Free step-by-step toolkit · MK Wellness
Cancer Support Toolkit
The tools, tests, questions, and holistic approaches we wish everyone had on day one.
Take a breath. You don't have to do this all at once. Pick where you are below, and start with one step today.
A note from Dani
Your body was designed to heal, and you deserve every tool that can help it.
When you hear the word cancer, you deserve more than a treatment schedule. You deserve a plan for your whole self: your tumor data, your terrain, your food, your sleep, your stress, your faith, and your joy. This toolkit gathers the best of what we have learned from oncologists, functional and naturopathic doctors, researchers, and survivors who walked this road.
You will find mainstream tools next to holistic and cutting-edge ones. Some have large trials behind them; some are early and still being studied. We share them all, with honest labels, because you deserve to know your options. There is no single right path. The right path is the one you choose with your eyes open and your whole team, conventional and integrative, talking to each other.
How to use this toolkit
- Tell us where you are (just below) to see your first six steps.
- Tick each box as you go. Your checkmarks save on this phone or computer, so you can come back anytime.
- Bring your questions to appointments: print them, or email them to yourself. Talk through anything new with your care team before you start it.
Where to start
Just diagnosed
- Put all your records in one free app (step 1)
- "Has the tumor had biomarker (genomic or molecular) testing? Which markers, and what did they show?" (step 2)
- "Would a second opinion, including a second look at my pathology slides, be useful?" (step 2)
- "Are there clinical trials that fit this cancer type, stage, and biomarkers?" (step 4)
- Get a dental exam before treatment starts (step 7)
- Start with a free oncology social worker (step 11)
In treatment
- Keep a simple daily log (step 3)
- Show your team every supplement (step 9)
- "When is it safe to take antioxidant supplements during my chemo or radiation?" (step 9)
- Keep moving, gently (step 6)
- Pick one calming practice a day (step 6)
- Book a free tour or a first visit (step 10)
After treatment
- "Is ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) testing right for me?" (step 3)
- Watch the trend, not one number (step 3)
- Keep moving, gently (step 6)
- Cut the inflammatory foods (step 6)
- See a biological dentist (step 7)
- Plan one thing you enjoy each week (step 6)
What the research labels mean
- Strong National guidelines recommend it, based on many trials.
- Promising Positive randomized or controlled human trials; still being confirmed.
- Emerging Early human data: small studies, case series, clinic data.
- Experimental Lab and animal studies plus personal stories; human trials still needed.
The 13 steps
Put all your records in one place
Pick one or two helper apps
App Best for Cost ACS CARES Cancer information for any type, plus 24/7 access to American Cancer Society specialists Free Cancer.Net Mobile (ASCO) Tracking symptoms, medications, appointments, and providers, with oncologist-approved information Free Belong.Life Community with others on the same road, questions to experts, clinical trial matching Free Caring Village or CaringBridge Family coordination: shared calendar, meals, rides, one place to post updates Free MSK About Herbs Looking up any herb or supplement: research, side effects, and drug interactions Free Most people only need two: one tracker and one for family.
Why record your appointments?
49%remembered the plan correctly on their own36%remembered it only when reminded15%remembered it wrong or not at allHow well patients remembered their doctor’s decisions one week after a visit (The Hospitalist).
Optional: build your own Healing Navigator with AI. This is a great job for a tech-savvy family member or friend.
Project instructions to copy and paste
You are my healing and care organizer. I am a patient (or caregiver). I want whole-person care: conventional treatment plus holistic, functional, and integrative support. Use the MK Wellness Cancer Support Toolkit in this project to track where I am, step by step. - Explain everything in plain, kind language, without fear. - Never tell me to start, stop, or change any treatment, medication, or supplement. Turn those ideas into questions for my oncology and integrative team. - When I ask about any therapy, tell me honestly what the research shows, what it may help, and what to watch for with my current treatment. - When I share appointment notes or a transcript, give me: 1) what was decided, 2) my next steps with dates, 3) new questions for my next visit, 4) which toolkit boxes I can tick. - Keep a running list of my open questions. - If anything sounds urgent, tell me to call my care team or 911.
