Root-cause, personalized care

How We Support Cancer at The Clara Clinic

Chances are if you’re here, you’ve been impacted by cancer and are looking for additional support. For anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, or whose loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, information comes fast and the questions can be overwhelming.

• What is my chance of survival?

• What will be used to treat my cancer?

• How effective will treatment be?

• Can I be cured?

• How will I feel during treatment?

• Do I have to have chemotherapy?

• Will surgery cure my cancer?

• Can I still work?

• What about my family?

• How can I reduce the risk of this cancer coming back again? 

If you’re looking to ways to take control of your health and feel well in your daily life, whether you’ve been newly diagnosed, are facing a recurrence, or are living with cancer, you’re in the right place. Our team is here to provide you with a personalized support plan that’s safe with your conventional treatments, evidence-informed, and focused on improving your quality of life at every stage of your cancer journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Integrative Cancer Care FAQs: Your Questions About Naturopathic Cancer Support, Answered

Integrative cancer care combines evidence-informed naturopathic therapies with your conventional oncology treatment — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy — to support your body through the process and improve quality of life. Safety is the non-negotiable foundation of everything we do. At The Clara Clinic, Dr. Clarence and Dr. Sandri have both undergone additional training in integrative oncology specifically so they can identify which natural therapies are safe with your particular treatment regimen, which to avoid, and which may actively support treatment efficacy. We collaborate with your oncologists and never work in opposition to your conventional care.

Both. Evidence-informed naturopathic care can work on two levels: supporting your body's ability to tolerate and respond to conventional treatment, and in some cases, directly targeting cancer cell activity through compounds that have demonstrated anti-tumour properties in research. That said, we are always clear and honest about what naturopathic care can and cannot do. We do not promise cures or suggest that natural therapies should replace oncological treatment. What we can offer is meaningful support — reducing treatment side effects, rebuilding immune function, improving nutrition and energy, and giving you an active role in your own care at a time when that can feel very limited.

All three, and ideally as early as possible. Our Conquering Cancer Program is structured in three phases specifically because the needs at each stage are different. At diagnosis, we focus on preparing your body, reducing inflammation, and customizing a protocol to your specific cancer. During treatment, we work to support treatment efficacy and minimize side effects. After treatment, we shift to recovery, immune rebuilding, gut restoration, and long-term recurrence prevention. Many patients wish they had started earlier — the earlier we can get involved, the more we can do. That said, if you're mid-treatment or post-treatment, there is still a great deal we can offer.

This is precisely why our practitioners have undergone specialized training in integrative oncology. The interactions between natural compounds and conventional cancer therapies are genuinely complex — some supplements are safe and beneficial, some are neutral, and some can interfere with treatment efficacy or increase toxicity. We research the specific interactions relevant to your treatment protocol, review your full medication and supplement list, and adjust recommendations accordingly. We also communicate with your oncology team when needed. You should never feel that you have to manage these decisions on your own.

The specific tools we use depend on your cancer type, treatment protocol, current health status, and goals — there is no standard protocol. Broadly, interventions may include targeted supplementation to reduce inflammation and support immune function, IV nutrient therapy to support energy and recovery, dietary approaches calibrated to your specific cancer and treatment, gut microbiome support (especially during and after chemotherapy), acupuncture for nausea, pain, and fatigue management, and in some cases, evidence-based natural compounds with demonstrated anti-cancer properties used at appropriate doses. Everything is individualized and reviewed in the context of your oncology care.

Post-treatment is one of the most important phases to have support, and also one of the most underserved. After conventional treatment ends, the immune system is often depleted, the gut microbiome is disrupted, fatigue and cognitive changes may persist, and the risk of recurrence is a genuine concern. Our Phase 3 — Recovery and Prevention — is specifically designed for this stage. We focus on rebuilding what treatment has depleted, addressing any lingering side effects, and creating a forward-looking plan to reduce your risk of recurrence through nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted support. The goal isn't just survival — it's helping you get back to living fully.

Yes, and this is something we take seriously. A cancer diagnosis affects far more than the body — the anxiety, grief, uncertainty, and loss of control that come with it are real and significant. We address this through several avenues: the time and space our practitioners provide in appointments (your initial visit is two hours), the sense of agency that comes from having an active treatment plan, and where appropriate, a referral to our psychotherapy team. We also recognize that caregivers are often deeply affected, and we're happy to support them in understanding what their loved one is going through.

Yes to both. We support patients with a wide range of cancerous and precancerous conditions — from breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer to leukemia, lymphoma, and colorectal cancer, among others. And yes, the approach differs significantly by cancer type. How a cancer cell behaves, what it feeds on, how it responds to the immune system, and what conventional treatments are used all shape the naturopathic protocol. This is why our initial appointment is two hours and involves a detailed dive into the specifics of your diagnosis — not a generic cancer support template.

Absolutely — this is the norm, not the exception. The Clara Clinic is designed to work within a collaborative care model. We do not replace your oncology team; we work alongside them. Our practitioners communicate clearly, stay current on your treatment status, and focus on the aspects of your care that conventional oncology doesn't have time for: nutrition, quality of life, immune support, side effect management, and the day-to-day guidance that helps you feel less alone in the process.

Yes. We offer virtual naturopathic appointments for Integrative Cancer Care to patients anywhere in Ontario. Virtual care through The Clara Clinic is conducted on Jane, a secure and PIPEDA-compliant platform. Everything we offer in-person — comprehensive intake, lab requisitions, treatment planning, ongoing monitoring, and coaching — is available virtually. If you are outside of Toronto but within Ontario, virtual care is a seamless option.