an integrative oncology care plan which includes recommendations for specific complementary and integrative treatments. 

3

To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrative oncology care delivery using this model. 

2

To promote quality and safety in the use of complementary therapies for patients with cancer 

4

To develop a delivery approach that can be expanded to all cancer centers in Alberta and that is sustainable over the long-term.

What Does the Service Provide?

This service will provide patients with a one-on-one initial consultation and follow-up visits that take into account the following:‍

  • Cancer diagnosis (type of cancer, stage and prognosis)

  • Conventional treatment plan (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy)

  • Toxicities and side effects from conventional treatments

  • Personal values and preferences

  • Finances

  • Access to and previous use of complementary and integrative therapies; and,  

  • Other individual factors


The Integrative Oncology Clinic will incorporate existing complementary and integrative therapies offered through:‍

  • Cancer Control Alberta Supportive Care (i.e. mindfulness meditation and other mind-body therapies)

  • Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) program

  • Rehabilitation Oncology

  • Evidence-informed therapies that are available in the community (i.e. acupuncture, oncology massage).

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Dr. Safiya Karim will serve as the medical director of the Integrative Oncology Clinic.  Dr. Karim is a medical oncologist (MD, FRCPC) who has received additional training in Integrative Oncology.  Having both knowledge of evidence-based conventional and complementary therapies, Dr. Karim will bridge the gap between these arenas to provide an integrated approach to cancer treatment.  
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The pilot project is currently accepting referrals. For Healthcare Providers Click Here for more information. For Patients, Click Here.

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