Integrative Support for Lung Cancer
Whether you've just been diagnosed, are in treatment, or are living with lung cancer long term, integrative oncology can help you feel stronger, breathe easier and stay more resilient.
I work alongside your oncology plan, using safe complimentary medicine, including nutrition, lifestyle techniques, botanical medicine, targeted supplementation and testing to optimize treatment, reduce treatment side effects and build resilience
Lung Cancers I Work With
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
Biomarker-driven lung cancer (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, BRAF, MET, RET, HER2 and NTRK)
Early, locally advanced and metastatic (stage 4) lung cancer
Lung neuroendocrine tumors (typical and atypical carcinoid)
Mesothelioma (pleural mesothelioma)
Thymoma and thymic carcinoma
How Lung Cancer Affects the Whole Body
Lung cancer and its treatment often affect breathing, energy and appetite all at once. Breathlessness, cough and fatigue are common. Many people also lose weight and muscle, which can make treatment harder to tolerate. Newer treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy have transformed outcomes, but they bring their own side effects, and they need careful checking for interactions.
My role is to look at the whole picture, including your nutrition, muscle, energy, gut and treatment plan, and build a plan that helps you stay as strong as possible.
"The earlier integrative support begins, the more useful it tends to be. But there's no wrong time to start."
— Camille Hoffman, Integrative oncology naturopath
Support at Every Stage
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If surgery is part of your plan, the weeks beforehand matter. Exercise and nutritional preparation before lung surgery (prehabilitation) have been associated with fewer complications and better recovery. We use this window to build your strength and reserves.
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Treatment can change quickly, so support needs to keep pace. We start with nutrition and lifestyle to ease fatigue, breathlessness and appetite loss and protect your weight and muscle. We then add key nutraceuticals only where they're needed and safe alongside your chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
Through COMPASS Care, my program for people in active treatment, we meet twice a month to review your progress and adjust your plan, with messaging support in between, for as long as treatment requires.
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Many people now live with lung cancer for years on targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Long-term support focuses on rebuilding strength and lung capacity, managing ongoing side effects, supporting mood and sleep, and keeping your nutrition and metabolic health on track.
Testing That Guides Your Plan
Your oncology team monitors your cancer. I look at the rest of you: the markers that shape how you feel, cope and recover, that often are often missed.
During treatment, or living with active cancer, testing is matched to how you're feeling. If treatment is intensive, or you're feeling unwell, I keep it light: I review the bloodwork your oncology team already orders and fill only the gaps that matter most. If you're feeling well, we can look further.
On watch and wait, we start with a full blood chemistry panel, plus functional testing where useful. In my experience, most people with a diagnosis have underlying imbalances, such as inflammation, infection, or gut or hormonal issues, that are worth addressing.
After treatment, functional testing and comprehensive bloods help us correct what treatment left behind, ease lingering symptoms, rebuild strength and lower recurrence risk.
For lung cancer, I pay particular attention to muscle and nutritional status, inflammation and gut health, which can all influence how well you tolerate and respond to treatment. Functional Testing & Monitoring explains what's involved.
How We Work Together
Ready to begin? Start by either booking a clarity call with me, or complete the new patient enquiry. If you already know you're ready, or want to get started sooner, book your first appointment HERE.
Our first full session is an hour, and I'll have reviewed your history and oncology reports beforehand. You receive your health plan the next day, followed by a 20-minute call to walk through it together. If you're in active treatment, COMPASS Care provides ongoing monthly support. You can see all options on this booking page.
My job is to help your body tolerate treatment better, and come through the other side stronger. Nothing I do is meant to talk you out of chemo, radiation, surgery, or any medication your oncologist recommends.
Learn more about my approach HERE
Questions About Lung Cancer Support
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Yes. Lung cancer in people who have never smoked is increasingly common and often involves specific biomarkers such as EGFR or ALK. Your plan is built around your diagnosis and treatment, not assumptions about how the cancer developed.
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Research increasingly links the gut microbiome to how well immunotherapy works. That's why gut health is a key part of support during treatment. It starts with diet, and any supplements are chosen carefully, since not all are helpful during immunotherapy.
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Yes. Exercise and nutrition before surgery have been associated with fewer complications and faster recovery. Even a few weeks of preparation can make a difference.
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It depends on your clinical picture, and what we're trying to find out.
But broadly, we might look at your hormone metabolism, nutrient status, inflammatory markers, or gut microbiome composition.
Sometimes it's as simple as blood tests you haven't had run before, or functional testing might include urine, hair, or stool testing you can do from home, no extra appointment required. Testing & Monitoring covers this in detail.
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Yes. I work entirely online and see patients across New Zealand and the United States.
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Oncologists vary. Many are increasingly familiar with integrative oncology and supportive of patients working with a practitioner who understands both the evidence and the interactions.
Some are neutral and some are skeptical, which is reasonable considering the volume of unsubstantiated claims in this space.
What I can tell you is that I work collaboratively, stay within my scope, and communicate clearly. If your oncologist has concerns, I'm happy to be part of that conversation.
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Integrative oncology naturopathy is a specialized clinical focus. It requires detailed knowledge of cancer biology, oncology treatment protocols, drug-nutrient and drug-botanical interactions, and the evidence base specific to cancer care. A general naturopath may be excellent within their scope, but cancer care has specific considerations that require specific training and experience. This is my sole clinical focus.
This information is educational only and does not replace advice from your oncology or medical team. | Last reviewed by Camille Hoffman, September 2026
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