Cancer treatments, while lifesaving, place extraordinary stress on the body. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can leave patients terribly tired, physically and emotionally. They often have to deal with compromised immune systems, metabolic dysfunction, damaged gut and poor microbiomes, accumulated oxidative stress, and depleted energy levels.
This is where integrative medical approaches and detoxification protocols offer compelling support. We reviewed the best medical wellness clinics (we happen to work with all of them) and tell you what to expect in each of them if you’re looking for support in your journey dealing with cancer.
First, let’s look at the kind of medicines which cancer survivors are turning to, when they can afford those.
Modern Mayr Medicine
Mayr Medicine was developed in Austria over a century ago, and has been deeply modernized in the late 20th century, and more recently again with the hype around longevity and preventive health.
Mayr Medicine focuses on gut health as the foundation of immune function and overall vitality. Since approximately 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut, and chemotherapy often devastates the intestinal lining and microbiome, Mayr’s principles of digestive rest, alkaline nutrition, and gut regeneration align naturally with post-cancer recovery needs.
The approach in a Mayr Medicine cure reduces the burden on digestive organs while optimizing nutrient absorption. It is absolutely critical when the body needs to rebuild.
Detoxification Medicine
While Mayr Medicine is one of the best known approach to detoxify, it is not the only one, and we want to emphasize other clinical approaches which also provide outstanding results in terms of detoxification and body cleansing.
Indeed, detox addresses multiple concerns: reducing inflammatory load, supporting liver function (often compromised by medications), promoting lymphatic drainage (which can be impaired after surgery or radiation), and facilitating cellular cleanup through processes like autophagy.
While the body has natural detoxification systems, therapeutic support through specific treatments, modified fasting, colon hydrotherapy, and targeted supplementation may help optimize these pathways when they’re overwhelmed.
Integrative Medicine
Integrative Medicine is fundamentally an approach to medicine which integrates the different components and systems together. And with regards to cancer, Integrative Medicine recognizes that it isn’t merely a localized disease but reflects systemic imbalances: metabolic, immune, inflammatory, and often emotional as well.
Rather than viewing conventional treatment and holistic care as opposing forces, leading clinics combine evidence-based medical monitoring with therapies supporting the body’s innate healing capacity: nutritional medicine, immune modulation, mitochondrial support, and stress reduction.
What Cancer Patients Seek: Needs by Journey Stage
Active Treatment (Stage I-III, Currently in Treatment)
Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation rarely visit intensive wellness clinics during active treatment cycles, though some advanced facilities do accept them with oncologist clearance. Those who do seek support during this phase typically want:
- Symptom management: reducing nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, and digestive distress
- Immune support: maintaining white blood cell counts and reducing infection risk
- Nutritional rehab / optimization: addressing weight loss, cachexia, and treatment-induced malnutrition
- Emotional rebalance / resilience: psychological support for navigating the treatment journey, the changes of appearance, the solitude in the painful moments …
Clinics accepting active-treatment patients usually require responsibility waivers, and offer gentler protocols: in particular, no aggressive fasting, careful monitoring of blood counts, and strict coordination with oncology teams. Many facilities, however, prefer patients to complete active treatment first. Contact us to inquire about clinics accepting patients in stage I-III.
Post-Treatment Recovery (Recently Completed Treatment)
This phase, typically ranging from 3 to 6 months post-treatment, represents the primary window when patients seek intensive medical wellness programs. They’re often dealing with:
- Profound fatigue and depleted energy reserves
- Compromised immune function and fear of recurrence
- Digestive dysfunction from chemotherapy damage
- “Chemo brain” and cognitive difficulties
- Emotional processing of trauma and identity shifts
- Desire to “cleanse” the body of treatment residues
These patients benefit most from comprehensive detoxification, gut restoration, immune rebuilding, and metabolic rebalancing programs offered at specialized clinics. Also with care about what programs they can sustain, to avoid demanding too much while they’re on their rehab journey.
