2021 Aromatherapy in Cancer Care Series

Presented by ACHS Aromatherapy Faculty Members

Register for:

Aromatherapy in Cancer Care

The lavender ribbon represents awareness for all types of cancer

Scroll down on this page to see the full list of events including dates and times.

This series is composed of 8 webinar presentations given by ACHS Aromatherapy faculty in November of 2021. 

This series of webinar presentations is designed to highlight the current body of research demonstrating the potential aromatherapy has as a complementary part of cancer care. We recognize the value and need for evidence-based information on this topic for students, alumni, aromatherapists, healthcare providers, and the public alike. 

Our ACHS Aromatherapy faculty have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise alongside decades of experiences, bringing together the best of research, professional experience, and aromatherapy knowledge. 

If you have had questions about how aromatherapy can safely support individuals who are undergoing cancer care, cancer survivors, or their caregivers, in an evidence-based way, this is the event for you! 

This series and all the information presented is for educational purposes only and does not take the place of medical advice or conventional medical treatment. All holistic support should be shared with and approved by an individual’s licenced healthcare professional. 

This series is not designed to provide individual or specific recommendations. Rather it is designed to provide education on the published research and clinical applications of aromatherapy to support individuals undergoing cancer care, their caregivers, and their healthcare providers. We want to empower attendees to be able to share this information with their healthcare providers and hope to foster dialogue and adherence to safe best practices for aromatherapy. Also we hope to empower healthcare professionals to be able to share this body of information with their teams, and employ aromatherapy self care strategies for themselves as well.

Continuing Education (CE) Credit

This series will earn 9 hours of CE and a certificate in Aromatherapy in Cancer Care. You must register in the corresponding online classroom. There you will find access to recordings of all 9 webinar presentations, the presentation slides, and bonus materials and resources selected by our ACHS Aromatherapy Faculty. To earn your CE certificate you will need to complete the 10 question quiz for each webinar lecture within the online classroom. Each presentation in the series has its own module. Recordings of each webinar presentation have been posted in the online classroom as quickly as possible. You will have unlimited access to the online classroom and can complete the CE certificate anytime after enrolling.

 

Archive: Live Webinar Schedule from November 2021

Client consultation plays an integral role in working with clients and is the first step a therapist should perform when working with clients and especially those diagnosed with cancer. This webinar will provide tips on how to take comprehensive notes, how to assess the information, and how to develop an aromatherapy support plan.  You will also learn specific cancer-related questions which should be included during a consultation beyond those asked on a traditional medical history or intake form.  Gathering this information accurately will help you create the best aromatherapy support plan possible.

The presentation includes three parts: 1) Know what you are dealing with before you begin conducting the Aromatherapy Research; 2) Cancer Research trends and results; 3) Comparison of the effects of complete essential oils versus individual components in cancer research.

Researchers have made exciting discoveries about frankincense Boswellia species and its remarkable anti-cancer effects. This presentation explores frankincense as both herb and essential oil to illuminate the most effective forms of this powerful plant medicine for cancer treatment. While research is still in early stages, the findings are both encouraging and surprising.

Cancer therapy can pose numerous skin challenges during chemotherapy and radiation.  This webinar will provide valuable information on essential oils that are safe to use and those to avoid, beneficial base oils to protect and hydrate the skin as well as best methods of application for inhalation and topical application.

A case study panel presentation by ACHS MS in Aromatherapy and Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy Alumni on Thursday November 11th as part of this event. The case study panel will be moderated by Amanda Lattin Aromatherapy Program Chair and ACHS Aromatherapy Faculty.

My presentation will begin with an overview of the definitions of acute and chronic pain and then the prevalence of overall reported pain in the United States as compared to pain reported by patients with cancer. I will describe several essential oils used for pain management based on evidence-based research and have participants watch and practice the “M technique™ hand massage with a carrier oil only or with an essential oil if available.

Oral health is an important health aspect for patients undergoing cancer care.  Nausea and vomiting are some of the most difficult symptoms for cancer patients to endure during cancer care. During the most severe episodes of nausea, most patients are unable to ingest pills, fueling research into alternative management options. This lecture will examine research and evaluation of the inhalation of essential oils for its potential to reduce nausea and vomiting, increase appetite, and improve oral health.

