A New Review of Naturopathic Cancer Medicine Shows Benefits and Limits of Integrative Oncology for Patients with Advanced Cancers in U.S. and Canada

Integrative oncology is part of cancer care at many medical centers across the United States and Canada. Bastyr University Research Institute (BURI) scientists joined with Canadian researchers to investigate outcomes for patients with advanced cancers who used complementary cancer care. The complementary care includes naturopathic medicine, acupuncture for cancer, stress management, nutrition, and movement. Integrative oncology is composed of complementary care combined with conventional cancer treatment like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Naturopathic oncology focuses specifically on using natural therapies to support the body and improve quality of life. It is designed to work with conventional oncology.

A recent study, published in the CAND Journal in 2025, takes a deep look at the naturopathic cancer care experience for patients. Called the Canadian/US Integrative Oncology Study (CUSIOS), offers comprehensive description of how naturopathic physicians help people with advanced cancers such as breast, colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.

The CUSIOS team determined that naturopathic oncology supported quality of life for patients with advanced cancers.

Study About Naturopathic Oncology

The CUSIOS researchers, studied naturopathic oncology care with a cohort of 384 adults living with advanced or metastatic cancer. The subjects sought care from naturopathic doctors at 12 integrative oncology clinics across Canada and the United States. The study did not test whether these therapies cured cancer; rather, it described what treatments patients received from their naturopathic oncology physicians.

Participants were followed for two to three years, during which time researchers reviewed each patient’s chart to record every treatment recommendation. The average age of participants was 57. Nearly all also received standard cancer medicine such as chemotherapy or radiation. Most saw their naturopathic physician five times during the study period.

Naturopathic Oncology Care

Naturopathic oncology care is diverse, individualized, and holistic. Yet, there are some constant, core elements. The three most common recommendations for naturopathic cancer medicine are the use of:

• Natural health products including vitamins, herbs, and medicinal mushrooms which were used by 99% of patients involved in the study. While reasons for use can vary somewhat, researchers noticed common needs to combat nausea and fatigue. And stimulate appetite or help patients get adequate nutrients to support health.

• Nutrition guidance was provided to 88% of study participants.  Researchers noted that patients’ ability to taste and hunger queues can be affected by conventional cancer treatments. Working with nutritionists helped patients identify foods they could tolerate and maintain healthy weight through the course of conventional treatment.
• Intravenous (IV) therapies, including vitamin C infusions we administered to 81% of participants. Vitamin C is still being studied and many naturopathic cancer physicians think IV vitamin C helps with fatigue, and immune support.

Less common though notable is acupuncture for addressing cancer symptoms. Patients noted temporary relief from nausea, pain and some mental health concerns including anxiety and depression.

Oncology Naturopathic Physician Near You for Integrative Cancer Care

Bastyr University naturopathic medicine doctors are trained to provide complementary cancer care.  Our naturopathic medicine doctors are encouraged to maintain working knowledge of cancer prevention and support.

Search the Bastyr University practitioner guide to find a naturopathic medicine doctor near you. 

Integrative Oncology Nutrition Emphasizes Encouragement

Naturopathic doctors in this study focused heavily on positive nutrition guidance. Instead of telling patients what not to eat, they encouraged adding healthy, nourishing foods. Roughly 83% of dietary advice focused on encouragements, while only 17% were discouragements.

The most common nutrition advice included:

• Eating more protein-rich foods such as fish, chicken, beans, and lentils.
• Increasing vegetables and fruits.
• Practicing mindful eating behaviors like eating small, frequent meals.
• Drinking green or herbal tea.
• Adding nuts, seeds, and healthy fats.

Foods most often discouraged included added sugars, refined grains, red meat, alcohol, and raw foods which can be harder to digest during treatment.

This approach reflects a key naturopathic principle: emphasizing what the body needs, rather than creating stress through strict elimination diets. It aligns with other modern pieces of research that show positive framing, with a focus on benefit instead of restriction, makes it easier for patients to adapt behaviors.

Exercise and Movement for People with Cancer

Physical activity is a key component of naturopathic oncology. More than half of the CUSIOS participants  were encouraged to use movement to improve mood and overall sense of wellbeing during conventional treatment. Naturopathic cancer doctors suggested gentle movement like to help cancer patients maintain strength. Recommendations include walking, Tai Chi, and yoga. Naturopathic oncologists also favor mindfulness practices like meditation and prayer.