Photo credit: Pro Image Photography/Ed Sozinho

Mark Gignac, ND, MSA, FABNO
Naturopathic Oncologist, Director of Integrated Medicine

Dr. Gignac has devoted much of his life to the study of natural medicine, specializing in naturopathic cancer care. He has been practicing at Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center since it was founded in 1997.

"Because of the complexity of cancer and confusion over the role of natural medicine in treating the disease, patients looking for natural options to support their treatment often don't know where to turn," Dr. Gignac says.

Dr. Gignac's certification as a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO) helps patients differentiate between general-practice naturopaths and those with a specialized knowledge of oncology, including the disease process, cancer medications, and natural medicines that boost immunity and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

Dr. Gignac's formal education into natural medicine began with a seven-year tutelage under Alma R. Hutchens, author of "Indian Herbology of North America." He went on to earn a degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and pursue graduate studies in nutrition and human physiology at the University of Windsor.

Dr. Gignac received his doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in 1992 and his master's degree in acupuncture in 1996. After graduating from Bastyr, he was involved in several research studies on natural medicines with Bastyr and collaborating pharmaceutical companies.
He is currently a guest lecturer and part-time faculty member at Bastyr, focusing on naturopathic oncology, naturopathic philosophy and the history of naturopathic medicine. He has also lectured at numerous conferences around the country on naturopathic approaches to cancer treatment and been featured on Seattle area television and radio segments.

"What this clinic has are naturopaths, acupuncturists and social workers who really specialize in cancer care," says Dr. Gignac, who is a member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Dr. Gignac's deep interest in the spiritual aspects of cancer and cancer treatment has him traveling frequently to the Brazilian Amazon to further his study of indigenous healing and spiritual practices.

"To effectively treat cancer, you have to cast as wide of a net as possible," he says. "That means doing innovative oncology alongside the best in supportive therapies, addressing not just the physical, but the psychological, emotional and spiritual realms as well."

Paul Reilly, ND, LAc, FABNO
Naturopathic Oncologist, Director of Naturopathic Medicine,
Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Dr. Paul Reilly was one of the founding physicians at Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, where he has practiced since 1997.

In January 2008, he and colleague Mark Gignac (bio above) became the first in the state of Washington to take and pass exams for board certification in naturopathic oncology.

He is among a limited number nationwide to become a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO), a certification that helps patients differentiate between general-practice naturopaths and those with a specialized knowledge of oncology.

"The Center is the only place in the state that really has naturopathic oncologists, medical oncologists and other providers working together on an equal and fully integrated basis," says Dr. Reilly, who serves as National Director of Naturopathic Medicine for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, overseeing naturopathic care at all of CTCA's hospitals.

Dr. Reilly is one of the authors of "How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine," (Riverhead Books, 2002) a highly regarded and practical guide that gives detailed advice on preventing and fighting cancer through diet, nutrition, supplements and complementary therapies.

He also wrote the chapter on naturopathic oncology care in the Textbook of Natural Medicine, and has been published in the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients and Health Store News.

"The ultimate cure for cancer will be found by working with nature, not against it," says Dr. Reilly, a past board member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Dr. Reilly has been a part-time faculty member at Bastyr University, where he graduated in 1985. He is licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in Washington and Oregon, and also holds both national accreditation and state licensure as an acupuncturist.
"Part of our job is to help people filter through the overwhelming amount of information out there and find what's right for them," he says. "Our patients tend to be more informed, independent in their thinking, goal oriented and not willing to settle for the same-old, same-old."

That's important, says Dr. Reilly, because "taking part in the decision-making process and playing an active role in treatment is therapeutic in itself."
 

Dr. Letitia Cain, ND, FABNO

Photo credit: Pro Image Photography/Ed Sozinho

"I love working with patients, being part of their care. They inspire me and I learn so much from them," says Dr. Letitia Cain, a naturopathic physician who began working with the team at Seattle Cancer Treatment & Wellness Center in September, 2009.
 
Dr. Cain says her overall goal for patients is to promote health and wellness, in body, mind and spirit. She recommends natural therapies, including vitamins, minerals, homeopathic medicines, and botanicals, that support the whole person and aid in building health.

A Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO), Dr. Cain earned a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle. She completed a naturopathic residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health. Dr. Cain also completed a naturopathic medicine and oncology residency at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center (Midwestern) in Zion, Illinois.

Dr. Cain joined the CTCA family in 2003 as a staff naturopath at Midwestern. In 2005, she stepped into the role of Director of Naturopathic Medicine at CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She became a member of the CTCA team in Seattle in 2009 to help serve cancer patients in the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Cain has lectured on the topics of "What is Cancer?" and the "Prevention of Cancer" to participants in the Our Journey of Hope® Program in numerous cities across the United States. She has also given oncology presentations for naturopathic physicians on "Nutrition for Oncology Patients." Additionally, Dr. Cain has been a guest lecturer for the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, in which she conducted classes on "Oncology and Clinical Diagnosis" and "Studies and Scans in Oncology."

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Society for Integrative Oncology, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.