Frequently Asked Questions
We’d love to be your partner along your journey towards vibrant health discovering how to impact change through root cause discovery. Please review frequently asked questions listed below and feel free to contact our staff for any other questions via email or phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Functional Oncology treatment platform is based on The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) standards of practice which are aimed at targeting the root cause of disease. The same is true for functional oncology. We are not just interested in treating symptoms or cancer as a diagnosis with a drug or radiation treatment. The whole person is considered in addressing imbalances in the body. There are very few practices in the country focusing on functional medicine and using it as a platform to treat cancer. The “functional oncology” platform Jennifer Bouchard developed for the Hyperion Functional Medicine Functional Oncology Program evolved out of her clinical experience as a certified functional medicine provider at the Center for Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and the hands-on experience she had with my daughter during her cancer journey with Stage 4 nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. We take the proactive steps identified by the IFM to diagnose and treat the root cause(s), then further dive into the research-based causes, contributors and roots of cancer. Central to the program is understanding the cancer hallmarks which drive cancer occurrence and cancer cell production, then applying the roots of chronic disease to cancer manifestation. Functional oncology is being shown to impact cancer treatment outcomes and recovery when we look at our functional oncology treatment plans.
The focus of functional medicine is the person, their specific symptoms and the root causes of these symptoms leading to chronic disease. Personalized treatment plans are tailored to impact the patient’s root cause of their symptoms. The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) standard of practice is aimed at targeting the root cause of disease. Diagnosing the root cause and treating the whole person and their personal contributing roots as indicated by a detailed history and testing is central to the plan. Chronic disease has roots, cancer is also a chronic disease.
Cancer has many roots and each one of the roots has effects on specific cancer hallmarks which directly impact cancer growth characteristics. All will be addressed in our functional oncology platform:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Inflammatory diet
- Environmental toxins
- Chronic infections
- Toxic emotions
- Phytonutrient deficiencies
- I. dysbiosis and malabsorption
- HPA axis dysfunction
- Hormone imbalance
In Western oncology, you are led to take short-, and probably long-term, steps, multiple treatment protocols, using chemicals/pharmaceuticals, surgeries and radiation to heal your body from cancer. All are put into place to improve your cancer survival outcome.
The roots of cancer are never addressed in Western oncology platforms. In functional oncology, the cancer roots are addressed to directly impact cancer specific characteristics. If they are not addressed, cancer may not be eliminated, recurrence of cancer can, and will likely, occur.
- Learn how and why to live a healthier lifestyle.
- Learn ways to remove inflammation that can and does impact cancer growth and proliferation from your body.
- Learn how to detoxify your body and impact your genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that, when activated, lead to inability to fully detoxify.
- Learn how specific foods and eating habits can encourage cancer growth and occurrence, and how strategic and research-based nutrition plans work to promote cancer recovery and offer a chance at lifelong remission.
- Learn stress reduction techniques to reduce the stress hormone cortisol which, at high levels, will continue to impact cancer growth and proliferation.
- Learn ways to heal the gut and reduce inflammation, impact chronic disease and ultimately optimize the immune system.
- Learn how hormones can become harmful, particularly toxic forms of estrogen in hormone driven cancers.
- Learn ultimately to optimize your cancer microenvironment, decreasing the chance of cancer growth, proliferation and recurrence.
- Cancer patients and survivors learn to optimize the soil, or cancer microenvironment, that contains their cancer roots.
- Learn how and why to you need to live a healthier lifestyle.
- Learn how to take steps to decrease inflammation impacting cancer growth and
- Learn how to optimize detoxification in your body.
- Learn about nutrition deficits and support your nutrition to impact cancer recovery and long-term remission.
- Learn stress reduction techniques to impact cancer growth and proliferation.
- Heal the gut and optimize the immune system.
- Normalize and potentially detoxify harmful hormones, particularly toxic forms of estrogen.
Cancer cells have increased sensitivity to growth factors which increase production of cancer cells. Diet is a major factor affecting growth factor levels and can influence the onset and development of cancers.
Add more plant foods to your diet, these contain anti-inflammatory agents called phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are “anti-oncogenic” in other words they turn off cancer growth. They also contain antioxidants and fiber that will help reduce your cancer risk.
