We invite you to visit CancerChoices, a healing space for people with cancer and a resource for those who play a role in cancer care: CancerChoices.org.
A Trusted Resource on Integrative Cancer Care
We believe that all people should have access to high quality integrative cancer care, combining the best of conventional cancer care, self-care (or lifestyle practices), and complementary care.
An integrative approach to cancer care offers additional tools beyond conventional therapies to enhance your treatment outcomes, minimize side effects, make your body less hospitable to cancer growth and spread, and reduce the risk of recurrence. And this approach can help you find healing and meaning within the cancer experience.
We are here to help you make the best choices possible in your cancer care and to inspire and empower you throughout every step of your journey.
Our Approach
CancerChoices synthesizes the research on complementary therapies and provides digital handbooks on a wide range of topics, including eating well and managing side effects and symptoms.
Grounded in a balanced approach, we do not recommend or endorse therapies or practitioners. At CancerChoices, we are not promoting anything except informed choice — something we believe every person with cancer deserves to have. In an independent review, our pilot site was the top-rated website for quality and trustworthiness of information on complementary cancer therapies.
We are fully dedicated to supporting you to live as well as you can, for as long as you can.
Decades of Experience
At Commonweal, our work in cancer and healing is central to our broader mission of healing ourselves and healing the earth. We have conducted over 210 week-long Commonweal Cancer Help Program retreats for people with cancer for the last three decades. Our Healing Circles provide positive social support in small group settings to explore healing.
An Invitation
We warmly welcome you to explore our one-of-a-kind resource that helps you find and understand the full range of cancer care options available to you.
Knowledge is power, and having the power to make informed choices throughout your cancer experience is essential in optimizing your healing. Complementary therapies, such as supplements, mind-body therapies, and diets, can help manage side effects, promote overall wellness, and even improve some treatment outcomes.
We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be complex and overwhelming, often packed with more information than you may be able to fully process. We develop our complementary therapy reviews to provide balanced, evidence-based information to help you make the best choices possible for your care or the care of your loved ones.
Our complementary therapy reviews rated highest among 11 sites on quality and trustworthiness of information, according to a study in 2021 involving researchers from the National Cancer Institute. Our research team continuously develops and updates these reviews to earn and keep that trust. We warmly invite you to explore the possibilities within our complementary therapy reviews today.
Explore Therapy Reviews
When Conventional Treatments Are Not an Option
A wide variety of reasons may contribute to why conventional treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy, may not be an option for you. Perhaps you have been told there are no more conventional treatments that can cure or control the cancer, or maybe you don’t want to take the treatment that has been recommended for your own personal reasons. When Conventional Treatments Are Not an Option helps you explore several relatable scenarios and offers suggestions on how to move forward through each scenario to discover what options remain on your path toward healing.
View Handbook
So, please, join us at CancerChoices.org. Look for us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Our communities are a vibrant space of inspiration and connection. We invite you to join us and follow along as we share powerful information, resources, and tools to help you thrive throughout your cancer experience.
We look forward to connecting with you.
With gratitude,
Michael Lerner
President and Co-Founder of Commonweal
Miki Scheidel
Co-Founder and Creative Director of CancerChoices
In partnership with The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, we invite you to the
Integrative Oncology Patient Navigator Training
The Integrative Oncology Patient Navigation Training
should become the gold standard for cancer navigators:
from day one the program has exceeded my expectations.
– Navigation Training Alum
Smith Center’s innovative Integrative Oncology Patient Navigator Training offers the country’s only comprehensive learning experience in the practice of integrative cancer care navigation.
For 10 years, Smith Center offered an immersive in-person Integrative Patient Navigator Training to oncology professionals, lay navigators, and patient advocates throughout the country. We are excited to share that, in response to a need for our training to be more accessible, we have re-developed the course into a self-paced online curriculum.
This online self-paced professional training program for healthcare and integrative health practitioners will teach you how to successfully navigate cancer patients/clients through the challenges of cancer by using an integrative cancer care approach. This program provides in-depth education about integrative oncology and current complementary cancer therapies, how to review evidence for these therapies, body mechanisms targeted by various integrative approaches, and how to craft integrative care plans for patients/clients. Learners from a variety of professions can earn a certificate of completion and up to 44 continuing education units including Nurses, Social Workers, Health and Wellness Coaches, and Nutrition Specialists.
