Evidence-informed naturopathic support to help manage treatment-related symptoms, improve quality of life, and support nutrition, lifestyle, recovery, and supplement safety alongside your oncology care.
Supportive cancer care can provide additional guidance during treatment, after treatment, and into survivorship, with a focus on managing treatment-related symptoms, supporting quality of life, and helping you navigate nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement safety alongside your oncology care.
Dr. Irina Chan, ND provides evidence-informed naturopathic support for people with a confirmed cancer diagnosis or oncology treatment plan. Care may include support for symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, joint pain, hot flashes, hair loss, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, mood changes, appetite changes, and other treatment-related concerns.
To understand what you are experiencing, Dr. Irina Chan, ND reviews your current symptoms, health history, diet, lifestyle, medications, supplements, bloodwork, and relevant oncology records. Factors such as nutrient status, digestive health, blood sugar regulation, hormonal health, inflammation, and overall recovery may also be considered when clinically relevant.
Supportive cancer care is provided alongside your standard oncology treatment. Your oncologist and oncology team remain responsible for your cancer diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. Supplement and medication safety is central to this approach, with careful screening for potential interactions between natural health products, medications, and cancer treatments.
The symptoms and concerns I commonly support include:
Supportive cancer care may benefit individuals who are preparing for surgery, currently undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy, or moving through recovery and survivorship.
During active treatment, support may focus on helping you manage treatment-related side effects, maintain adequate nutrition and hydration, support sleep and energy, and navigate medication and supplement safety. Between treatment cycles, additional symptom and lifestyle support may also be helpful.
Support is not limited to active treatment. During recovery and survivorship, care may include evidence-informed guidance related to energy, sleep, digestion, hormone health, weight management, cardiovascular and bone health, cognitive changes, emotional well-being, nutrition, and returning to daily routines.
Every recommendation is individualized based on your diagnosis, current treatment, health status, medications, bloodwork, symptoms, and guidance from your oncology team.
Initial Assessment
During the initial assessment, I take time to review your diagnosis, treatment plan, and current stage of care, whether you are preparing for treatment, actively undergoing treatment, or transitioning into recovery or survivorship.
We will discuss your main symptoms, personal priorities, and quality-of-life concerns. I also review relevant medications, supplements, bloodwork, imaging reports, and oncology notes to build a complete picture of your health and support safe, coordinated care.
Together, we will also discuss nutrition, sleep, stress, movement, hydration, and other lifestyle factors that can influence how you feel and function during and after treatment.
Safety Screening
Safety is a foundational part of my approach. Before making a recommendation, I screen for possible interactions between supplements, foods, medications, and cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and other prescribed therapies.
If a recommendation could affect your oncology treatment, I will encourage review with your oncologist, oncology pharmacist, or care team before moving forward.
Personalized Recommendations
Based on your assessment, I develop a personalized supportive care plan that may include nutrition and lifestyle guidance, acupuncture, and supplements when appropriate.
Recommendations are considered in the context of your diagnosis, current treatment, medications, symptoms, lab results, and available safety information, and are intended to support—not replace—the care you are receiving from your oncology team.
Ongoing Monitoring
At follow-up visits, I monitor your symptoms, tolerance, response to recommendations, relevant bloodwork, and any changes in your oncology treatment plan. Your supportive care plan is adjusted as needed.
If your symptoms suggest that medical assessment is required, you will be directed back to your oncology team, family doctor, or urgent medical care as appropriate.
Your safety guides every decision we make together. Before recommending supplements or botanical medicines, I carefully screen for potential interactions with medications and cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and other prescribed therapies.
This review may consider treatment timing, dosage, absorption, metabolism, and potential effects on liver, kidney, and immune function. Your current medications, supplements, oncology treatment plan, and relevant bloodwork are reviewed before recommendations are made.
Throughout care, your response and relevant lab results may be monitored to help keep recommendations appropriate as your treatment plan changes.
It is important to follow your oncology team’s guidance and not start, stop, or change supplements during cancer treatment without first discussing them with your oncology team.
Bloodwork may be recommended to assess your overall health and identify factors that could be contributing to digestive symptoms, such as nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, thyroid dysfunction, liver function, or celiac disease.
These results can help identify areas that may require further support and guide treatment recommendations.
SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, breath testing measures hydrogen and methane gases produced by bacteria in the small intestine.
It may be recommended when symptoms suggest small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, including bloating, excessive reflux and gas, abdominal discomfort, or changes in bowel habits.
The results can help determine whether targeted treatment may be appropriate.
Your existing oncology bloodwork and medical investigations are an important part of the assessment. When available, we will review bloodwork and lab results from your oncology team alongside your symptoms, medications, treatment plan, and health history.
