"Integrative Oncology can be defined as the rational, evidence-based combination of conventional therapy with complementary interventions into an individualised therapeutic regimen that addresses the whole person living with and beyond cancer-body, mind and spirit."
Donald I. Abrams, MD Professor of Clinical Medicine University of California and Chief of Haematology- Oncology at San Francisco General Hospital.

About Dr. Kate James

Kate is now in her eighteenth year of Integrative practice, supporting patients UK wide . She also offers one to one mentoring to both holistic health professionals and doctors in the Integrative health field and therapeutic mycology.

In 2002 Kate qualified as a Medical Doctor and after her early training began her career in the broad based speciality of Accident and Emergency Medicine . After her mother and daughter's diagnoses Kate's passion and belief in integration grew. Kate combined her NHS training with an intensive period of research, mentoring and training in the holistic health field. Kate completed formal training in Living Foods, Western Acupuncture, Medical Hypnotherapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom technique) Reiki and Yoga.

In 2010 Kate changed speciality to Palliative Medicine. Later that year she decided it was time leave the NHS to focus solely on a career in Integrative health consultancy. Pivotal to her decision was meeting an inspirational patient who had used an entirely natural approach to support a chronic form of leukaemia , with which he had been diagnosed over 10 years previously . The mainstay of his approach was medicinal mushroom therapy, alongside fasting and a naturopathic diet. This began Kate's interest and specialisation in the field of therapeutic mycology. 16 years on , and now in his 80's he remains a patient and continues to follow a solely natural approach to support his condition.

“ The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease“
Thomas A Edison

Kate then underwent a period of mentorship and training under the guidance of Martin Powell , a leading expert in Mushroom nutrition , lecturer and author with a background in both biochemistry and Traditional Chinese Medicine . Kate was also mentored by other specialists in both Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine to help deepen her conceptual knowledge and understanding.

By definition doctors are teachers. Doctor being derived from the latin doctoris which means 'to teach'. Kate realised that if we collaborate the teachings of conventional medicine, Eastern medicine, psychoneuroimmunology , and various aspects of complimentary medicine we are much better placed to know and support both ourselves and each other. That as humans we must follow our own inner wisdom , vision and authenticity to help others to do the same.

“ The highest aspect of healing involves helping the patient to fulfil destiny.”
Lonny S. Jarrett

Between 2011 and 2016 Kate taught as clinical lead for the Student Selected Courses Integrative Medicine, Using Food Medicinally and Medicine and Spirituality at Newcastle Upon Tyne Medical School, helping doctors to be explore the potential of a more holistic approach. Around this period Kate also began teaching workshops for both members of the public, and conventional and holistic health professionals to help them explore the enormous benefits offered by choosing a more integrated model of practice.During this period Kate became Director of The Medical Board for the UK based Cancer Charity Cancer Active, and thereafter a trustee

In 2014 Kate joined The Independent Doctors Federation and is compliant with their policies and procedures. She is fully registered with the General Medical Council GMC no. 6057459 and successfully completed her last 5 yearly GMC revalidation cycle in September 2020.

"Dr Kate James has been an incredible teacher and mentor in my journey - both personally and professionally. In integrative spaces that are still evolving and often misunderstood, Kate consistently leads with integrity, curiosity and a deep commitment to the best available evidence in the sphere. I’m deeply grateful for her guidance and for the standard she sets for thoughtful, evidence-informed leadership in pioneering areas of integrative oncology."
Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist

Outside of her work Kate is a very happily married Mum of four beautiful boys and one precious daughter, aged 22 to 9 years. Kate loves family time, spending time in nature and enjoying wild life, visiting waterfalls and wild swimming and yoga.

How will we work together?

After your initial enquiry by phone or email I am happy for us to speak to allow you to get a further feel for me and how I work. I know time is precious so I try to return calls as soon as I am able. Please do leave a message if I don't answer as I may be busy with a patient.

If you choose for us to work together we will arrange a 90 minute initial consultationon. This can be done over the phone, WhatsApp or FaceTime, or if working this way suits your needs the best.

During this appointment we will put together an individualised holistic protocol for you which I will email to you, together with a number of written resources to help you understand how and why the suggestions I make can help you. This will also include relevant best evidence , my lovingly created recipes and information to help you explore wider holistic tools , techniques and concepts.

Following our initial appointment we can schedule regular appointments for as long as you feel you need them. You are welcome to keep in touch between appointments with updates and questions and for advice and support.

At your request I will also help you to liaise with your Oncologists and other Doctors to keep them informed of this aspect of your care.

