Dawn Lemanne, MD, MPH
The old paradigm of “fighting cancer” with drugs alone is becoming obsolete, thanks to the growing body of research conclusively demonstrating the influence of diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors on cancer survival.
Oncologists of the recent past were taught that when it comes to cancer recovery, “Diet doesn’t matter.” In contrast, growing numbers of today’s oncologists actively integrate conventional cancer therapy with diet, short-term fasting, restorative sleep, exercise, supplements, botanicals, acupuncture and other modalities to help patients recover their health.
Dr. Lemanne is one of the oncologists working to ensure that what was once called “integrative oncology,” “functional oncology,” or complementary medicine is becoming simply “oncology,” cancer treatment at its most complete.
Dr. Lemanne treats cancer patients with conventional approaches such as chemotherapy and supports this treatment with individualized supplement, diet, fasting, and exercise regimens that evidence shows may enhance the effectiveness of any conventional treatments a patient undertakes.
She understands, however, that some patients are unwilling or unable to accept the risk of side effects that can accompany conventional treatments. For patients who make an informed decision to forgo conventional therapies, or for those too frail to withstand the side effects, Dr. Lemanne formulates an alternate program, and importantly, a plan for expediently assessing the program’s effectiveness.
Finally, Dr. Lemanne understands that a strong doctor-patient relationship is a vital part of care. She urges her established patients to call her with questions, concerns, and ideas.
Education
Dr. Lemanne majored in biophysics at UC Berkeley. She graduated with academic distinction, and upon entering medical school at UC San Francisco was named Regents’ Scholar, the highest academic award granted by the University of California.
After earning the MD degree, she served an internship and residency at Henry Ford Hospital in inner-city Detroit. She then trained in medical oncology at the prestigious Stanford University. In 2011, after fifteen years in practice, she completed a 2-year fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona. Along the way, Dr. Lemanne has earned two more advanced degrees, one in public health from UC Berkeley, the other in science writing, from Johns Hopkins University.
Leader
In 2012, Dr. Lemanne was the first medical oncologist appointed to the faculty of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Integrative Medicine service. She currently holds an appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona, where she teaches in the flagship integrative medicine fellowship.
Other academic activities include appointment as a Visiting Scholar at the Australian National Institute of Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Lemanne speaks by invitation domestically and internationally. She has authored articles on integrative oncology for peer-reviewed medical journals, textbooks, and the popular press.
Dr. Lemanne is the 2017 winner of the American College of Nutrition’s Stanley Wallach Award, bestowed for significant contributions to the advancement of human understanding of nutrition and its role in cancer therapeutics.
Practicing Physician
Dr. Lemanne treats patients in her clinic in Ashland, Oregon, and consults with patients and physicians around the globe. Feel free to call her during business hours to arrange a consultation.