AANP Position Paper: Cancer
WHEREAS an increasing percentage of the number of people diagnosed with cancer use natural
therapeutics, and many individuals diagnosed with cancer are using natural therapeutics without
informing the conventional physicians who are treating their cancer;
WHEREAS a large body of knowledge is emerging that demonstrates the benefits of many
natural therapeutics when used with conventional cancer care, as well as after completion of
conventional care, or when conventional care is no longer available or appropriate;
WHEREAS certain contraindications exist when using natural therapeutics with conventional
cancer care due to specific herb-drug-nutrient interactions, metabolic interferences or specific
cancer types, i.e. hormone sensitive cancers;
WHEREAS conventional cancer therapeutics can be strenuous on the body and can interfere
with many aspects of overall health;
WHEREAS education of the public as to the prevention of cancer, and the prevention of the
recurrence of cancer comprises an ongoing effort in the exploration of naturopathic therapeutics;
and
WHEREAS The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians is the specialty organization
for naturopathic physicians specializing in naturopathic oncology.
THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that it is the position of the American Association of
Naturopathic Physicians that:
1) Naturopathic physicians should work to educate their patients as to appropriate and
inappropriate use of natural therapeutics in combination with conventional cancer care.
2) Naturopathic physicians should educate their patients and the public about the impact of
lifestyle factors on the prevention and treatment of cancer.
3) As it pertains to carcinogenesis, cancer prevention and cancer treatment, the naturopathic
profession supports comprehensive measures to protect the environment, including the
ongoing development of industrial, agricultural, and occupational regulations, as well as
full disclosure labeling of consumer products and food, and the continued research of
carcinogens.
4) Naturopathic physicians can offer many effective strategies in integrative cancer care.
The goals of the naturopathic physician should include: metabolic and functional
naturopathic medical intervention through the prudent and safe use of natural therapeutics
and physical medicines; reducing incidence of cancer by utilizing primary prevention
strategies in our communities; mitigating the side effects of conventional cytotoxic,
hormonal, radiological, surgical and biologic therapies while enhancing the benefits of
these therapies on overall disease free survival; preventing disease progression,
metastatic spread of tumor, and disease recurrence; emotional support through trained
communication skills; improving quality of life and quality of death and dying through
palliative care at the end of life; and providing informed education to the patient about
the role of complementary and alternative medicines. Communication with each patient’s
other physicians is a goal of naturopathic care. When conventional care is no longer
available to the patient with cancer, for whatever reason, the goal of the naturopathic
physician is, via the best of their skill level, to seek to treat the person with cancer
regarding their disease, functionality and paraneoplastic symptoms.
5) The naturopathic profession supports and promotes ongoing research into the appropriate
use of natural therapies for prevention of cancer and for those persons living with cancer.
6) Recognition as a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO)
represents the highest level of expertise in naturopathic oncology.
Drafted by LJ Standish, T Birdsall, and J Martin with editorial review by the Board of Directors
of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians -- July 28, 2006.
Adopted by the House of Delegates of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at
its Annual Meeting, August 2006.