Things to ask your Healing Navigator
- "Here’s the transcript from today’s appointment. What was decided, and what are my next steps?"
- "Here’s my supplement list and my treatment plan. What should I ask my oncologist and pharmacist about?"
- "Explain this lab report in plain words and list questions for my oncologist."
- "Find published research on [therapy] for this cancer type and summarize it honestly."
- "Write a short update for my family about today’s visit."
Privacy rules for AI
Biomarker testing shows which treatments your specific cancer is likely to respond to, and it is often covered. Survivor Julie Stevens says genomic testing showed her tumor was resistant to the standard chemo before she started it. Results can open doors to targeted therapies and clinical trials, and starting treatment before you know your markers can exclude you from some trials later. Medicare covers next-generation sequencing for advanced cancers, and many labs offer patient assistance.
Your right to your records
Under HIPAA you can get copies of your labs, imaging, pathology, and genetic results, and share them with anyone, including an app (HealthIT.gov). Providers generally must respond within 30 days.
Functional practitioners look beyond scans to the terrain: blood sugar, inflammation, immune health, hormones, and nutrients. Julie Stevens tracked both her tumor markers and her root-cause labs, calling scans and biopsies lagging clues and blood data a real-time view.
Terrain labs to ask about
- Complete blood count (CBC) and comprehensive metabolic panel, including liver and kidney function
- Blood sugar and insulin: fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c
- Inflammation: hs-CRP
- Vitamin D (25-hydroxy vitamin D)
- Iron and ferritin
- Full thyroid panel
- Omega-3 index
- Nutrients: magnesium, zinc, copper, B12, and folate
- Hormones as relevant: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA
- Organic acids or other functional testing, if your practitioner uses it
The Houston advantage
You live near the Texas Medical Center, home to some of the country’s largest cancer trial programs. A trial may be a short drive away.
The ideal team has your oncologist at the center, with integrative and functional support around them, all talking to each other. Integrative medicine pairs evidence-informed complementary care with conventional treatment in a personalized, safe way.
Who What they do How to find one Integrative oncologist (MD, or FABNO naturopath) Combines oncology knowledge with nutrition, botanicals, and mind-body care; coordinates with your oncologist Search "FABNO" (Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology) or the Society for Integrative Oncology. MD Anderson patients: Integrative Medicine Center, 713-794-4700 Holistic and functional practitioners Whole-body evaluation and terrain support The Natural Health Network directory (MK Wellness is a member) Biological dentist Comprehensive dental exam with a 3D cone beam scan (see "Clear the hidden stressors") Natural Health Network directory or IAOMT Oncology dietitian Nutrition for treatment, side effects, and recovery Ask your treatment center for a CSO-credentialed dietitian Oncology pharmacist Checks supplements, herbs, and repurposed drugs against your treatment Ask your infusion center Acupuncturist Pain, neuropathy, nausea, fatigue, hot flashes Ask for one who works with cancer patients Exercise specialist Safe, tailored movement Free finder at Moving Through Cancer Counselor, chaplain, or mentor Emotional and spiritual support Your treatment center, faith community, or Imerman Angels (free one-on-one survivor mentors) Referring partner for MK clients Medical questions and regenerative care We refer our clients to Dr. Tina Hills, D.O., and her practice, PHMX, in Katy. Ask us to connect you Supportive wellness, like MK Comfort, recovery, calm, and quality of life MK Wellness, Cypress: (346) 805-8928 Questions for any practitioner
The soil matters as much as the seed. Naturopathic oncologist and survivor Dr. Nasha Winters maps ten elements of the body’s terrain, including blood sugar balance, the microbiome, the immune system, toxin exposure, and epigenetics, with a nutrition approach for each (The Metabolic Approach to Cancer). Researcher Dr. Kelly Turner studied more than 1,500 cases of unexpected remission and found ten factors survivors shared (Radical Hope):
- Radically changing your diet
- Taking control of your health
- Following your intuition
- Using herbs and supplements
- Releasing suppressed emotions
- Increasing positive emotions
- Embracing social support
- Deepening your spiritual connection
- Having strong reasons for living
- Moving your body
Nourish
Move
Rest, emotions, faith, and joy
Your mouth
Your home
Your body
Most people with cancer use some integrative approaches. National guidelines from ASCO and the Society for Integrative Oncology now recommend specific ones for symptoms:
Symptom What helps Evidence Fatigue Exercise, CBT talk therapy, mindfulness, tai chi or qigong; American ginseng during treatment Strong / Promising Joint pain from aromatase inhibitors Acupuncture; yoga Strong / Promising General cancer pain Acupuncture, reflexology, acupressure; hypnosis for procedures Promising Chemo neuropathy Acupuncture Emerging Anxiety and depression Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, physical activity Strong Sources: ASCO-SIO fatigue guideline (2024) and SIO-ASCO pain and anxiety guidelines.
