Integrative medicine is defined as healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) as well as all aspects of lifestyle; it emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative. Listings in this section include information on patient support, nutrition, pain management, meditation, psychotherapy, yoga, massage, hypnosis, palliative care, and survivorship.
American Pain Foundation
888 615-7246
Advocacy, Culturally-Specific Resources, Medical Information, Patient Education, Support Groups
American Psychosocial Oncology Society
866 276-7443
Individual Counseling, Referrals
American Hospice Foundation
202 223-0204 / 800 347-1413
Advocacy, Education and training for healthcare professionals
Cancer Fund of America, Inc. (CFA)
800 578-5284
Medical Supplies (nutrition supplements, lotions, food, toys, etc.)
Cancer Hope Network
800 552-4366
Peer Matching, Individual Counseling, Referrals
Cancer Liaison Program FDA Office of Special Health Issues
301 796-8460
Patient Education, Referrals
CaringBridge.org
Free, personal and private Web sites to connect family and friends during a health challenge
CancerForward, the Foundation for Cancer Survivors
The CancerForward Mission: We’re here to connect, educate and share information among cancer survivors, empowering them to move forward with their lives.
CarePages.org
Free patient blogs and Web sites to connect friends and family during a health challenge
Caring Connections
800 658-8898
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Patient Education, Referrals, Hospice
Center for Mind-Body Medicine
202 966-7338
Patient Education, Referrals, Medical Information
Complementary Care Resources Healing Brochure
See esp. Supporting a Friend who has cancer
The Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer Book
A Five-Step Integrative Plan to Reduce the Risk of Recurrence and Build Lifelong Health (Alternative Medicine Guides) Paperback – October 8, 2013, by Lise N. Alschuler and Karolyn A. Gazella
Recently featured on the NBC Nightly News, Emily McDowell has produced a series of empathy cards that truly resonate with people fighting cancer and other serious diseases – making fun of the stereotypically-lame and insensitive things people say, at the same time acknowledging that it’s sometimes hard to know the right thing to say.
Facing Our Risk of Cancer EMPOWERED (FORCE)
866 288-RISK (866-288-7475)
Advocacy, Information, Support
Family Caregiver Alliance
800 445-8106
Advocacy, Culturally Specific Resources, Patient Education, Referrals, Support Groups
Feeding America
800 771-2303
Local and national food assistance programs
Group Loop
888 793-9355
Cancer Support Community, Children’s Services, Support Groups
Healing Environments
650 550-0059
A non-profit organization dedicated to relieving the suffering of the seriously ill and providing support to their families and caregivers by creating healing environments. They offer an extensive selection of beautifully written and illustrated journals, cards, and books.
How to Support a Spouse Diagnosed with Cancer: 10 Steps
WikiHow provides information on how to support a spouse diagnosed with cancer.
How to Support Someone Diagnosed With Cancer: 6 Steps
WikiHow provides information on how to support someone diagnosed with cancer.
Integrative Oncology Book
Donald I. Abrams (Editor), Andrew Weil (Editor)
Available on Amazon.com
Kids Konnected
949 582-5443
Children’s Services, Culturally-Specific Resources, Individual Counseling, Patient Education, Peer Matching, Referrals, Support Groups
Life Over Cancer Book
Keith Block, M.D.
Dr. Keith Block is at the global vanguard of innovative cancer care. As medical director of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment in Evanston, Illinois, he has treated thousands of patients who have lived long, full lives beyond their original prognoses. Now he has distilled almost thirty years of experience into the first book that gives patients a systematic, research-based plan for developing the physical and emotional vitality they need to meet the demands of treatment and recovery. Based on a profound understanding of how body and mind can work together to defeat disease.
MetaCancer Foundation, Inc.
Referrals, Support Groups
Mylifeline.org
Blogs, Online support, Volunteer calendars, Web sites
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine National Institutes of Health
888-644-6226
Advocacy, Culturally Specific Resources, Medical Information, Patient Education, Referrals
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
800-658-8898
Advocacy, Hospice, Individual Counseling, Medical Information, Patient Education, Referrals
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving
229 928-1234
Advocacy, Caregiver Education
Information about being a cancer survivor on cancer.net
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