Complete Blood Count
A complete blood count can provide information about red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, and white blood cells. These markers may be relevant when assessing concerns such as anemia, fatigue, infection risk, and treatment tolerance.
White Blood Cell Count
White blood cell counts are commonly monitored during cancer treatment because some therapies can suppress bone marrow function. Results are interpreted in the context of your oncology treatment and care plan.
Liver Function
Liver function markers can help your healthcare team assess how your liver is functioning while processing medications and other substances. These results are considered when reviewing the safety of supportive recommendations.
Kidney Function
Kidney function testing helps assess how well the kidneys are filtering blood and processing medications and waste. Kidney health is an important consideration when reviewing supplements and other supportive therapies.
Nutrient Status
Depending on your symptoms and health history, markers such as iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D may be reviewed because nutrient deficiencies can contribute to concerns such as fatigue, cognition, mood, immune function, and bone health.
Metabolic Markers
Markers such as lipids, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HbA1c may be reviewed when relevant to your overall metabolic and cardiovascular health and to guide individualized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations.
Functional Testing
In select cases, additional testing such as hormone testing or comprehensive stool analysis may be considered to better understand concerns related to hormone metabolism, the gut microbiome, or digestive health.
Not every patient needs additional functional testing, and unnecessary testing is avoided. Any additional testing is intended to complement—not replace—oncology investigations and cancer surveillance.
On your first visit, we begin by gaining an in-depth understanding of your digestive symptoms and overall health.
We will review your medical history, diet, lifestyle, relevant lab work, and any treatments you have tried in the past.
Please bring your current or past supplements, medications, and lab results to this initial appointment.
You will receive initial recommendations during this 75-minute session, and additional testing through LifeLabs or at-home kits may be recommended when appropriate.
Your first follow-up visit typically takes place approximately 2 to 4 weeks later and lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
During this appointment, we will evaluate your response to the initial recommendations and make any necessary modifications to support continued progress.
We may also review additional lab work to gain a deeper understanding of factors contributing to your symptoms and discuss next steps based on those results.
A second follow-up visit is recommended approximately 6 to 8 weeks after your initial visit to assess your response to your personalized treatment plan and discuss longer-term strategies that support digestive health.
Beyond 12 weeks, we may transition to periodic follow-up visits every 3 to 6 months to maintain your results, make appropriate adjustments, and support your ongoing wellness goals.
Nutrition Recommendations
Nutrition recommendations are based on your appetite, symptoms, treatment plan, and individual nutrient needs. Practical strategies may focus on maintaining adequate calories, protein, and hydration while adapting meal timing and food choices for concerns such as nausea, low appetite, taste changes, or digestive upset.
During recovery and survivorship, nutrition recommendations may also support general health, energy, bone health, cardiovascular health, and a sustainable return to regular eating patterns.
Lifestyle Recommendations
Lifestyle recommendations may be used to support energy, sleep, stress, mood, and quality of life. Depending on your needs and stage of care, these may include sleep hygiene, gentle supportive movement, energy-conservation strategies, stress-management techniques, and practical routines that fit around treatment.
Supplements and Botanical Medicine
Supplements and botanical medicines may be considered selectively when clinically appropriate, such as when addressing an identified nutrient deficiency or a specific treatment-related symptom.
Recommendations are made only after reviewing your diagnosis, current oncology treatment, medications, health status, and potential interaction risks. When safety or compatibility questions arise, recommendations should be reviewed with the oncology team before use.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be considered as part of supportive care when appropriate. Whether acupuncture is suitable depends on your diagnosis, current treatment, blood counts, overall health, and individual risk factors.
Education and Care Coordination
Education is provided on recognizing symptoms or side effects that should be reported to your oncology team promptly. Care may also be coordinated with physicians, oncology pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, counsellors, and other healthcare providers when appropriate.
Collaboration is an important part of supportive cancer care. With your consent, I may review relevant medical information, including recent bloodwork, lab results, clinical notes, prescriptions, and oncology treatment information, to help ensure recommendations are appropriate.
You are encouraged to speak with your oncology team whenever you have questions about supplements or complementary therapies. When safety or interaction concerns arise, proposed recommendations can be communicated to your oncology team or oncology pharmacist for review.
I respect and support the treatments and timelines recommended by your oncologist. Your oncologist remains the primary provider overseeing your cancer diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance.
When needed, care may also be coordinated with your family doctor, dietitian, counsellor, physiotherapist, pharmacist, or emergency services to help ensure timely and appropriate care.
Initial Appointment
Your first cancer care support appointment is a 90-minute session focused on understanding your diagnosis, current treatment plan and timeline, symptoms, concerns, and health goals.
We will review your medical history, allergies, current medications, supplements, recent bloodwork or lab results, and relevant treatments or therapies you have used in the past.
Please bring a list of your medications and supplements—or the bottles themselves—along with relevant lab results, oncology reports, and your current treatment plan if available.
