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
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To provide patients who are undergoing conventional cancer treatment with an integrative oncology care plan which includes recommendations for specific complementary and integrative treatments.
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To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of integrative oncology care delivery using this model.
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To promote quality and safety in the use of complementary therapies for patients with cancer
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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:
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Cancer diagnosis (type of cancer, stage and prognosis)
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Conventional treatment plan (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy)
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Toxicities and side effects from conventional treatments
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Personal values and preferences
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Finances
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Access to and previous use of complementary and integrative therapies; and,
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Other individual factors
The Integrative Oncology Clinic will incorporate existing complementary and integrative therapies offered through:
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Cancer Control Alberta Supportive Care (i.e. mindfulness meditation and other mind-body therapies)
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Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) program
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Rehabilitation Oncology
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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.