Judith Lacey, Head of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Integrative Oncology: Unlocking Holistic Supportive Cancer Care
A new international survey of 431 healthcare professionals from 70+ countries (The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and Society for Integrative Oncology members) highlights both the promise and the challenges of integrating Integrative Oncology (IO) into supportive cancer care:
Positive Momentum:
IO bridges evidence-based complementary therapies (like exercise, nutrition, mind-body practices, acupuncture, yoga) with standard cancer treatments, empowering patients and improving quality of life.
Growing global interest and expanding evidence base are driving IO adoption.
KEY FINDINGS
- Over 80% of respondents identified lack of provider knowledge, insurance coverage, and high out-of-pocket costs as major barriers.
- Nearly 80% cited unclear referral pathways and logistical challenges.
85% reported low provider confidence as a barrier. - Barriers vary by region, profession, and experience, highlighting the need for tailored solutions.
Steps Forward:
Invest in provider education and IO training.
Advocate for insurance coverage and financial support for IO services.
Streamline referral pathways and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Enhance patient-provider communication and develop culturally relevant education materials.
Takeaway:
Integrative oncology is a powerful, #patientcentered approach to supportive cancer care. By addressing knowledge, financial, and system-level barriers, we can make IO accessible to more patients worldwide and improve holistic cancer-outcomes.”
Title: Barriers to recommendation of integrative oncology modalities in supportive care: a MASCC/SIO survey
Authors: Alexandre Chan, Dalia Kagramanov, Reem Nasr, Chioma Asuzu, Ting Bao, Yin Ting Cheung, Jung Hye Kwon, Judith Lacey, Richard T. Lee, Maryam Lustberg, Beatrice M. Ohaeri, Santosh Rao, Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis, Claudia M. Witt, Ana Maria Lopez
Read the Full Article on Supportive Care in Cancer
Other posts featuring Judith Lacey on OncoDaily.