Over the decades, I’ve learned that when patients are supported physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, their capacity to tolerate treatment — and to heal — changes dramatically.
Cancer isn’t just a diagnosis — it’s a moment that divides life into before and after.
Each patient I’ve seen over the years carries that look in their eyes on day one:
“What’s next? What can I do? And how do I survive this without losing myself?”
Before we begin, let me say this clearly:
You are not powerless.
The body is not a passive victim.
And with the right support, healing becomes not only possible, but predictable.
Let’s walk through the most common questions I hear from patients seeking naturopathic or complementary treatments alongside their conventional oncology care.
Simply put — yes, when done correctly.
There’s a dangerous misconception that “natural medicine” automatically conflicts with oncology. In reality, most evidence-based naturopathic therapies can:
Reduce side effects
Support mitochondrial function
Protect healthy tissue
Improve immune resilience
Enhance quality of life
Support detoxification pathways
Increase treatment tolerance
Think of it this way:
Conventional oncology is designed to attack the tumor, while integrative care is designed to strengthen the patient and protect their healthy cells.
Both goals matter.
Both can coexist safely.
And when coordinated properly, both improve outcomes.
Before we go any further, let me address a phrase nearly every patient has heard:
“Don’t take anything. Don’t do anything. Just stick to the chemo and radiation.”
I understand the intention — but nothing in the human body pauses during treatment.
You still need stable metabolism, mitochondrial strength, immune balance, and detoxification capacity.
Here’s how integrative support actually helps.
Reduction in chemotherapy and radiation side-effects
Reference: Yarom N., et al. Support Care Cancer. 2013; Lee JJ., et al. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2022.
Improvement in fatigue, nausea, pain, and treatment-related symptoms
Reference: Cass I., et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2014; Ligibel JA., et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2022.
Support for mitochondrial function and metabolic stability
Reference: Zong WX., et al. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2025; Wallace DC. Nat Rev Cancer. 2012.
Improved treatment tolerance and resilience
Reference: Deng GE., et al. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2014; Greenlee H., et al. CA Cancer J Clin. 2017.
Support for detoxification pathways and metabolic regulation
Reference: Block KI., et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2008; Loprinzi CL., et al. J Clin Oncol. 2017.
Protection of healthy tissue during treatment
Reference: Prasad KN., et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2004.
Before treatment – stabilize the terrain.
During treatment – protect healthy cells and reduce toxicities.
After treatment – repair, rebuild, and restore.
Healing follows a sequence.
Each stage requires intentional support.
Mistletoe has been used internationally for over 100 years in integrative oncology and is combined with conventional therapies in over 80% of oncology patients in German-speaking countries.
Increase in NK-cell activity by 20–40 percent. (Essential for strong immune reponse against malignant cells)
Kienle GS., et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2019; Büssing A., Anticancer Res. 2010.
Increase in apoptosis (Pre-programmed cell death of malignant cells)
Büssing A., Anticancer Res. 2010.
Decrease in chemotherapy-induced fatigue by up to 50 percent
Piao BK., et al. Anticancer Res. 2004.
Improvement in quality of life for patients receiving conventional cancer therapies.
Kienle GS., Kiene H., Integr Cancer Ther. 2010.
Increased lymphocyte activation, improved CD4:CD8 ratios, and improved immune surveillance during cancer therapy.
Reference: Beuth J., et al. Anticancer Res. 2001.
Better energy
Reduced nausea
Improved appetite
Less pain
Better sleep
More emotional stability
Mistletoe strengthens the patient’s internal terrain and improves treatment tolerance.
Regional hyperthermia gently increases the temperature of targeted tumor tissue to up to 40°C (112°F).
Explore Health in Scottsdale, AZ, is one of the only clinics in Arizona offering this safe and effective adjunctive therapy, designed to augment your conventional or naturopathic cancer treatment plan.
The treatments are well tolerated, produce a gentle warmth over the tumor area, and take approximately one hour to perform.
Increase in local blood flow by up to 1500 percent
Vujaskovic Z., Int J Hyperthermia. 2003.
Increase in chemotherapy concentration at the tumor site by up to 15 times
Issels RD., Lancet Oncol. 2010; van der Zee J., Lancet. 2000.
Increase in tumor oxygenation
Decrease in tumor-friendly acidity
Dewhirst MW., Nat Rev Cancer. 2015.
Increase in immune visibility
Multhoff G., Front Immunol. 2012.
Less pain
More mobility
Better appetite
More stable energy
Improved tolerance to chemotherapy and radiation
Hyperthermia enhances the impact of conventional treatment without increasing systemic toxicity.
Strategic, evidence-based additions such as Ivermectin, Mebendazole, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), etc can help target metabolic vulnerabilities within the tumor microenvironment.
High-dose Vitamin C supports energy pathways, reduces oxidative stress in healthy tissue, and provides targeted oxidative pressure on tumor cells.
No guesswork — only therapies chosen based on your cancer type, imaging, staging, labs, clinical goals, and metabolic physiology.
We evaluate the terrain in detail: inflammatory markers, insulin dynamics, micronutrient status, clotting factors, oxidative stress markers, liver pathways, and more.
When you change the terrain, you change the disease behavior.
Cancer can be overwhelming — you do not walk this path alone.
With over 25 years of clinical experience, we've watched patients become stronger, more resilient, and more hopeful when they feel supported physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout treatment.
Your body is not broken.
You are not powerless.
And healing becomes far more attainable with a plan in individualily tailored to your physiology, your values, and your life.
At Explore Health, in Scotsdale, AZ, Dr. William D. Nelson, NMD, provides educational guidance, advanced metabolic testing, therapies, and clinical oversight for patients exploring mistletoe therapy and integrative Naturopathic modalities along with or without conventional oncology—prioritizing individualized plans, safety, and informed discussion.
Patients interested in utilizing integrative Naturopathic therapies should contact our office at 602-692-4626.
Explore Health
7320 E Deer Valley Rd, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(602) 692-4626
