Healing Beyond Chemo: MB News Explores the Future of Cancer Care with Holistic Therapies
- Emilia Lujan
- Feb 19
- 4 min read
The Cancer Care Revolution is Here—Are You Keeping Up?
80% of cancer patients now seek complementary therapies alongside conventional treatments.
Most oncologists aren’t trained to guide them.
Patients are left navigating holistic care on their own.
Healthcare professionals risk falling behind if they don’t adapt.
Patients no longer accept a “one-size-fits-all” approach. They want to know:
How can I reduce chemo side effects naturally?
What role does nutrition play?
Are there safer, evidence-based holistic therapies that work?
This shift in patient expectations is undeniable. If you’re a healthcare provider, wellness entrepreneur, or oncology specialist, understanding and integrating holistic care into your practice is no longer optional—it’s essential.
This discussion is inspired by a recent MBNews episode featuring Leslie Nygaard and Mark Brown, co-founders of DermaVitality. They share invaluable insights on bridging conventional cancer treatments with holistic healing.
You can watch the full live recording here:
At MBNews, we recently spoke with two leaders in integrative oncology:
Leslie Nygaard, a stage 3 breast cancer survivor turned naturopathic nutritionist.
Mark Brown, an oncology nurse who saw firsthand the need for holistic cancer support.
Together, they co-founded DermaVitality, a brand dedicated to bridging the gap between conventional cancer treatments and holistic healing.
In this blog post, we’ll break down:
The science behind integrative oncology (with research-backed proof)
How leading cancer centers are embracing holistic therapies
What YOU can do as a healthcare provider to stay ahead
If you’re ready to learn how to help patients heal better, reduce treatment side effects, and position yourself at the forefront of this shift—keep reading.
What is Integrative Oncology? (And Why Should You Care?)
Integrative oncology isn’t about rejecting conventional medicine—it’s about enhancing it with science-backed complementary therapies like:
Acupuncture & acupressure → Proven to reduce pain & nausea
Mindfulness & meditation → Shown to lower stress & anxiety in cancer patients
Nutrition therapy → Optimized diets can reduce inflammation & improve outcomes
Massage therapy → Helps with pain management & recovery
Holistic skincare → Reduces radiation burns & chemotherapy-related skin damage
Recent Scientific Evidence:
The IMPACT Trial (2023) found that acupuncture reduced cancer pain by 2.53 points on the pain scale, and massage therapy decreased pain scores by 3.01 points.
City of Hope launched the Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology, focusing on holistic cancer care and natural plant-based therapies.
Yet, many doctors still dismiss these therapies as “unproven”—even though major institutions now endorse them.
"Patients deserve a treatment plan that goes beyond surgery and chemo," says Mark Brown. "They need care that treats their whole body—mind, spirit, and immune system."
If you’re a healthcare professional who’s not integrating holistic care into your practice, you’re missing a massive opportunity to help your patients—AND to set yourself apart in an evolving industry.
The Patient Shift: Why Holistic Care is No Longer Optional
Today’s patients are different; they are educated, proactive, and no longer willing to be passive in their healing journeys.
Statistics That Matter:
40% of cancer patients actively seek holistic treatments without guidance from their doctors.
This means:
Patients are turning to alternative medicine websites, social media, and self-proclaimed “wellness gurus” for advice.
Many doctors and nurses are losing trust because they don’t offer holistic options.
Health professionals who fail to adapt will fall behind.
"When I was diagnosed with cancer, I felt out of control," says Leslie Nygaard. "But when I incorporated nutrition, stress reduction, and natural skincare into my healing, I finally felt like I was actively participating in my own recovery."
Solution: Be the Trusted Expert.
To maintain trust and authority, it is essential to guide your patients with evidence-based holistic options before they turn to unreliable sources.
This is where MBP can help.
How to Stay Ahead: 3 Steps for Integrating Holistic Oncology Into Your Practice
1. Educate Yourself on the Science of Integrative Therapies
Believing in holistic care is not enough—you need data-driven proof to back it up.
Mayo Clinic research confirms that mindfulness-based stress reduction reduces anxiety & depression in cancer patients.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) now includes acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy in their official cancer care guidelines.
Studies show that nutrition plays a critical role in treatment success, yet 70% of oncologists receive little to no formal nutrition training.
Action Step:
Stay ahead of the curve. Follow trusted sources like the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO), City of Hope, and Mayo Clinic.
MBP’s Content Curator service can help you publish high-impact, research-backed content to position yourself as a leader in this space. Learn more here.
2. Offer Complementary Therapies for Symptom Management
Fact: 95% of cancer patients who use integrative therapies report fewer side effects.
Patients are desperate for relief from:
Radiation burns
Chronic pain
Chemo-induced nausea
Fatigue & stress
Action Step: Recommend trusted, evidence-based holistic solutions.
For Radiation Burns, Natural, plant-based skin creams like DermaVitality have been shown to reduce skin damage and inflammation.
For Pain Relief: Acupuncture & massage therapy are now officially recommended by ASCO.
For Nausea & Fatigue: Nutrition plans incorporating ginger, turmeric, and adaptogens have shown significant benefits.
"We saw patients suffering with radiation burns and nothing helped," says Mark Brown. "That’s why we created DermaVitality—to give patients a natural, effective solution to protect their skin during treatment."
3. Establish Your Online Presence as a Leader in Integrative Oncology
If you’re not online, you’re invisible.
77% of patients research doctors online before booking an appointment.
If your brand doesn’t reflect your expertise, you lose trust and business.
MBP helps wellness professionals like you:
Create high-impact content that builds credibility
Grow an engaged audience of ideal patients
Develop a powerful, patient-focused brand that stands out
Action Step:
Final Thoughts: The Future of Cancer Care is Integrative—Are You Ready?
Holistic cancer care isn’t just a trend—it’s the future.
Patients demand it.
Major cancer centers endorse it.
Healthcare professionals who embrace it will thrive.
The question is: Will you lead this movement—or get left behind?
Let’s map out a plan to grow your brand and impact more lives.
Your patients are searching for answers. It’s time to step up and guide them.
Emilia Luhan,
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