References: Chen KL, Jung P, Kulkoyluoglu-Cotul E, Liguori C, Lumibao J, Mazewski C, Ranard K, Rowles JL 3rd, Wang Y, Xue L, Madak-Erdogan Z. Impact of Diet and Nutrition on Cancer Hallmarks. J Cancer Prev Curr Res. 2017;7(4):240. doi: 10.15406/jcpcr.2017.07.00240. Epub 2017 Feb 17. PMID: 30581989; PMCID: PMC6301051
Cancers come back when small numbers of cancer cells remain in the body after treatment. These cells are too small to find with current tests. Over time, they can multiply and grow enough to cause symptoms or be found by testing is to underlying roots driving cancer are not addressed. Optimizing the cancer microenvironment, where the roots live and were cancer cells thrive has a direct impact on cancer reoccurrence. Recent studies show when cancer cells die, they leave behind signals that can increase the growth of the cells they’ve left behind. The growth needs to be triggered to occur or recur in your body by known causes of cancer.
Oncology pharmaceutical treatments are based on five-year survival rates, not cure rates. Unfortunately, within the latest standards of care, many Western pharmaceutical and other treatment plans are not a cure for your cancer. Particularly if your cancer has metastasized.
References: https://ccr.cancer.gov/news/article/signals-released-from-dying-cancer-cells-accelerate-metastatic-tumor-growth). (Haak VM, Huang S, Panigrahy D. Debris-stimulated tumor growth: a Pandora's box? Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2021 Sep;40(3):791-801. doi: 10.1007/s10555-021-09998-8. Epub 2021 Oct 19. PMID: 34665387; PMCID: PMC8524220.)
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, are in current treatment for cancer (stage one, stage II, stage III, and stage IV.), have been told you are in remission from cancer, you are at high risk for getting cancer, or you are concerned that your cancer will come back. We do not see patients under the age of 18.
To be seen in the virtual program, you must live in Ohio, and any of the following compact nursing states: Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Maine, Vermont, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Kansas, Tennessee, Arizona, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Wisconsin.
To get started, schedule a free Inspiration Encounter with Jennifer Bouchard via the Hyperion Functional Medicine website to briefly review your cancer and treatment history, your goals and the overall functional oncology program.
If you’re tired of shuffling from doctor to doctor without ever getting to the root of your chronic health issues, and if you want to optimize your health holistically through sound lifestyle modifications, advanced lab testing, and mind-body techniques without unnecessary medications, then our program may just be what you’ve been looking for all along. Just know that it takes a serious commitment to make the lifestyle changes necessary to transform your health once and for all.
Functional Oncology follows the path of functional medicine with a specialized focus on a "person centered health care plan" that revolves around the cancer diagnosis and current stage of treatment or recovery.
The plan focus is described in full on the front page.
As a prospective patient, you may wonder about additional costs not included in our program fee. Bloodwork is covered by insurance if your insurance plan pays for bloodwork typically. It is always best to ask your insurance company ahead of time if there are any questions regarding coverage. Most labs are drawn from Quest Diagnostics which we are integrated with at this time. Advanced functional lab testing may not be covered by insurance but will many times provide essential information in addressing root cause issues. We are always mindful of the added costs and will work with your budget. Here are a few examples of the functional lab tests and pricing that you would expect. Click on each individual test to learn more about how it can help address root cause issues:
GI MAP for in depth evaluation of gut function and microbiome $287
Lactulose breath test to diagnose SIBO (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) $179
https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test
$415.00
https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/gplmycotox
Mycotoxins profile (mold Exposure)
$249.00
Urine toxic and essential elements $99
We know that you’ve likely been to other providers before that may have already run lab tests. That’s why during our comprehensive intake consultation, we will review any existing lab results – so that we can determine if additional, more advanced lab testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
In terms of supplements, we may recommend certain pharmaceutical-grade supplements for a limited time to support your body’s innate healing process. But long-term, we believe that supplements can’t make up for a poor lifestyle – so our intent is to get you off unnecessary supplements and unneeded prescription meds as soon as possible by optimizing your diet and lifestyle so that unnecessary supplements can be discontinued. We use Fullscript to help minimize your effort in finding these supplements from various sources. It is a one stop online supplement shop. You are always welcome to find recommended products on your own. There will be added discounts to the supplements if you are a member. For example, the Deluxe membership comes with a 30% discount of supplements through the Fullscript website and the Active membership comes with a 20% discount on the Fullscript website.
