Combining Conventional and Alternative Medicine for Better Cancer Outcomes
Cancer is a complex and life-altering disease that affects not only the body but also the mind and spirit. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation have been the backbone of cancer care for decades. However, increasing research and patient experiences are showing that combining these conventional treatments with alternative therapies can offer profound benefits, improving overall outcomes and quality of life. This holistic approach, known as integrative oncology, provides an opportunity for cancer patients to address the disease on multiple levels—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
At Hyperion Functional Medicine serving Fremont, IN, Jennifer Bouchard, NP, MPH, IFMCP, specializes in a personalized functional oncology approach that integrates both conventional and alternative medicine, empowering patients to heal in a way that suits their unique needs. Through virtual consultations available to patients in eNLC states, Jennifer Bouchard provides expert functional medicine care through secure remote consultations. This is about more than just fighting cancer—it’s about improving your entire life experience during treatment and beyond.
What is Integrative Cancer Treatment?
Integrative cancer treatment blends conventional oncology therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, with complementary and alternative therapies. This holistic approach addresses not only the tumor but also the underlying factors that contribute to cancer, such as nutrition, immune function, and lifestyle choices.
By integrating alternative therapies, patients benefit from a more balanced healing process that supports the body’s ability to fight the disease while managing the side effects of treatment. This approach aims to treat the whole person, not just the disease, enhancing both the healing process and emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
The key benefits of integrative cancer care include:
- Comprehensive Healing: Treats the body, mind, and spirit
- Reduced Side Effects: Helps manage chemotherapy and radiation side effects like fatigue, nausea, and appetite loss
- Improved Quality of Life: Boosts overall wellness, energy levels, and emotional well-being
By combining the best of both conventional and alternative approaches, we give our patients the opportunity to heal in a more complete and holistic manner.
The Role of Functional Medicine in Cancer Care
Functional medicine is a personalized approach that aims to identify and address the root causes of disease, rather than merely managing symptoms. In cancer care, this means taking a deeper look at the underlying factors that could influence disease progression and designing a personalized treatment plan that goes beyond traditional cancer treatments.
At Hyperion Functional Medicine, Jennifer Bouchard provides a personalized functional oncology approach to cancer care through virtual consultations, including:
Nutritional Support
Cancer can deplete essential nutrients in the body, and every cancer has a unique metabolic signature. Some cancers survive on fats or proteins, while others thrive on sugars. Jennifer Bouchard identifies deficiencies that may promote cancer growth and provides tailored dietary advice based on your specific cancer’s metabolic signature to strengthen the body and enhance the immune system. By focusing on nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods, we optimize the body’s ability to heal and combat cancer.
Hormonal Balance
Many types of cancer are influenced by hormone imbalances. Functional medicine can address these imbalances by normalizing and detoxifying harmful hormones, particularly toxic forms of estrogen, potentially slowing or halting cancer progression. Hormone regulation can also help minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.
Immune Support
Cancer often suppresses the immune system’s ability to detect and fight abnormal cells. By strengthening the immune system through nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes, we improve the body’s ability to fight cancer naturally. Since 70–80% of the immune system lies in the gut, optimizing gut health is essential for treatment success.
Detoxification
Detoxification protocols help reduce the toxic burden in the body. We address environmental toxins, chemotherapy byproducts, and dietary pollutants, assisting the body in clearing harmful substances through optimized detoxification pathways and improving overall health.
Reducing Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation is a key driver of cancer. By addressing systemic inflammation through dietary changes, lifestyle improvements, and functional medicine protocols, we reduce and control inflammation that directly impacts cancer growth and proliferation.
Through functional medicine, we support the body’s natural healing processes and provide the foundation for a successful and lasting battle against cancer.
Complementary Cancer Therapies: Supporting the Whole Person
Incorporating complementary therapies with conventional cancer treatments can provide significant benefits, including reducing side effects, supporting emotional health, and improving overall quality of life. These therapies are designed to support the body’s natural healing processes and improve the patient’s well-being during cancer treatment.
At Hyperion Functional Medicine, we integrate a range of complementary therapies through our remote consultation services, including:
Nutritional Support and Supplementation
A balanced diet is vital during cancer treatment. At Hyperion Functional Medicine, we develop personalized nutritional plans through virtual consultations that help our patients manage the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Proper nutrition supports the immune system, detoxification, and energy levels while helping to manage fatigue, nausea, and appetite loss.
