After becoming an ND, I hit my own health roadblock when blindsided with a diagnosis of acute leukemia that completely derailed my life.  It was a deeply humbling, difficult, and strange, but life-altering journey that ultimately catapulted me into feeling more whole and alive than I have ever felt.  While I was fortunate to have an incredible oncology team that I feel indebted to every day, I had firsthand experience of what areas in oncology care could be improved upon from a patient's perspective, many of which lie outside the scope of what is offered in the conventional care model.

With improved screening techniques, earlier diagnosis, and advances in cancer treatment, a large portion of those diagnosed with cancer are living longer, with an increasing number of people being classified as 'survivors' (a term with a complex definition). 

However, patients often feel the support by healthcare providers abruptly ends at the cessation of active treatment when many enter 'survivorship'.  Despite many institutions recommending Survivorship Care Plans, it is uncommon for those completing treatment to receive one.  Primary healthcare providers are often left in the dark with respect to guidance on appropriate measures in long-term post-cancer surveillance and late-treatment-effect care. 

This transition to 'survivorship', a time that is generally thought to be exciting and relieving for someone who has had cancer, can then understandably often be clouded by confusion, increased fear, and lack of education and awareness of methods to improve overall health with hopes of preventing recurrence. Survivorship guidelines are inconsistent, due to the complex, heterogeneous and wide-reaching needs of those who have completed cancer treatment.  Allied health professionals, in particular NDs, can offer comprehensive, individualized health plans, based on unbiased, holistic education on sustainable and actionable prevention methods, filling this gap in care.