Integrative Oncology Improves Outcomes and Quality of Life

Many patients with cancer face a therapeutic burden that negatively impacts their quality of life. This sometimes makes it challenging to continue cancer therapy. For certain types of cancer, treatment-related nausea, changes in taste or problems swallowing, for example, can lead to malnutrition, putting patients further at risk.

There are multiple studies demonstrating that the addition of supportive care such as nutrition advice, exercise, acupressure and acupuncture can alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, fatigue and other symptoms. The Integrative Oncology Program at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute provides patient-centered cancer care that uses mind and body practices and lifestyle modifications alongside traditional cancer treatments.

“Our approach is to focus on the whole person, not just their physical symptoms, to promote optimal cancer outcomes and improve patients’ quality of life,” says Naoki Umeda, MD, a specialist in the Center for Integrative Medicine.

Empowering patients and their families

Integrative oncology practitioners educate and support families impacted by cancer, teaching patients and caregivers ways to employ nutrition, stress reduction, vitamins and supplements as well as body work such as massage and acupuncture throughout their journey. “We want to offer patients an opportunity to be an active participant in designing their supportive care plan to help them have the best cancer care experience and outcomes possible,” explains Laura Shoemaker, DO, chair of the Department of Palliative and Supportive Care. “Our team ensures that integrative therapies are evidence informed and are aligned with cancer therapies the patient is receiving.”

Care across the cancer continuum

Integrative oncology throughout the trajectory of their illness, including:
• Working with patients during their course of cancer treatment to help reduce side effects of chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation
• Providing lifestyle medicine support as patients move into survivorship

“People are living longer, and, in some cases, cancer actually becomes a chronic disease, thanks to advances in therapies,” says Dr. Shoemaker. “However, even once someone completes therapy, there is a burden that cancer-directed therapies may have taken. Integrative oncology can help reduce this suffering.”

Protecting patients’ safety

Unlike “alternative” medicine, which is not validated by science and is not a part of standard medical care, integrative oncology involves evidence-based care, which helps ensure that supportive care services recommended to patients are safe and effective. Integrative oncology practitioners work closely with each patient’s oncology team to ensure any supportive care services offered are in alignment with their prescribed cancer-directed treatment plan.

Integrative oncology serves as an extension of the patient’s oncology team to help patients navigate the many questions that arise about ways to improve their health during and after cancer treatment. “There is so much confusing information out there online,” says Dr. Umeda. “Our goal is to work comprehensively with the patient and their care team to address all their needs and to ensure that any modality being used does not interfere with their cancer treatment.”

Integrative oncology services

There are many supportive services available at Cleveland Clinic’s downtown location, regional centers as well as virtually, such as:

• Interactive culinary medicine classes taught by a chef from the Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine and nutritionists from Taussig Cancer Institute, highlighting creative ways to prepare healthy foods and to address meal planning obstacles like treatment-related taste changes

• A pilot project introducing patients to acupuncture during infusions, helping people become comfortable with this practice and how it may alleviate treatment-related symptoms

• Full acupuncture sessions to help reduce pain, anxiety, nausea and other symptoms

• Physical rehabilitation and “prehabilitation” to help patients optimize their physical condition before, during and after surgery or other treatments

• One-on-one sessions with a licensed dietician to help ensure patients have the ideal intake of proper nutrients

• Stress-relieving practices such as yoga, massage, meditation and mindfulness

Any member of the care team can refer patients to the Integrative Oncology Program. Comprehensive program information is available in the Patient Resource Center at the Taussig Cancer Building on the main campus (phone: 216-445-2273).

Hear our recent podcast about integrative oncology.