The Integrative Oncology Patient Navigator Training has been approved by the following continuing education providers:
- Maryland Nursing Association (MNA) – 44 contact hours
- American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) – 44 contact hours
- MD Board of Social Work – 41 CEs
- International Coaching Federation (ICF) – 40 CEs
- National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) – 36 CEs
- Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) – 24 CEs
- Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (American Nutrition Association) (BCNS) – 44 CEs
- National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) – 40 CEs
You can register for the course today by visiting: https://ce.muih.edu/browse/ce/courses/integrative-oncology-patient-navigator-training.
Format: Online, Self-Paced, On-Demand Professional Certificate Program
Cost: $1,200; includes two-year access to the course materials, up to 44 continuing education credits or contact hours, and a valuable toolbox of resources, handouts, and skills to support patients with integrative tools throughout the cancer continuum.
If you have any questions, please contact Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C, [email protected].
Thank you to the sponsors who have generously provided funding to help us redesign our training:
The Scheidel Foundation,
The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation
The Gwendolyn and Morris Cafritz Foundation.
Presenter Bios and Partners
Laura Pole, RN: Baccalaureate and Master’s in Nursing; Licensed as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist; certified as a health-supportive chef. Director of Nourishment Education Programs and Co-Developer and Co-Leader of Integrative Cancer Care Navigation Training.
Carole O’Toole, MS: Masters in Medical Anthropology/Health Policy. Consultant, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Member, Society of Integrative Oncology, Association of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators, Global Network for Spirituality and Health, Spiritual Care Association. Co-Developer and Co-Leader of Integrative Cancer Care Navigation Training.
Erin Price, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C: Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Masters in Social Work. Director, Young Adult & Psychosocial Support Programs, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Graduate of Project LEAD, National Breast Cancer Coalition. Integrative Oncology Special Interest Group Leader & Member, Association of Oncology Social Work. State Leader & RISE Advocate, Young Survival Coalition. Member, Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work and Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates.
Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO: Naturopathic doctor with board certification in naturopathic oncology; independent consultant in practitioner and consumer health education. Executive Director of TAP Integrative, a nonprofit educational resource for integrative practitioners. Co-author of The Definitive Guide to Cancer and The Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer; Co-host of radio show, Five To Thrive Live! on the Cancer Support Network. Past president, Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Nancy Hepp, MS: Master’s in instructional design and graduate work in research and cognitive. Project Manager, CancerChoices.
Beth Romanski, MS, INHC: Beth Romanski is a seasoned higher education professional, currently serving in the role of adjunct faculty member at Maryland University of Integrative Health, a leading academic institution solely dedicated to integrative health programs. Beth holds a master’s degree in Higher Education, a Quality Matters Certificate in Instructional Design, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Workplace Wellness from Maryland University of Health in addition to various integrative health professional trainings. Beth is a passionate lifelong learner and health educator and serves in various leadership positions for professional continuing education associations and is an active member of the National Wellness Institute (NWI) Emerging Wellness Professionals (EWF) Task Force, Integrative Medicine for the Underserved (IM4US) Education & Research Committee and the American Institute of Stress (AIS). Beth also holds a certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and is founder of MyHealthyTransitions Health Coaching and is Co-Host of the Wellness Warriors Radio podcast. In her practice, she takes an educational and empowering approach to facilitate positive habits that support holistic wellbeing and sustainable results, with the mindset that “being healthy doesn’t have to be hard.”
Disclosure Statement: The presenters have no conflict of interest in developing or presenting this content. The program development has been supported by the following non-profit foundation.
Exploring the Ketogenic Diet in Cancer Care: A Review of the Available Research
Ketogenic diets, characterized by intake of high amounts of fat, moderate amounts of protein, and low amounts of carbohydrates, are used as cancer therapy to lower glucose levels and increase ketones, aiming to impact the metabolism of cancer cells and their associated stromal cells. This diet can either restrict calories or keep the same number of total calories from your previous diet. But is there enough evidence to support this approach? Our therapy review digs into what the available research shows.
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Exploring the Ketogenic Diet in Cancer Care: A Review of the Available Research
Ketogenic diets, characterized by intake of high amounts of fat, moderate amounts of protein, and low amounts of carbohydrates, are used as cancer therapy to lower glucose levels and increase ketones, aiming to impact the metabolism of cancer cells and their associated stromal cells. This diet can either restrict calories or keep the same number of total calories from your previous diet. But is there enough evidence to support this approach? Our therapy review digs into what the available research shows.