Cancer Survivors (NED - No Evidence of Disease)
Long-term survivors, sometimes years post-treatment, typically focus on:
- Recurrence prevention through lifestyle optimization
- In-depth diagnostics to monitor their vital functions which may have been impaired by cancer treatments (cardiovasculer health …)
- Longevity and anti-aging strategies
- Managing late-stage treatment effects
- Aesthetic medicine and weight management
- Annual or biannual energy boosts to maintain vitality
Stage IV / Metastatic Cancer Patients
Patients with advanced disease face unique considerations, whether they are under treatment or not. Some seek:
- Quality of life improvement over cure
- Alternative or complementary protocols when conventional options are exhausted, or if they don’t want to hear about radiations / chemo therapy
- Immune enhancement to potentially slow progression
- Symptom palliation and comfort
Very few wellness clinics accept Stage IV patients, and those that do require extensive medical review, responsibility waivers, etc. Energy levels, prognosis, and ability to tolerate intensive protocols are carefully assessed. Some patients are simply too fragile for travel or demanding treatments like therapeutic fasting. If you’d like to know which clinics are best suited for your case, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Emerging (and sometimes controversial) treatments
Ivermectin and repurposed medications
A growing number of cancer patients, particularly in online communities, seek access to ivermectin, fenbendazole, and other antiparasitic drugs based on emerging research and anecdotal reports suggesting potential anti-cancer properties. Some studies indicate these medications may affect cancer cell metabolism, angiogenesis, and immune response, though large-scale clinical trials remain limited.
Several European clinics now offer consultations about repurposed medications as part of integrative protocols, though this remains controversial in mainstream oncology. Contact us if you are looking for clinics with experienced integrative oncologists who can monitor for drug interactions and assess individual appropriateness.
Apheresis and blood purification therapies
Apheresis is a treatment aimed at filtering the blood to remove specific components. It has gained significant attention in cancer care circles. Clinical evidence remains mixed, but medical doctors who offer such treatments at scale recognize that in relevant cases, it offers the benefit of cleansing the body of certain toxins, drug remains, undesired proteins, and as such facilitates the rehab.
Various forms of apheresis exist :
- Therapeutic apheresis: removes inflammatory proteins, immune complexes, or circulating tumor markers
- Oxyvenation therapies: oxygenate blood while removing metabolic waste
- Photopheresis: combines apheresis with UV light exposure
Note that not all apheresis technologies / procedures employ the same filters and gases, and some may be known for having potentially cancer-inducing effects. It may be best for cancer survivors to select the right apheresis supplier. Contact us to be direct towards the right clinics.
Cancer patients who’ve undergone apheresis are often very happy about the results, and studies will have to confirm these benefits clinically (or not): they say they experience improved energy, reduced inflammation markers, better mental clarity, and enhanced sense of wellbeing.
The appeal of apheresis in the cancer context is understandable: the concept of “cleaning” blood of toxins, inflammatory markers, and potentially microscopic cancer cells (though there is no evidence these can be filtered out) resonates emotionally with patients’ desire for thorough recovery.
Medical wellness therapies for cancer patients, such as apheresis, varies dramatically by region. In the United States, access to integrative cancer care, apheresis, and complementary treatments is limited, highly fragmented, or relegated to a few specialized centers. Insurance coverage for holistic approaches is minimal. This creates a medical tourism phenomenon, with American and Middle East patients traveling to Europe:
- Integrative medicine has deeper historical roots and broader acceptance
- Regulatory frameworks permit more treatment flexibility
- Comprehensive medical wellness infrastructure exists
- Costs, while high, often compare favorably to U.S. healthcare when quality-adjusted
This explains the surge in international patients at European wellness clinics offering these specialized protocols.
Favourite clinics of Serenity Ways clients
VIVAMAYR (Austria)
Mayr Medicine specialists focusing on gut-immune axis restoration. Programs are all about alkaline nutrition, digestive rehabilitation, and detoxification through the gut. Particularly suited for post-chemotherapy digestive issues and immune rebuilding. Accepts carefully selected patients across recovery stages with medical clearance.
