Bastyr University Integrative Oncology Research Center (BIORC) located on the University’s Kenmore campus, is looking for participants for a unique, one-of-its-kind colon cancer study.

“We are actively recruiting those with colon cancer at any stage to take part in an observational research study,” says Eleonora Naydis, ND, MSA, a study physician at BIORC. “By studying how the cancer reacts when treated with naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and mind-body therapies, we hope to uncover complementary and alternative medical (CAM) solutions that help patients fight cancer while also managing the effects of chemotherapy.”

BIORC is the only institution in the nation to focus such a CAM study on colon cancer, and it has been working on this study for the past three years.

Currently, BIORC has about two dozen colorectal patients participating in the study, but is looking to increase that number in order to obtain better data and understanding of how CAM works in the fight against this deadly disease. Patients pay through their health-insurance providers and BIORC supports them through conventional treatments. Patients are asked to fill out a questionnaire every six months to monitor their progress.

“The hope is that with more patients will come more data; with more data will come more funding; and with more funding will come a cure,” says Dr. Naydis. “We need a critical mass in order to make greater strides against colon cancer.”