Gain focus and insight for effective patient programmes
You’re probably already aware that functional testing for all areas of health has developed tremendously, particularly over the last few years. What you might not be aware of is how functional testing can support integrative oncology; that’s why we asked cancer expert Patricia Peat to join us for this guest blog post. Read on to discover how Patricia Peat uses FunctionalDX within her practice to create effective programmes for cancer patients.
How functional testing supports practitioners working with cancer patients
Where we work to help support people dealing with cancer treatments and recovery, these developments in functional testing have been essential to our professional development, decision making and understanding of how cancer effects the metabolic functioning of the body.
As research reveals more about cancer as a metabolic disease, including its interaction and manipulation of the extracellular environment, we are better able to identify – through testing – where our focus should be.
Reducing overwhelm for cancer patients through functional testing
People dealing with cancer often feel overwhelmed with the amount of information there is on potential supportive strategies on the internet. Many friends and families offer advice based on other people’s experiences and generalised information. This makes deciding on appropriate programmes confusing and people often make decisions on what to do based on fear of missing out on something, rather than based on knowledge of their current situation.
We know that cancer treatments can have some very detrimental effects on the body, causing oxidative stress, gut dysbiosis, endocrine disorders, immune suppression, inflammation, nerve damage and other ongoing side effects. As oncology treatments knock out cancer cells and leave behind damage, the importance of addressing why the disease started in the first place cannot be underestimated.
Using FunctionalDX to give cancer patients the full picture
It’s important, as practitioners, that we ask the question current oncology practice does not “Why did you develop this?” There are many underlying aspects that make up the perfect storm leading to cancer development, and this is different for everybody. If it started in the first place, and treatment leaves someone nutritionally depleted and with a lot of damage in the body, why would it not come back?
There are potential issues with methylation, detoxification, genetic polymorphisms, inflammation patterns, metal toxicity, hormonal imbalances, contributing viruses, leaky gut, pathogenic bacteria, the list is very long. Add to that what we are learning about the metabolic pathways cancers use to manipulate the body’s environment to thrive, you have a labyrinth of potential strategies. Familial patterns are also often established and can lead to prevention and screening of wider family members.
For the practitioner, the knowledge gained from testing supports you in assessing the impact of cancer on the body and the confidence to help people dealing with it through effective patient programmes. Clients are empowered by having knowledge of what issues they are aiming to influence, and able to evaluate changes from their integrative programmes.
FDX blood and health reporting provides the widest possible screening tool to identify what the issues actually are and to narrow down the priorities, so your client is working in an informed and scientific way. Rather than producing generalised protocols for what we think could be the main issue for them, we are directed to exactly to what is going on for each client. This tells us the most pertinent and urgent imbalances from a cancer perspective and where we may need to investigate further.
Patricia Peat
FDX Practitioner
Being treated for cancer is often a very passive, disempowering experience, where you are told there is little you can do to influence the situation. Integrative oncology is a new emerging science, with the person right at the heart of it; being informed and empowered to take charge of their own healing journey. Functional testing is the powerful scientific tool that is driving one of the most important changes in cancer care.
Take action on supporting your cancer patients today
Join our cohort of practitioners and get access to the recording of our recent webinar with Patricia as she shares her insights on supporting clients at any stage of their cancer journey.
Patricia Peat founded Cancer Options after seeing people struggling with information and choices about their role in their health outcomes from cancer treatment. A passionate advocate of people making informed choices about their integrative approaches, she has seen functional testing transform integrative oncology into an evolving and fast moving science. She has now formed The Peat Foundation for Cancer Knowledge to share the research and knowledge that 35 years of working at the forefront of cancer developments has brought.