Initial recommendations, such as symptom-management or nutrition strategies, may be provided during the first visit. Other recommendations may require further review of your records or communication with your oncology team, particularly when safety or interaction concerns are identified.
Additional bloodwork through LifeLabs may be recommended when clinically appropriate.
Follow-Up Appointments
Your first follow-up visit typically takes place 2 to 4 weeks after your initial appointment and lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
During this visit, we evaluate your response to initial recommendations, review any new treatment, lab work, or symptom changes, and adjust your plan as needed.
A second follow-up is generally recommended 6 to 8 weeks after the initial appointment to more fully assess your response and discuss longer-term symptom-management and well-being strategies.
Beyond 12 weeks, care may transition to periodic follow-up visits approximately every 1 to 3 months, depending on your treatment plan, symptoms, changing needs, and new lab results.
Wherever you are in your cancer care journey, you deserve compassionate, evidence-informed support that is tailored to you and coordinated with the medical care you are already receiving.
Dr. Irina Chan, ND has more than six years of clinical experience and a background in biochemical and cancer research. Her training includes a clinical internship at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine’s Integrative Cancer Clinic, as well as volunteer experience at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre in the lung cancer unit.
Working closely with you and your oncology team, the goal is to help you monitor and manage symptoms, support nutrition and energy, review medication and supplement safety, and provide a clear supportive plan that fits your current stage of care.
Every recommendation is considered in the context of your oncology treatment plan, with a focus on safety, quality of life, and coordinated care.
Patients must have a confirmed cancer diagnosis or oncology treatment plan before booking a cancer care support appointment. Please bring or provide your current medication and supplement list, relevant bloodwork, oncology reports, and treatment information before or at your first visit.
Supportive cancer care means receiving additional care alongside your conventional oncology treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy. The goal is to help manage symptoms and treatment-related side effects, support nutrition and quality of life, and provide evidence-informed guidance that is coordinated with your oncology care.
No. My recommendations are intended to help manage symptoms and side effects and support your overall well-being during treatment and recovery. Your oncology team continues to lead your cancer diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance.
No. Naturopathic care does not replace chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or other oncology treatments. My role is to provide supportive care alongside these treatments while your oncology team continues to lead your cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Yes. Supportive care may be provided during chemotherapy or radiation when appropriate. Care can include nutrition and lifestyle guidance, symptom support, review of supplements and medications for potential interactions, and coordination with your oncology team.
Fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbances, and digestive changes such as constipation or diarrhea can occur during cancer treatment. Support may include individualized nutrition and lifestyle strategies based on your treatment plan and overall health. Severe, new, or worsening symptoms should always be reported to your oncology team promptly.
Not all supplements are appropriate during cancer treatment. Some supplements can interact with medications or oncology therapies. Supplements are reviewed in the context of your diagnosis, medications, treatment plan, and available safety information before being recommended. Do not start, stop, or change supplements during cancer treatment without discussing them with your oncology team.
Yes. Reviewing your current supplements and medications for potential interactions is an important part of supportive cancer care. Please bring a complete list of everything you are taking so it can be reviewed alongside your oncology treatment plan.
Yes, with your consent, communication with your oncologist, oncology pharmacist, or other members of your healthcare team may occur when needed to clarify safety, interactions, or coordination of care.
Please bring a list of your medications and supplements—or the bottles themselves—along with your current oncology treatment plan and any relevant bloodwork, biopsy results, imaging, or oncology reports that are available.
No. Additional testing is only recommended when it is likely to meaningfully guide supportive care. Existing oncology investigations and bloodwork are reviewed first, and unnecessary testing is avoided.
Yes. Support during recovery and survivorship may focus on concerns that persist after treatment, such as fatigue, brain fog, neuropathy, digestive concerns, sleep disturbances, mood changes, joint pain, weight changes, or hot flashes, as well as nutrition, lifestyle, and long-term health goals.
Yes. Virtual supportive cancer care appointments are available through Higher Health Naturopathic Centre & IV Lounge for Ontario residents. Please call (416) 482-0707 or use the Toronto online booking link.
The first follow-up is typically scheduled 2 to 4 weeks after the initial visit, followed by another follow-up around 6 to 8 weeks after the initial appointment. Beyond 12 weeks, follow-ups may be scheduled approximately every 1 to 3 months depending on your treatment, symptoms, needs, and new lab results.
Contact your oncology team or seek urgent medical attention for symptoms such as fever or signs of infection during treatment; new or worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, or severe weakness; uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea; dehydration or inability to eat or drink; unusual bleeding or bruising; blood in urine, stool, or vomit; sudden swelling; severe uncontrolled pain; new neurological symptoms; or any symptom your oncology team has instructed you to report immediately.
