What does FABNO stand for?
FABNO is a designation with the board of Naturopathic oncology. It stands for Fellowship with the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology.
More and more, people are coming to recognize and appreciate the value of an integrative approach to cancer care Naturopathic oncology refers to the application of the art and science of naturopathic medicine to the field of cancer care and treatment.
It doesn’t fight against established conventional cancer treatments and protocols, it supports them.
While people can approach their cancer treatments from an ‘all-in’ perspective (relying solely on either conventional or naturopathic medicine) we often see the benefit of incorporating both in the treatment of disease.
CANCER - A COMPLEX CONDITION
The research, understanding, and treatments for cancer are constantly evolving.
It takes more than cursory involvement with a cancer case to stay up to date with the most current understanding and best practices of care.
That’s why it’s critical that people with cancer have the ability to identify naturopathic doctors who truly have an in-depth understanding of cancer to integrate into their healthcare team.
In 2004, the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) was founded with the idea of helping to protect the public. By 2006, the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (ABNO) began designating Naturopathic Oncologists as a board-certified specialty. These board-recognized naturopathic physicians are given the title of FABNO – Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology.
The OncANP as a specialty organization protects the public by identifying practitioners who really dedicate themselves to the care of people with cancer. Further, having board-certified naturopathic oncologists to turn to gives people with cancer access to responsible options for their care that leverages the full power of naturopathic medicine blended with the understanding and appreciation for conventional standards of care.
In order to qualify for board certification in naturopathic oncology, a naturopathic doctor must:
- Complete a 2-year naturopathic oncology residency OR.
- Must be in practice for at least 5 years with 2400 oncology patient contact hours AND
- Submit cases for review by designated examiners AND
- Must pass a board certification exam.
The advanced training and experience doctors attain as they work to qualify for board certification provides valuable insight into the best ways to integrate naturopathic care into the cancer continuum. FABNO status represents the pinnacle of naturopathic cancer care in North America. The OncANP has continued to uphold practice values and shape how specialization of naturopathic doctors in the field of oncology.
