Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of periods resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity. Menopause is 12 consecutive months with no period, and this is only known with certainty in retrospect. Perimenopause is the two to eight years...
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It’s Official! Food IS NOT food
Well, we sort of knew that, given the genetically modified corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, sugar beets, and the list goes on1. In this case, however, I am referring to an NPR story2 on the new dietary habits of animals at the Melbourne Zoo. “ . . .the monkeys are no...
What’s In Your Sunblock? Tips for Healthy Sun Protection
Some time ago, I blogged about my friend who was instructed by her primary care doctor to use sunscreen daily, all over. At that time, the doctor suggested SPF 45, but he has since retracted that recommendation and now suggests using SPF 100. I have recently delved a...
Which Room in Your Home Has the Biggest Cancer-Fighting Potential?
Is it your bedroom? Maybe. The International Agency for Research on Cancer had classified shift-work “that involves circadian disruption" (disruption of the 24 hour biological clock) as probably cancer causing to humans (Straif, 2007), but a large study published in...
Understanding the Human Microbiome: Mini Ecosystems in the Body
A healthy gut microbiome is a key component to good health. But, there are so many –“omes” to understand . . . human genomics, metabolomics, toxigenomics . . . what does the suffix “–omics” actually mean? One free online dictionary1 says that –omics is “the large...
Dr. Dawn L. Cannon, MD, MS
Dr. Dawn Cannon is an experienced, board-certified physician who combines conventional medical practice with integrative and functional medicine strategies, emphasizing prevention, lifestyle, and personalized treatment, with a recognition of each patient’s biochemical individuality within their environment. She practices integrative medicine with a holistic, patient-centered approach and understands the importance of detoxification for chronic disease, autoimmune issues, and overall wellness. A long-standing interest in disease prevention, environmental medicine and the integrative approach to diagnosis, testing and treatment of illness led her to the preventive medicine program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Board-certified physician integrating conventional, functional, and integrative medicine with a focus on prevention, lifestyle, and personalized care.Specialty
First do no harm, then, do good!Practice Philosophy
Integrative medicine, adult primary care, wellness and preventive medicine, approached holistically. Comprehensive detoxification for chronic diseases, including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, exposure to mold, heavy metals, solvents, pesticides and other toxins; occupational, environmental and recreational toxic exposures; chronic infections, including Lyme Disease and co-infections; and the gut microbiome. Area of Focus
Formal Training/Education: Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Medicine by the American Board of Pathology Master of Science, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland Postgraduate training in: Preventive Medicine and Public Health (residency) University of Maryland Medical Center About: Dr. Cannon comes to NIHA after a 20 year career in academic medicine, and medical education and administration. Board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology, and blood banking/ transfusion medicine, Dr. Cannon worked in student affairs and admissions at the medical school level, guiding, mentoring, and learning from students, from college through entrance to residency training and beyond. A long-standing interest in disease prevention, environmental medicine and the integrative approach to diagnosis, testing and treatment led her to the preventive medicine program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where she learned the population approach to prevention among other topics. Fortunately, the curriculum also included integrative, as well as environmental and occupational medicine; the information dovetailed beautifully with her interests and helped fill in the gaps that remain when addressing populations rather than individuals. Approach to the Patient: First do no harm, then, do good! Primum non nocere et tunc benefacere, if you prefer Latin. We can all benefit from work on our health foundation - the “fundamental lifestyle factors” of functional medicine, which include nutrition, exercise, sleep/rest, stress management and healthy relationships. Prevention is always a goal, no matter how challenging our health may be. You are not your “problem list”, and your diagnoses are labels that usually point to underlying nutritional, assimilation (digestion and metabolism), structural, environmental, genetic, behavioral, physical, hormonal, energetic and/or spiritual issues that will respond, when correctly identified and treated. We work together to identify the root cause(s) of your health issue if possible, while removing obstacles to your best health as we look for root causes. My special interests include the damaging effects of environmental exposures and toxins and their roles in autoimmune, inflammatory, infectious, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. I follow with great interest, any developments regarding the health effects of pesticides, heavy metals, persistent and "forever" chemicals, nanoscale materials (as found in personal care products and cosmetics, for example) and genetically engineered foods. Finally, the explosion of the ‘omics (microbiomics, genomics and epigenomics, etc.) and their roles in precision medicine will hopefully be areas of focus that I can bring to bear on the health of patients through the internal environment, or “milieu”. Testimonials Dr. Cannon really listened, and did not make me feel rushed even though I was late and she had another patient waiting. She takes my health concerns seriously. - M.B.RAdditional Info
Board Certified in General Preventive Medicine and Public Health by the American Board of Preventive Medicine
Doctor of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine
Bachelor of Arts, Natural Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
Transfusion Medicine (fellowship) Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Anatomic and clinical pathology (residency) Temple University Hospital
Obstetrics and gynecology (internship) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital