"I entered naturopathic medical school with a focus on cancer care as I had seen close family and friends afflicted by the condition. I felt a sense of urgency and drive to learn how to manage cancer patients using naturopathic therapies because I believe that while conventional therapies are life-saving, we can take it a step further by integrating naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes primary prevention and offers several strategies to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Furthermore, the safe application of appropriate naturopathic modalities while the patient is receiving first-line cytotoxic therapies has the potential to enhance the efficacy of such therapies. It is also possible to mitigate adverse side effects thereby enhancing patients’ quality of life as they receive conventional therapy. Moreover, after the patient has completed surgery, chemo or radiation, a naturopathic doctor can actively work them to maintain health and reduce their chances of recurrence. Each system of medicine has its own values and limitations but an integrative model allows the healthcare team to work in the patients’ best interest and it is in this spirit that I am pursuing a career in naturopathic medicine."