The cutting edge: therapies to ask about
These are the therapies we hear about most from clients and holistic practitioners. Each is meant to work alongside your treatment plan, and each needs your team’s input because some interact with treatment.
Mistletoe therapy
PromisingUsed for decades in Europe, especially Germany and Switzerland, to support quality of life during treatment. A Johns Hopkins phase I trial of IV mistletoe in 21 people with advanced, treatment-resistant cancers found manageable side effects, some disease control, and improved quality of life (Cancer Research Communications, 2023). Not FDA approved for cancer.
Good to know: Start with Believe Big, the nonprofit founded by stage IV colon cancer survivor Ivelisse Page that helped fund the Hopkins trial. Mistletoe is given by integrative MDs and naturopaths, usually as injections under the skin.
High-dose IV vitamin C
PromisingAt very high IV doses, vitamin C generates hydrogen peroxide that targets cancer cells. In a University of Iowa randomized trial, adding high-dose IV vitamin C to chemo nearly doubled survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer, from 8.3 to 16 months, without adding side effects or lowering quality of life (Redox Biology, 2024).
Good to know: Ask: "Is IV vitamin C an option with my regimen?" It requires a G6PD blood test first and kidney monitoring. Oral vitamin C cannot reach these levels.
Turkey tail and medicinal mushrooms
PromisingPSK, an extract of turkey tail, has been used in Japan alongside chemo for decades, and randomized studies there linked it to better survival in gastric and colorectal cancer.
Good to know: PSK itself is a standardized product used in Japan; turkey tail supplements sold in the US are not the same thing. Generally gentle: choose a third-party tested extract and check it in MSK About Herbs.
Repurposed medications (the metabolic approach)
EmergingCommon, inexpensive generic drugs such as metformin, atorvastatin, mebendazole, and doxycycline target cancer’s fuel and growth pathways. The Care Oncology Clinic prescribes this combination alongside standard care and published early data on 95 glioblastoma patients (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2019); controlled trials are ongoing. Survivor Jane McLelland popularized the idea in How to Starve Cancer.
Good to know: Prescription only. Care Oncology offers US telehealth visits and research summaries by cancer type. Your oncologist and pharmacist should review every addition.
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN)
EmergingPrescribed at a small fraction of the usual dose, naltrexone may calm inflammation and support immune activity. Reviews describe strong lab data and encouraging case reports and call for clinical trials.
Good to know: Prescription and compounded, usually low cost. It blocks opioid pain medicines, so tell every doctor. Learn more at the LDN Research Trust.
Ivermectin, fenbendazole, and mebendazole
ExperimentalAnti-parasitic drugs with strong lab data and many online case stories, often used alongside chemo. No human trials have yet shown benefit, and it is often unclear whether improvement came from chemo, these drugs, or both.
Good to know: Case reports describe serious liver injury in people who took veterinary fenbendazole on their own based on online advice, and liver damage can force chemo to stop. Explore these only with a prescribing doctor who checks your liver labs, and never use animal products.
