Integrative Care for Cancer

Integrative Care for Cancer: Why It Is Essential

Presented by Julie Fischer, RN, CAHP, RRPr

What does integrative care really look like when you are the patient?

In this personal and evidence-informed webinar, Registered Nurse and aromatherapist Julie Fischer shares her experience navigating breast cancer twice and explores how complementary approaches can support conventional cancer care throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Drawing upon more than four decades in healthcare, her experience as a clinical educator, and her own cancer journey, Julie will explore the role of aromatherapy, reflexology, mind-body practices, nutrition, psychotherapy, movement and self-care in supporting quality of life and helping manage some of the physical and emotional challenges associated with cancer and its treatment.

The webinar will also consider aspects of whole-person care that can be difficult or easily overlooked, including sexual health, intimacy and body image, and the importance of creating opportunities for patients to discuss concerns that can have a significant impact on quality of life.

Particular attention will be given to the role of aromatherapy within integrative cancer care, including practical approaches to supporting anxiety, sleep, emotional well-being and symptom management, while recognizing safety considerations, professional scope of practice and the importance of collaboration with the healthcare team.

Using Julie’s own journey as the framework, the presentation invites practitioners to consider what it truly means to care for the whole person—not simply the disease.

Biography

Julie Fischer, RN, CAHP, RRPr, is a Registered Nurse, Certified Aromatherapy Health Professional and Registered Reflexology Practitioner with more than four decades of experience in healthcare, education and wellness. She also holds a diploma in Occupational Health Nursing and previously earned national certification as a Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN(C)).

Her nursing career has included clinical leadership, occupational health, infection prevention and control, staff wellness, and more than a decade as a Clinical Educator with Trillium Health Partners. She later served as Wellness Coordinator with Kingston Health Sciences Centre during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Julie became a Certified Aromatherapist in 2001 and is co-owner and educator with Joyessence Aromatherapy Centre Inc., founded by her mother, Joy Watson. She currently serves as Vice President and Director of Education for the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists (CFA), where she is committed to advancing evidence-informed aromatherapy education and supporting the thoughtful integration of complementary approaches within conventional healthcare.

Julie’s perspective on integrative cancer care is also deeply personal. Having experienced breast cancer twice, along with significant complications during treatment, she brings the perspectives of nurse, educator, aromatherapist and patient to this presentation. Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to whole-person care that addresses physical, emotional and psychological well-being while keeping conventional medical treatment at the centre of cancer care.

 

Registration link coming soon!