Integrative Oncologist seeing patients in consultation to help explore other modalities that are done in conjunction with their traditional care from their treating oncologist.
Dr. Helen Goldberg began her career as an oncology nurse (registered nurse) at MD Anderson and then later at the University of Pennsylvania. She saw the importance of physician - patient relationships and felt that the blend of nursing and medicine would allow a different perspective. She completed Medical School in 1988 at The Medical College of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) and went on to an Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Duke University, completing in 1993. Dr .Goldberg is currently completing a unique two year fellowship under Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine in Tucson, Arizona, graduating in December 2012. Her interests are in integrative oncology.
The role of an Integrative Oncologist is to work with patients to design integrative treatment plans that use dietary strategies, mind body therapies, and selected complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies during and after conventional cancer treatment. Dr. Goldberg advises patients about possible risks and benefits of CAM cancer treatments using evidence based data; informs patients about strategies for increasing the efficacy and reducing side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy; advises patients and those at risk for cancer about nutritional and other lifestyle strategies to reduce risk of recurrence and incidence; helps patients get the best palliative care; and assists with end of life issues.
Integrative oncology empowers our patients and their loved ones to be active participants in their care. At Inspirtas, our caring team joins with the patients and their support team and partner with their treating oncologists to promote healing to the person as a whole.
