Bastyr to feature new oncology clinic

Bastyr University has announced the founding of the Bastyr Integrative Oncology Clinic.

The clinic is being made possible through a grant from Cleavage Creek Cellars, which contributes 10 percent of the profits from its wine sales to fight breast cancer. Overall, Cleavage Creek has donated $20,000 toward the clinic and has pledged to give an additional $20,000 in 2009.

The clinic is slated to open on the Bastyr campus in Kenmore in February 2009.

Using information gathered at the new clinic, Bastyr will collaborate with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle on what is being called a controlled-outcomes study.

The study will compare the “disease-free survival” and quality of life in cancer patients who are treated at the Bastyr clinic to patients living in Washington whose treatment did not include the complementary, alternative or integrated therapies offered at Bastyr.

“We are very grateful to Cleavage Creek for making the new clinic possible,” said Leanna Standish, medical director of the new undertaking. “It is a wonderful thing to be able to offer the best science-based, comprehensive natural medicine care to those fighting cancer.”

The Integrative Oncology Research Clinic will provide consultation with naturopathic physicians and doctors of acupuncture and oriental medicine and include mind/body medicine, acupuncture, botanical and nutritional medicine.

“We are hopeful that the work done at the clinic will provide insights into breast cancer, as well as offer more treatment options,” said Budge Brown, owner of Cleavage Creek Cellars.

Patients with cancer diagnoses who receive treatment at Bastyr will be asked to participate in the research study to monitor clinical and quality-of-life outcomes. For information, call (425) 602-3311.