In cancer care there are two vital narratives, that of the individual undergoing cancer care and that of the family or informal caregiver. Family caregivers have a unique set of needs to support their mind, body, and emotions as they walk alongside their loved one during cancer treatment. This presentation will examine caregiver needs demonstrated in research, the prevalence of caregiver needs documented as not being met, and the impact of supporting caregivers in the big picture of cancer care. We will discuss the evidence-based role aromatherapy can play in meeting family care provider needs through aromatherapy self care including: stress and anxiety management, sleep quality, and emotional recovery. Examples of simple and safe aromatherapy self care protocols for caregivers will be explored. 

Yoga is a centuries-old collection of spiritual, mental, and physical techniques and practices aimed at developing a healthy experience, and union of mind and body. While in today’s popular culture, we often associate yoga with physical poses (asanas), stretching, and heated rooms, it is actually much more.  In this discussion, we will introduce the application and practice of yoga using a variety of methods -mental, emotional, and physical.  It will focus on introducing how yoga can be used for the wellbeing of loved ones and caregivers, who often put their own health at risk for the sake of others. We will go through common issues and symptoms faced by caregivers; discuss yoga techniques, including physical practices, visualization techniques, and meditations; and give examples of some of the techniques discussed.

Meet Your Presenters

Picture of Professor Margaret LaPierre

Professor Margaret LaPierre

Margaret holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health & Wellness, is a Licensed Master Esthetician, and Master Esthetics Instructor. She has trained extensively with top industry leaders in the skincare field. In her skincare clinic, she has worked with dermatologists and plastic surgeons combining clinical skincare with holistic treatments in working with clients in the areas of menopause & hormonal dysfunction, dermatologic and global skin tone issues. She is Oncology-trained to work with individuals with cancer and certified in Osteopathy for facial esthetics.

Picture of Dr. Svitlana Dzyubak

Dr. Svitlana Dzyubak

Svitlana Dzyubak graduated from the National University of Pharmacy (Kharkov, Ukraine) with honors. Her first workplace was the Laboratory of Investigation of Phytopharmaceutical Products of the oldest Pharmaceutical Research Institution in the former Soviet Union, the National Scientific Center of Medicinal Substances (NSCMS, Kharkov, Ukraine). The mainstream of the center’s work was focused on drug discovery using natural products and protection of the environment. Based on her research, Svitlana defended her Ph.D. The title of the thesis was: “Biological active substances of several species of Goldenrod genus (Solidago L.)”. While working in the center Dr. Dzyubak obtained 4 patents, participated in 21 Scientific conferences, published 1 book chapter and 28 articles.

Picture of Dr. Judith Boice

Dr. Judith Boice

Dr. Judith Boice is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, and best-selling and award-winning author. She is a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO), a board-certified physician delivering evidence-based, integrative oncology care. She worked for three years with late-stage cancer patients at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Dr. Boice has an MS in Aromatherapy and has been in practice for 27 years.

Picture of Dr. Kate Johnson

Dr. Kate Johnson

Kate Johnson, PhD, has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years. Kate holds a BSN from Keuka College, an MBA from Western New England College, an MSN from American International College, and a PhD in nursing education from Capella University. Kate’s dissertation was titled: “The Effect of Diffused Aromatherapy on Test Anxiety Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students” and she has published two research articles on this topic. Kate is also certified in clinically aromatherapy, the “M Technique” and Advanced Holistic Nursing-Board Certified. Kate was inducted into the inaugural ceremony of the Global Academy of Holistic Nursing in June 2021.

Picture of Professor Amanda Lattin

Professor Amanda Lattin

Amanda Lattin is a Professor of Aromatherapy and Aromatherapy Program Chair at ACHS. She is a trained chemist, teacher, and practicing herbalist and aromatherapist. Amanda earned a BA in chemistry from Huntingdon College, and an MAT with a concentration in chemistry from Lewis and Clark College, before earning her diplomas in both Herbal Studies and Aromatherapy from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She is a Registered Aromatherapist through the Aromatherapy Registration Council. Amanda has almost 20 years of experience as a professional educator.

Picture of Dr. Joel Meyer

Dr. Joel Meyer

Professor Joel Meyer has been practicing and studying yoga for 20 years after a friend recommended he join a class after a number of injuries acquired while playing college football. After practicing yoga in a physical sense for 10 years, he began to become more interested in pursuing certification as a yoga instructor - with a focus on physical and mental therapy. In 2016, Joel obtained his 200 hr yoga therapeutic yoga certification in Las Penitas, Nicaragua, at Yoga Chikitsa. He has taught therapeutic, restorative, and vinyasa yoga in Nicaragua and the United States with the goal to bring mental and physical well-being by breaking down perceived barriers.