Huffington Post Blog - January 2014
by Amy Rothenberg, ND
After a perfectly lovely New Year's Eve, I was lying in bed the next morning and found a lump in my breast, hard and large and not right. I had all the diagnostic work done in the following days, had to wait what seemed like an interminable amount of time. A few days later I learned that I have breast cancer.
I am lucky. I have a broad and exuberant circle of support and a loving family nearby. I have health insurance. I have social and professional connections, so was seen in second opinion at a top tier hospital in the northeast within days of my diagnosis. I will begin treatment soon.
I am also a naturopathic doctor (ND), and as soon as I knew I needed a biopsy, I knew I needed to be in touch with a naturopathic doctor who specializes in treating patients with cancer. The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, an affiliate of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, offers board certification in naturopathic oncology for NDs, has created a repository of reliable information related to naturopathic oncology, supports continuing education in this field and encourages ongoing research. The organization is also hard at work fostering integration of naturopathic oncology into our overall health care system.