Few health challenges frighten patients more than cancer. From warning signs to early testing to confirmation of the diagnosis to the arduous and often-uncertain treatment process, patients must face their potential mortality and be able to say, "I will not let cancer beat me."

Helping them to do just that is Dr. Jeff Sklar, a Palmer College graduate who recently accepted a position with Cancer Treatment Centers of America and is now director of chiropractic services at CTCA's Eastern Regional Medical Center in Philadelphia. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Sklar describes how chiropractic plays a role in the multidisciplinary support of cancer patients and explains that the opportunity to care for this courageous patient population is as rewarding for him as it is for them.

Q: Give our readers some background on your chiropractic career, including why you decided to become a chiropractor. After graduating from Palmer College in Davenport in 1997, I returned to the East Coast and have been practicing chiropractic ever since. My passion for chiropractic began in the early '90s as a patient. The success my DC had with my neck pain was unparalleled when compared with numerous other remedies I had tried, including pain medication and massage. I became attracted to the paradigm to which my chiropractor subscribed. I asked him to basically mentor me as I shifted from a reactive style of living to a proactive approach regarding my health and well-being.

He suggested that I move to Davenport, Iowa and attend Palmer College. Without hesitation, I took his advice. My first year in practice led me to Scranton, Pa., where I worked in an integrated practice with both MDs and DCs. I eventually moved back home to center city Philadelphia, where I opened an integrated wellness center that in addition to chiropractic, offered massage, acupuncture, nutritional counseling, behavioral health services, yoga, Pilates, personal training, etc.

Q: Describe the process that led to your hiring by Cancer Treatment Centers of America. As my practice grew, a couple of practitioners from my office were working part time at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia. One of them mentioned to me that CTCA was looking for a part-time chiropractor. I had strong feelings about treating a patient population fighting cancer, as three immediate members of my family have battled with different forms of cancer.

After receiving a tour of the hospital and meeting with the administration, I was completely blown away by how the facility embraced integrative care in way I had never seen. Medical oncologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists were working alongside naturopaths, acupuncturists and nutritionists. I learned about the "Mother Standard," a model of care practiced at CTCA whereby every patient and care giver is treated like one would treat a member of their own family. To me, CTCA was so in line with my own beliefs in treating patients that it was a perfect fit.

Q: Briefly describe the mission and operations of CTCA. The mission of CTCA is to be the premier center for integrative cancer treatment, demonstrating unparalleled compassion as we provide powerful and innovative therapies to heal the whole person, improve quality of life and restore hope.

We believe in patient empowerment and aim to educate patients with information about all their treatment options so they can make the decision that is best for them. With the focus on the patient's needs and wants regarding their treatment, patients are given many choices regarding their cancer treatment as well as complementary alternative medicine options alongside their [traditional cancer] therapy.

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