Oxygen, heat, light, and frequency
ExperimentalHyperbaric oxygen, ozone and infrared saunas, PEMF, the BioCharger, and red light are popular supportive therapies that many people find restorative. Red light (photobiomodulation) has the most supportive-care research: international guidelines (MASCC/ISOO) recommend it to help prevent painful mouth sores during some cancer treatments. Research on these therapies against cancer itself is early, and some need special timing around surgery, radiation, or certain chemo drugs.
Good to know: MK offers these for comfort and recovery. See "Your MK protocol."
Supplements people often research (talk through each one with your team)
- Vitamin D, based on your lab level
- Omega-3 fats
- Curcumin (from turmeric)
- Medicinal mushrooms, such as turkey tail
- Melatonin, studied for sleep and supportive care
- Probiotics, with extra caution if your immune system is suppressed
The most successful integrative stories we see share one pattern: people kept their oncologist on the team and added whole-person support around them. Studies show people who used alternative medicine instead of conventional treatment for curable cancers had a higher risk of death, while adding integrative care alongside treatment is a different story.
Green flags
- Coordinates with your oncologist and shares notes
- Explains the research honestly, including its limits
- Checks for interactions with your treatment
- Tracks results with labs or scans
Pause and get a second opinion if
- Someone promises a cure or success rates no one can match
- A "secret" protocol has no published results
- You’re asked for large upfront cash payments
- You’re told to stop talking to your oncologist
Before any supplement
MK Wellness is a non-medical wellness spa with 26 recovery and biohacking therapies. We design custom protocols that support energy, sleep, stress relief, circulation, and recovery during and after treatment. Our services support wellbeing; they do not diagnose or treat cancer. For medical questions, we refer our clients to Dr. Tina Hills, D.O., and her practice, PHMX, in Katy. See our Cancer Support protocol.
Good to know
Clearance is not required, but we suggest sharing your MK protocol with your care team, because timing can matter around surgery, radiation, and some chemo drugs. The notes below are the facts worth knowing.
MK therapy Good to know Mild hyperbaric oxygen Current treatments and timing, lung and ear health, recent surgery HOCATT ozone sauna and infrared sauna Heat tolerance, blood counts, skin sensitivity during radiation PEMF and BioCharger Implanted devices such as ports, pumps, or pacemakers Red light therapy Areas being treated with radiation, light-sensitizing medicines Lymphatic massage and compression boots Lymph node removal, lymphedema, blood clot risk Dry cryo float Circulation, neuropathy, cold sensitivity from chemo Ceragem, Sound Lounge, and Zero Gravity chair Comfort and positioning; usually the gentlest starting point Co-pay assistance programs
Program Phone Website CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation 866-552-6729 cancercare.org/copayfoundation HealthWell Foundation 800-675-8416 healthwellfoundation.org PAN Foundation 866-316-7263 panfoundation.org Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief 866-512-3861 copays.org Good Days 877-968-7233 mygooddays.org The Assistance Fund 855-845-3663 tafcares.org Funds open and close during the year, so check back if one is full.
Who Helps with Contact NCI Cancer Information Service Trial searches, treatment information, coping resources 1-800-4-CANCER American Cancer Society 24/7 helpline, rides, Hope Lodge 1-800-227-2345 CancerCare Oncology social workers, support groups 800-813-HOPE (4673) Imerman Angels A free one-on-one mentor who walked through the same type of cancer imermanangels.org Believe Big Mistletoe therapy guidance and patient support believebig.org Radical Remission Project Free database of healing stories, workshops radicalremission.com MD Anderson Integrative Medicine Center Integrative oncology consults for MD Anderson patients in Houston 713-794-4700; new to MD Anderson: 877-632-6789 Society for Integrative Oncology Finding integrative oncology practitioners integrativeonc.org Natural Health Network Finding holistic practitioners near you naturalhealthnetwork.org Their stories are powerful. Each is one person’s path, not a plan for you, and we share them as conversation starters with your team.
Julie Stevens
Stage 4 colon cancer survivor
Reports reaching no evidence of disease in nine months by tracking her tumor and terrain data and building a team across conventional and traditional healing, including an herbalist who helped prepare her body for treatment. Her free "5 Power Moves" and guides are at Heal Smarter, and her book is MOJO Healing.
Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO
Naturopathic oncologist and survivor
Author of The Metabolic Approach to Cancer. Her Terrain Ten model and ketogenic, phytonutrient-rich nutrition are a roadmap for working with the whole body.
Dr. Kelly Turner, PhD
Researcher, Radical Remission
Studied 1,500+ unexpected remissions. Her free database of healing stories and her courses live at radicalremission.com.
Dr. Pete Sulack, DC
Grade 4 brain cancer survivor
Diagnosed in 2024, he reports no evidence of cancer, using five pillars: a personalized diet (he leaned keto), strategic supplements, detoxification, oxygenation, and faith as the capstone. He also reports using dendritic cell immunotherapy. He shares his free protocol guide on Instagram (@drpetesulack). His outcomes are personal testimony, not yet published data.
Ivelisse Page
Stage IV colon cancer survivor
Founded Believe Big to help patients access mistletoe therapy and fund research, including the Johns Hopkins trial. Free podcast and patient support at believebig.org.
Dr. Valter Longo, PhD
USC Longevity Institute
Pioneer of the fasting mimicking diet, now tested in randomized trials alongside chemotherapy.
From Dr. Pete Sulack’s therapy guide
Area What he uses Evidence and notes Metabolic Ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, extended water fasts, juicing, olive oil, berberine, green tea extract Emerging. Extended fasts and berberine need medical supervision, especially with diabetes medicines or weight loss Immune and gut Beta-glucans, mushroom blends, colostrum, probiotics, melatonin, black seed oil Emerging. Generally gentle; check melatonin and probiotics with your team if blood counts are low Oxygen, light, and energy Hyperbaric oxygen, ozone and infrared sauna, HOCATT, red light, PEMF, BEMER, vagus nerve stimulation, high-dose IV vitamin C Experimental for cancer itself; most are offered at MK for comfort and recovery Detox and environment Coffee enemas, modified citrus pectin, milk thistle, grounding, sunlight, rebounding, water, air, and shower filters Filters, sunlight, and movement are easy wins. Coffee enemas can cause electrolyte loss and burns; ask first Botanicals and repurposed Turmeric, frankincense, artemisinin, Essiac with AHCC, graviola, methylene blue, ivermectin Experimental. Methylene blue interacts with SSRI antidepressants; graviola may affect nerves; review all with a pharmacist Food protocols Budwig mixture (flax oil with cottage cheese), Gerson therapy, sprouts and microgreens Nourishing foods; full Gerson protocols are intensive and need medical oversight Faith Daily healing scriptures, spoken prayer, and a personal healing prayer The capstone of his protocol Source: Dr. Pete Sulack’s free personal guide, Dr. Pete’s Recommended Products & Therapies (2026), which builds on the metabolic work of Otto Warburg, Thomas Seyfried, and Max Gerson. Not every item will fit every person or treatment plan.
Books to explore
- Anticancer: A New Way of Life by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber
- How to Starve Cancer by Jane McLelland
- Radical Remission and Radical Hope by Dr. Kelly Turner
- The Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Dr. Nasha Winters and Jess Higgins Kelley
- Cancer as a Metabolic Disease by Dr. Thomas Seyfried
- MOJO Healing by Julie Stevens
- Killing Cancer, Not People by Robert G. Wright
We're in your corner.
Questions about this toolkit, or want help building your MK protocol? Call or text us. We're happy to talk it through.
MK Wellness · 17844 Mound Road, Suite F, Cypress, TX 77433 · Call or text (346) 805-8928 · mkwellness.care/toolkits/cancer-support
Important. MK Wellness provides wellness services for comfort and quality of life. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure cancer or any disease. This toolkit is educational, shares information about therapies at different stages of research, and does not replace advice from your doctors. It deliberately includes no doses or protocols. Mention of a person, book, or program is not an endorsement of every claim they make. Resource details can change; confirm with each program. MK Wellness and PHMX are two separate, independent businesses.