It is estimated that eighty-five percent of adult cancer survivors suffer with an accumulation of chronic conditions, including depression, fatigue, and cognitive impairments resulting from cancer and its treatment. Depending on the type of cancer and treatment Cancer Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI) can affect seventeen to seventy five percent of those diagnosed with cancer throughout their entire cancer journey.
Survivors struggling with cognitive impairment can exhibit many different symptoms including difficulty with concentration, memory loss, verbal fluency, loss of executive function, and slowed processing speed. This condition has been proven to decrease quality of life regardless of the variety of symptoms people exhibit.
Cancer related cognitive impairment is challenging to diagnosis and treat, as well it can develop throughout any stage of the cancer journey including post treatment. In this talk we will examine the evidence and clinical significance of conventional and integrative treatment to help with quality of life and reduce the impacts of cancer related cognitive impairment.
REclaiming life by reducing stress to improve outcomes, REstoring cellular function to help rebuild physical and mental stamina, and REnewing the patient’s spirit to reduce trauma and its effects on neuroplasticity are the building blocks to an individual approach to healing. Supporting these patients is vital to the success of cancer treatment because with appropriate help these patients can become more balanced in their approach to daily living and begin to feel whole again.
Learning Objectives
Following this activity, participants should be able:
- To dissect present state of evidence of diagnostic criteria for Cancer Relate Cognitive Impairment
- To dissect the current state of evidence and understand the modes of action for conventional pharmaceutical treatment strategies
- To critically understand the roadblocks to treatment and healing for CRCI
- Examine complete assessment and testing options for patients to expand options for healing
- Investigate research and clinical significance of naturopathic support and limitations for treatment – botanicals, acupuncture, exercise, mitochondria repair
- To help practitioners develop a comprehensive patient centered treatment strategy so as not to get overwhelmed by the data, lack of data, or number of symptoms for recovery
CE Credits
CONO: Category A: General – 0.75 credit, Pharmacology – 0.25 credit
British Columbia: Category C- General -1.0 credit
AANP: General – 0.75 credit, Pharmacy – 0.25 credit
OANP/OBNM: General – 0.75 credit, Pharmacy – 0.25 credit
Dr Katrina Cox, ND
Dr Katrina Cox ND has been working as a clinician for more than a decade helping create sustainable and long-term results for clients from all over. She has been fortunate enough to present on numerous occasions including internationally. She has travelled the world to learn from the best, both in integrative oncology and other areas of complimentary and natural medicine. Her thirst for knowledge continues daily with her readings. Her passion towards cancer recovery began early in her career as she partnered with both of her parents as they went through their own cancer journeys. Her focus in practice is to combine traditional natural medicine passed to us from our forefathers, and the evidence based scientific naturopathic medicine of today. Her passion lies in the roots the naturopathic medicine including our oath of “Doctor as Teacher”.
