Integrative Breast Oncology Clinic
Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Support for Breast Cancer Patients
Loyola Medicine’s Integrative Breast Oncology Clinic supports patients physically, emotionally, and spiritually throughout their breast cancer journey particularly during the critical weeks after a breast cancer diagnosis. The program is designed to help patients manage symptoms, speed recovery, reduce risks of reoccurrence, and stay healthy moving forward. Offering both in-person and online visits, we are dedicated to educating and supporting patients by providing reliable medical information and integrative therapies, regardless of where they receive conventional breast cancer care.
What is Integrative Oncology?
Integrative oncology is a patient-centered approach to cancer care that integrates lifestyle modifications and supportive therapies such as mindfulness, acupuncture, and herbal and supplement remedies, with standard medical treatments. At Loyola, this means providing compassionate care that addresses the full spectrum of needs for breast cancer patients, from the trauma of initial diagnosis through survivorship and long-term quality of life concerns.
An Integrative Approach to Breast Cancer
Our complementary and alternative therapy breast cancer clinic offers a structured, yet flexible and highly personalized care model focused on the following integrative oncology interventions:
Our integrative clinicians provide personalized movement plans to support strength, stamina, and recovery. Patients may also consider an optional $99 program that includes two months of personalized coaching, gym access and free parking, or a free clinical trial offering exercise and nutrition intervention with online cooking classes for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Patients receive guidance on microbiome-friendly diets to enhance overall wellness and risk reduction of breast cancer recurrence. Research shows the earlier the dietary change during adjuvant treatment, the more likely the impact on breast cancer recurrence. The program includes support for intermittent fasting or other short term dietary interventions to reduce toxicity of treatment, and the opportunity to participate in clinical trials looking at novel interventions focused on dietary change.
Patients receive evidence-based solutions recommended for fatigue (with exercise), anxiety, depression, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnosis with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-i). CBT-i is the preferred first line treatment of insomnia over sedative prescription, with 50% reporting improved sleep.
Our integrative program Includes targeted supplementation (e.g., vitamin D) to improve quality of life and reduce treatment side effects from conventional treatment, and improve overall risk of cancer-specific mortality over a lifetime.
Loyola clinicians practice attentive listening to create a safe, respectful space where your voice truly matters. We engage in open, evidence-informed conversations about complementary therapies, always without judgment or pressure.
- Which complementary therapies are you most curious about?
- What information do you need most urgently right now?
Together, we’ll explore the scientific evidence and guide you on how to use these approaches safely and effectively, so you can take an active, empowered role in your care.
Based on your needs, our clinical team will then create a customized plan that includes trusted resources and proven therapeutic interventions aimed at supporting cancer prevention, improving quality of life, and enhancing outcomes in cancer survival and cure.
Ease of Access for Integrative Oncology Consultation
This clinic is uniquely open to any patient with a diagnosis of breast cancer, even on the same week as receiving the official diagnosis on a biopsy report. Loyola provides easy access to unbiased expertise and guidance on breast medical oncology and integrative oncology. Both in-person and telehealth visits are available to help you:
- Manage side effects and symptoms more effectively
- Improve quality of life during and after treatment
- Support faster recovery through mind-body interventions
- Reduce the risk of recurrence with targeted lifestyle changes
Key components of the program include identifying personal risk factors, providing prevention strategies and therapeutic interventions, and building awareness of long-term health risks and lifestyle influences and personalized recommendations to make the changes easier to implement and more likely to be sustainable.
To help as many patients as possible to receive treatment, Loyola accepts many different types of insurance. For many individuals, this clinic may be covered by insurance.
Featured Videos
Get Moving for Better Health
Benefits of Mindfulness
Locations
