The NUNM Oncology Club provides an interdisciplinary environment for students to explore the complexities of cancer prevention, biology, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. The club complements the NUNM curriculum by examining different cancer types and their risk factors, conventional screening and diagnosis, staging, and treatment, while also exploring evidence-informed naturopathic and integrative approaches to oncology.

Through educational meetings, clinical discussions, journal clubs, guest speakers, research opportunities, and community events, students can explore topics including nutrition, lifestyle medicine, botanical medicine, mind-body medicine, supportive care, and cancer risk reduction. The club also provides opportunities to connect with clinicians, researchers, and cancer organizations while developing practical knowledge for supporting patients throughout the cancer-care continuum. Through community education, fundraising, and collaboration with other NUNM organizations, the club aims to foster a well-rounded and patient-centered understanding of oncology.

The club will maintain an evidence-informed and patient-centered approach to all educational programming and discussions, emphasizing critical evaluation of research, clinical evidence, and emerging therapies. Students will explore naturopathic and integrative approaches as complementary components of comprehensive cancer care, with an emphasis on appropriate collaboration and communication with conventional oncology providers and other members of the healthcare team. The club will prioritize patient safety, informed decision-making, and respect for established standards of cancer treatment, while avoiding the promotion or use of unsupported alternatives as replacements for evidence-based cancer therapies. 

The NUNM Oncology Club’s programming will follow a structured “Cancer of the Month” model, with each month centered around a primary cancer type or oncology-related theme. This framework provides a consistent educational structure while allowing students to explore oncology in greater depth throughout the academic year. Each topic will examine key areas such as risk factors, cancer biology, prevention and screening, diagnosis and staging, conventional treatment, naturopathic and integrative approaches, supportive care, and survivorship.