More about your programme

“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.”
Hippocrates

Instead of reaching for a prescription pad to issue drugs I advocate a different kind of approach. I specialise in lovingly creating individualised holistic programmes to support patients with cancer and other immunological and health conditions. These combine medicinal mushrooms , chlorophyll rich foods and other natural immunomodulants and adaptogens. I guide patients to choose a dietary approach most suited to them. Typically combining constitutional Chinese Five Element dietary therapy, high life force/ raw foods and science based nutrition.

I never work with a 'one size fits all' approach as each and every one of us experiences the same diagnosis differently depending on our individual constitution and make up. What is therapeutic for an individual at one time in their life may not be at another. Other supportive elements we may discuss include EFT, breath work, Qi Gong , Yoga and Yogic philosophy and Quantum healing based techniques. If these resonate I am happy to help sign post you to practitioners / on line platforms so as you are able to explore and integrate these. I can also help you to make choices about other therapies which might further support your journey like Traditional Chinese or Japanese Acupuncture, Reflexology, Colonic Irrigation, and Herbal Medicine and can often assist you in finding a local practitioner.

Immunomodulation, Diet and EFT

"He who is immune is immortal"
Lao-Tzu, ancient Chinese Philosopher and founder of Taoism

In China and Japan certain herbal and mushrooms extracts, together with acupuncture are traditionally used for the support of individuals with various medical conditions including cancer. In both Japan and China specific extracts are licensed as adjuvant nutrition for cancer therapy. The Chinese approach, Fu Zheng Pei Ben refers to supporting healthy Qi, (traditionally defined as Life force or energy flow or Prana in Ayurveda), and optimising the body's innate natural resistance to disease.

They recognise that immunomodulating mushrooms and herbs may help to support an individual constitutionally and immunologically. Immunomodulants, by definition balance ie modulate our innate immunological function . They may help to support normal, healthy bone marrow proliferation and act as biological response modifiers. Clinical research demonstrates certain immunomodulants may also help to support some of the side effects experienced during chemotherapy and radiotherapy and may have other benefits alongside allopathic treatments.

In naturopathic medicine supporting the immune system is considered key to optimise the chance of sustained remission and rebalance the innate immune system .It is often postulated that one of the reasons that cancer returns is because the body and immune system has been weakened and exhausted by the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

"A review of the data available makes a strong case for using beta glucans in cancer treatment programmes. It would be rash to attempt to use beta glucans on their own, and we would not recommend this at all. However, the data indicate that it would be equally rash not to incorporate beta glucans into cancer management; thus upgrading from chemotherapy to immuno-chemotherapy."
Dr. Paul Clayton, Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine and a former Senior Scientific Advisor to the UK government's Committee on the Safety of Medicines

"Inositol and its derivative inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) markedly boost NK (natural killer) cell activity making the combination of IP6+Inositol an excellent adjuvant in cancer therapy."
Dr. Shamsuddin MD, PhD

Diet

" If I had one food to give a patient it would be wheatgrass"
Dr. Edward Brown MD

I am often asked about the best diet to support immunological health and well being. I encourage patients to find a balance between raw/ high life force/ chlorophyll rich foods and warming cooked nourishing choices. The Chinese Five Element Dietary System is an exceptional tool to help achieve this, and also help us to understand the connection between our organ systems, emotions and consciousness. Working individually, and with constitution in mind optimises absorption and assimilation of our food, immunomodulants and other supplements.

"Far from a 'bandage' approach like medicine applied to a wound, proper nutrition changes the course of disease at its source: tissue structure. No therapy or drug know to modern medical science can rebuild tissue that has been damaged by disease or trauma. Food alone can accomplish this feat. It is for this reason that nutrition is an indispensable weapon against disease."
Dr. Bernard Jensen MD

Emotional Freedom Technique

"By finally giving the energy- based environment its due, it provided for a grand convergence uniting the science and practice of allopathic medicine, complementary medicine, and the spiritual wisdom of ancient and modern faiths."
Dr. Bruce H Lipton, The Biology of Belief

In cases where patients feel a strong connection between their emotions and their condition EFT can help to create a safe space where one can explore these emotions. EFT does this by allowing an environment where we can address life issues from a place of complete self acceptance and unconditional love for ourselves.

As with other holistic therapies EFT may help us more easily access our inner wisdom and knowing.

Due to the high demand for her Integrative practice Kate does not currently offer EFT, however is able to help you find an excellent remote or local practitioner.

"The most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. It is the power of all true science."
Albert Einstein

If you'd like to find out more about EFT please visit www.emotional-health.co.uk