Global study reveals growing use of integrative therapies in cancer care

Around the world, doctors, nurses and pharmacists are turning to evidence-based integrative approaches such as acupuncture, yoga, exercise, massage and nutrition counseling to help people with cancer manage the harsh side effects of treatment.

New research led by the University of California, Irvine shows just how widespread that shift has become and how much work remains to make these therapies accessible to all.

Published this month in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, the study surveyed more than 300 oncology professionals from the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and the Society for Integrative Oncology across eight regions. About 70 percent said they had used or recommended at least one integrative approach to help patients manage cancer-related symptoms such as pain, fatigue, anxiety and gastrointestinal distress.

Despite this widespread support, nearly 80 percent of respondents said these services remain underused in cancer care. Cost, lack of insurance coverage and limited training opportunities were cited as major obstacles, particularly in parts of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where access is lowest. Most patients still pay for these services out of pocket. Training opportunities were most available in North America.

The research was led by Alexandre Chan, professor and founding chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice at UC Irvine's School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, with major contributions from Reem Nasr, a Pharm.D. candidate who helped design and conduct the study, analyze data and prepare the publication.

"We found that cancer professionals across the globe value these approaches not as alternatives but as essential modalities to work alongside conventional cancer care," Chan said. "At the same time, the inequities we identified show that too many patients still face barriers to getting the support they need to heal not only physically but emotionally and spiritually."

The study focused specifically on managing symptoms that occur either during active treatment or after therapy through an integrated approach. It explored how supportive care including acupuncture, exercise, nutrition and mindfulness can help patients cope with physical, emotional and psychological challenges that often persist long after cancer treatment ends.

By gathering data from clinicians in eight regions through the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and the Society for Integrative Oncology, the study was able to create a road map for improving patient-centered care. The authors recommend expanding training programs across medical, nursing and pharmacy schools to ensure that future clinicians are equipped to safely and effectively implement integrative practices.

The findings also highlight opportunities for healthcare organizations, educators and policymakers to develop funding mechanisms, training programs and policy frameworks that promote equitable, evidence-based supportive care for all cancer patients.