The Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) at French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) invites the community to attend a free expert panel discussion which looks at integrating mainstream medical cancer treatments with complementary therapies.

The discussion will focus on western medical oncology, treatments with naturopathic support, and therapeutic food choices. This program will highlight differences between complementary and alternative therapies, the impact of integrative oncology on mainstream conventional practices, how integrative medicine can empower the patient and the importance of patient-physician communication in managing potential side-effects and interactions.

This free program, Integrative Medicine and Cancer Care, is open to the public and will be held on March 31 from 6 8 p.m. in the FHMC Auditorium. A light meal will be served and seating is limited so please call the HCRC for reservations and information at (805) 542-6234.

The panel of local experts includes: Thomas Spillane, M.D., Medical Oncologist with Coastal Integrative Cancer Care and Medical Director of the HCRC; Dr. Tod Thoring, N.D. with Pacific Natural Medicine; Nancy Walker, Certified Natural Chef and owner of The Wellness Kitchen in Templeton; and Shannon D’Acquisto, a five-year breast cancer survivor and a mother of three who incorporated integrative cancer care into her cancer treatment plan.