We also incorporate targeted supplementation to improve health outcomes. Patients in our Phase 1 Functional Oncology Program typically take 5 to 10 supplements daily as part of their comprehensive treatment plan. These prescribed supplements impact your cancer hallmarks directly, supported by research for decreasing or stopping cancer proliferation.
Mind-Body Therapies
The connection between mind and body is powerful. Mind-body therapies such as stress reduction techniques help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression—common challenges during cancer treatment. These therapies also promote emotional healing, which is just as important as physical healing. Stress reduction practices promote relaxation, improve focus, and can boost immune function while reducing cortisol levels that can suppress the body’s immune response.
Off-Label Pharmaceutical Support
When indicated, we utilize prescribed off-label pharmaceuticals to treat cancer, including Statins, Mebendazole, Ivermectin, LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone), and Metformin to support your conventional treatment plan.
Detoxification Protocols
Environmental and treatment-related toxins can accumulate in the body and worsen cancer symptoms. At Hyperion Functional Medicine, Jennifer Bouchard offers detoxification protocols through telehealth visits to help clear these harmful substances. Our personalized detox programs use a combination of diet, supplementation, and lifestyle changes to support the body’s natural detox processes, helping patients regain vitality and overall health.
Why Choose Integrative Cancer Treatment at Hyperion Functional Medicine?
At Hyperion Functional Medicine, we don’t just treat cancer—we aim to improve the entire patient experience through our comprehensive virtual functional oncology practice. Jennifer Bouchard helps patients in eNLC states through remote consultations to:
- Enhance the Healing Process: The combination of therapies supports the body’s natural healing mechanisms, promoting faster recovery and better long-term health.
- Reduce Side Effects: Our complementary therapies help mitigate the often-debilitating side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
- Improve Quality of Life: Addressing not just the disease, but the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of cancer, helps patients feel more in control of their health.
- Support Long-Term Health: We believe in lifelong wellness, not just remission. Through functional medicine, we empower patients to take charge of their health long after cancer treatment ends.
By choosing integrative cancer treatment, you choose a path that supports every aspect of your healing journey.
Our Comprehensive Approach
Our Phase 1 Functional Oncology Program provides care over eight months to one year and includes:
- Initial 2-hour visit and two subsequent 60–90-minute follow-up appointments with Jennifer Bouchard, NP, MPH, IFMCP
- Three 60-minute visits with a certified health coach
- Three 1-hour Cancer Nutrition Appointments
- Specialized testing, including stool analysis, nutritional testing, and cancer-specific labs
- Discount on all prescribed supplements through medical-grade supplement company Fullscript
- Individualized lifestyle recommendations for diet, sleep, stress, and exercise
- Direct patient portal messaging
- Provider time conducting research specific to your cancer history and treatment
Note: Patients located in Ohio may also access holistic psychotherapy through our care network. Patients in other states are encouraged to work with their own therapist as part of their overall support plan.
How to Get Started with Integrative Cancer Care
If you are considering integrative cancer care, the first step is to schedule a free 30-minute Personalized Cancer Healing Pathway appointment through our virtual consultation platform. During this remote consultation, Jennifer Bouchard will:
- Review your cancer history and current treatment plan
- Identify potential underlying factors contributing to your cancer
- Develop a personalized, integrative treatment plan tailored to your needs
At Hyperion Functional Medicine, Jennifer Bouchard works alongside your oncologist and healthcare team through telehealth visits to ensure that all aspects of your care are coordinated for the best possible outcome.
Your Journey to Healing Begins Today
Integrating conventional and alternative medicine provides a holistic approach to cancer care that addresses not only the cancer but the person as a whole. By incorporating integrative cancer treatments, you can enhance your healing, reduce the side effects of treatment, and improve your overall quality of life.
At Hyperion Functional Medicine, serving Fremont, IN, and beyond through virtual consultations and telehealth visits, we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized remote care that empowers you to take control of your health and healing journey. Jennifer Bouchard, a former provider at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine (2017–2022) and one of nearly 2,400 IFM Certified Providers (IFMCP), can see patients in eNLC states through our secure virtual consultation platform.
Take the first step toward your cancer care journey today. Integrating conventional oncology treatments with alternative therapies offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to cancer care that addresses the full spectrum of patient needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Schedule your free virtual call and begin your personalized functional oncology journey. Jennifer Bouchard is ready to help you explore how integrative cancer care can support your healing and improve your quality of life during treatment.