Buff Medical Resort (Germany)
Another amazing Mayr Medicine clinic, brand new (opened in 2025). This clinic has gained recognition for offering apheresis, alongside classical detoxification and infusions, to help cancer patients from all over the world. The Buff doctors coordinate carefully their programs and treatments with the patient’s oncology doctor.
The availability of apheresis at Buff Medical Resort attracts international patients, particularly from regions where such treatments are unavailable. But the most remarkable benefit of Buff clinic is actually the Mayr Medicine detox, as it helps patients fight cancer with more strength, and it changes their lifestyle to one where cancer recurrence is prevented.
Chenot Palace Weggis (Switzerland)
Detoxification and bioenergetics focus with programs specifically designed for metabolic recovery and cellular regeneration. Advanced diagnostics and Traditional Chinese Medicine integration. Their protocols suit survivors seeking comprehensive metabolic reset and recurrence prevention strategies. Accepts carefully selected patients across recovery stages with medical clearance.
SHA Wellness Clinic (Spain)
Comprehensive oncology-friendly programs combining macrobiotic nutrition, immune therapies, and integrative treatments. Accept patients after conventional treatment with careful coordination. Strong focus on long-term lifestyle transformation.
Clinique La Prairie (Switzerland)
The most renowned cellular revitalization programs. The most qualified medical and wellness expert teams. Their integrative approach combines anti-aging medicine with immune support and detoxification, as well as stem cells therapies.
CLP is famous for pioneering cell therapy and comprehensive rejuvenation programs suitable for cancer survivors.
Palazzo Fiuggi (Italy)
Combines Italian thermal spa tradition (the healing properties of Fiuggi waters date back from the Romans) with cutting-edge medical wellness. Programs integrate nutrition (with three-star chef Heinz Beck), movement, and various detoxification modalities. Their medical team assesses oncology patients individually for program suitability, particularly regarding energy levels and treatment timing.
ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea (Spain)
Another brand new clinic (opened in 2025). Specializes in health regeneration with specific programs relevant for post-cancer patients. Strong focus on psychology and emotional balance, as well as regenerative aesthetics.
ZEM offers integrative health, IV therapies / infusions, as well as other alternative holistic treatments. Their medical team coordinates thoroughly with the patient’s oncologist to discuss if and when it is relevant to offer repurposed medications and alternative protocols. ZEM is welcoming to patients exploring options beyond conventional care, but always working alongside oncology.
Critical considerations
Medical consultation is mandatory: virtually all the best wellness clinics we work with actually require detailed medical records review and consultation before accepting cancer patients. They assess:
- Current disease status and prognosis
- Treatment timeline and ongoing medications
- Energy levels and functional capacity
- Suitability for specific interventions (fasting, apheresis, physical treatments)
- Psychological readiness and realistic expectations
Some patients cannot be accepted: those with very low energy, severe cachexia, active disease requiring immediate intervention, or psychological fragility may be declined or advised to wait. Therapeutic fasting, for example, requires adequate reserves. Patients who are already nutritionally depleted aren’t candidates.
Travel logistics matter: travel to Europe from the US, Asia, or Middle East requires energy and stamina, even when travelling in optimal conditions (Air France La Première, private jets …)
Choosing the right clinic
The “best” clinic depends entirely on your specific cancer type, treatment history, current status, and personal goals:
- Gut-focused recovery with Mayr Medicine: VIVAMAYR, Buff Medical Resort
- Metabolic optimization: Chenot, Clinique La Prairie
- Apheresis: Buff Medical Resort
- Integrative Medicine: SHA
- Gentle, luxurious recovery: Palazzo Fiuggi, Clinique La Prairie
- Rehab with psychological support and aesthetic care: ZEM Wellness Clinic
Most importantly, any medical wellness approach should complement, not replace, ongoing oncology care. The most successful outcomes occur when conventional and integrative teams communicate, and when patients maintain realistic expectations about what these treatments can and cannot achieve. These clinics excel at improving quality of life, supporting the body’s recovery capacity, and potentially optimizing conditions for long-term health. But they are not cancer cures. And I’m always here if you need advise about which clinic is best suited for your objectives.