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Empowering Strategies for Reducing Cancer Risk & Preventing Recurrence at Any PhaseApproximately 42% of cancer cases in the United States are associated with lifestyle-related risk factors. While we may not be able to change our genes, we can adjust the conditions that could potentially activate them to cause harm.
February marks National Cancer Prevention Month, reminding us of the steps we can take to reduce cancer risk and recurrence. We encourage you to explore our guidance on self-care practices, healthy habits, and complementary therapies. Regardless of where you are in your cancer experience, these resources can aid in reducing further risk while also improving your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Explore How You Can Reduce Risk
Assessing the Risk-Benefit Balance: Aspirin Use in Cancer
Aspirin, available over the counter, shows significant effects in promoting survival and reducing the risk of various cancers, along with managing inflammation and associated pain. But despite its widespread availability and usage, aspirin could carry more risks than commonly perceived. Our therapy review digs into both the cancer benefits and risks associated with the off-label use of this therapy in cancer care.
Read the Aspirin Review
The Power of Connecting with Others Who Have Walked the Path of a Cancer Diagnosis
Support from family, friends, and community members is crucial for healing, but the understanding and encouragement from someone who has personally navigated a cancer diagnosis are exceptionally powerful. In our latest blog post, we explore the potential for healing through connections with others who have walked the path of a cancer diagnosis.
Read the Blog Post
Zyflamend™
Zyflamend is a herbal extract composed of ingredients such as rosemary, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, green tea, and others, and is taken orally. It is used to support inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote joint functionality and flexibility. However, its role in cancer care continues to be a topic of interest. In our latest therapy review, we explore the existing research, dive into aspects such as cost and availability, and share more on how Zyflamend is being used in cancer care today.
Explore the Zyflamend Review
Stay Informed: Explore CancerChoices YouTube Videos
Our YouTube channel offers a wealth of informative videos featuring conversations with professional experts, cancer thrivers, advocates, and more. From short videos with brief insights to more in-depth discussions, there’s something for everyone interested in integrative cancer care-related topics. Explore our channel today!
Browse YouTube Videos ›
Dear CancerChoices Community,
I am delighted to introduce myself to all of you as the new Program Director for CancerChoices. To get to know you all better, and to understand how we can serve you best, we’re launching a survey for our users to share their experiences visiting the CancerChoices website. If you have 10 minutes, I would be greatly appreciative to hear more about how the program has served you, and what more we can do to improve.
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In recent years, I found myself navigating cancer care options for two women in my life who were diagnosed with rare and aggressive cancer types. It was through this process I stumbled upon CancerChoices and was excited to find an evidence-based resource for complementary therapies. I was also deeply impressed with Commonweal’s dedication to cultivating a culture of healing in the cancer community over many decades. I knew I wanted to work in integrative health moving forward in my career, and serendipitously CancerChoices was looking for someone to lead the program. I am grateful for the opportunity!
A researcher at my core, I studied molecular biology in college and am continually fascinated with science and the elegance of our living world. Graduate studies at UC Berkeley in public health introduced me to the relationship of culture and wellness, which has become a strong personal passion of mine. Where we live, the people we interact with, and the foods we have access to, all deeply influence our health. My life-long penchant for learning has led me to study clinical herbalism, reiki, and I am a yoga practitioner and teacher. I am often taking workshops on wellness modalities, and the ever-flowing river of books in my living room holds tomes on everything from medicinal mushrooms to the yoga sutras.
The CancerChoices team has built an incredible resource for patients, their families, and healthcare practitioners looking for trustworthy information on integrative care, and they have done so with heart. I hope to come to know many of you as I begin my journey with CancerChoices, and look forward to continuing to build the strongest resource available on integrative oncology for our community and beyond.
Thank you for your trust and your wisdom. Please also feel free to send any thoughts or feedback directly to this message.
Warmly,
Christine Mineart, MPH
Conventional Care
Self Care
Complementary Care
7 Healing Practices
Reviews of Complementary Therapies
How to Integrate Your Choices
Video Library
Commonweal Cancer Help Program
Healing Circles Global
Healing Circles Bay Area
Healing Circles Houston, Texas
Healing Circles Langley, Washington
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