During your complementary Personalized Cancer Healing Pathway, Jen determines whether partnering with our team is the best next step for you. She go over any questions you may have about our approach, and how it differs from what you’ve tried before – so you feel comfortable about the journey ahead.
A health coach works collaboratively with patients using an individual holistic, client directed approach, addressing the root causes that hold them back from their goals. This allows clients to explore their motivation for positive behavior change & get on the right path to wellness. Whether it is overcoming a bad habit with better lifestyle choices, learning how to build stress resilience, choosing the right exercise routine or finding a way to balance and budget self care, our amazing health coach can help with your unique situation. She has extensive training in functional medicine, health and fitness. Her credentials include the following: National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach . She would love to discuss your health goals and come up with a solution to help you “Hyperion” the best version of you. To learn more about what a health and wellness coach can do to improve health outcomes, click here.
Scheduling & Visits
During your initial consultation, Jennifer Bouchard will carefully review your medical history obtained via questionnaires sent to your portal for you to fill out prior to the initial visit, then discuss potential diagnostic and treatment avenues to address your health concerns. Jennifer Bouchard will discuss the necessary lab tests and provide information and options for scheduling your follow-up appointments.
Your initial visit at Hyperion Functional Medicine and follow up visits can be done virtually as long as it is considered acceptable for the nature of care delivered to the patient. This is evaluated initially during the Inspiration Encounter and at each subsequent visit. All patients must have address in the state of Ohio to be seen at this time.
There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for all appointments with all members of Hyperion Functional Medicine including Jennifer Bouchard , the health coach or holistic psychotherapist. Canceling within 24-hours will result in a $75 charge to the credit card on file.
No-shows: If you do not show up to a video/telemedicine or in person appointment without notifying the specific person you have an appointment with either via phone or by changing the appointment using the online scheduling tool on the website, you will be charged $75 with the credit card on file.
Billing & Insurance
Because we do not provide primary care services, it is important to note the following:
- We are not in-network with any insurance plan and therefore do not fulfill an insurance company’s requirement for an in-network primary care physician.
- We are not available for same-day acute emergency appointments; please call your primary care physician, your specialist or 911 for acute illnesses.
- We do not have a 24-hour answering service and do not take calls on weekends. If you need to be seen urgently or have a medical emergency you will need to visit an urgent care center or an emergency room.
- Most lab tests ordered by Jennifer Bouchard and Hyperion Functional Medicine will be billed directly to your insurance by the lab.
- Some lab tests we offer as part of our functional medicine or functional oncology testing program may not be covered by insurance and in these cases you will be charged a fee for a particular test by the lab or through RUPA, the vendor we use for all kit type lab tests, except for a few special testing kits, will be discussed at time of visit.
- The specific tests ordered will be personalized to you based on your initial evaluation by Jennifer Bouchard ANP at Hyperion Functional Medicine and may include blood, saliva, urine, or stool testing.
- We will make every effort to make you fully aware of any additional lab fees that may be incurred and to give you the opportunity to choose which lab tests you feel comfortable paying for.
- You are under no obligation to purchase any specialty testing.
- Should any lab results indicate you may need further testing you will be directed to care with a relevant specialist and/or continue care with Jennifer Bouchard PA-C at Hyperion Functional Medicine.
- At home test kits: if a lab test kit is mailed to you by Hyperion Functional Medicine, you will be charged the day the kit is mailed.
- If your particular insurance company only pays for blood work done at a particular lab facility, like LabCorp or Quest, you must inform us of this in advance of having blood work done. Most insurance plans cover labs done by major national labs. If you do not have insurance or if your insurance does not cover lab testing, Hyperion Functional Medicine can direct you to alternative options for lab testing.
Hyperion Functional Medicine strives to provide you with the most effective and medically advanced techniques available. We are here for you…to help you finally reach your desired health goals.
When we speak over the phone during the Inspiration Encounter , we’ll assess whether this program is right for you…and answer any questions you may have. Simply pick a time and date that works best for you!