Whether you're newly diagnosed, in active treatment, or rebuilding after — the integrative care you receive matters. Dr. Shelly Smekens is one of fewer than 1,000 naturopathic doctors in North America with FABNO board certification: the credential that signals serious training in the science, side-effect management, and drug-nutrient interactions specific to cancer care.
No two cancer journeys are alike. Our care is calibrated to your stage, your treatment plan, and your goals — and integrated with the oncology team you already trust.
You're in chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, or surgery. You want to get through it strong — and protect your long-term health while you do.
Treatment is over — but the work of staying well begins. Most patients are sent home with little guidance on what to do next. We build the plan.
Strong family history. BRCA or other genetic risk. A scare that changed how you think about your health. Real prevention is more than one annual screening.
Childhood cancer changes everything for a family. Pediatric integrative care is a small subspecialty — and one we take very seriously.
Most oncologists have 15 minutes. Most "integrative" practitioners don't have the oncology training. The combination — board-certified, deeply specialized, with the time to do it well — is rare.
Fewer than 1,000 NDs in North America hold this credential — earned through residency, board exams, and continuing education specific to oncology.
Cancer cases are complex. Your medical history, treatment plan, current labs, medications, and goals can't be reviewed in 15 minutes. Initial visits run a full hour — preceded by hours of chart review.
Some supplements help cancer treatment. Others actively interfere with chemo or immunotherapy. Knowing the difference — for your specific drug regimen — is core to safe integrative care.
Every protocol is grounded in published research and clinical evidence. We don't replace conventional treatment — we work alongside it, adding the support and precision your oncology team often doesn't have time to provide.
Dr. Shelly has co-authored peer-reviewed studies on breast cancer treatment delays, circulating tumor cells in recurrence detection, and natural agents like maitake mushroom extract. The science isn't theoretical — she contributes to it.
Dr. Shelly's published work spans cancer screening, treatment delay impacts, recurrence detection, and natural-agent research. Her ongoing involvement with the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians keeps her practice aligned with the leading edge of the field.
Integrative oncology only works when it's coordinated. Every protocol Dr. Shelly recommends is reviewed for compatibility with your active treatment, your medications, and your oncologist's goals. With your permission, we can communicate directly with your medical team.
If your oncologist hasn't worked with a naturopathic oncologist before, we'll provide them with a clear summary of recommendations, evidence base, and rationale — so collaboration is easy, not awkward.
Begin a consultationDr. Shelly's protocols meant I never missed a day of work through chemotherapy. She doesn't just treat the disease — she helps you live through it.— Stage III Breast Cancer Patient Survivorship Care · 2024
New patients welcome via telemedicine across Wisconsin and Illinois. Request a consultation and we'll discuss whether we're the right fit for your case.