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Palliative and Integrative Care

Palliative care and integrative medicine offer services to treat the whole patient and their family, focusing on mind, body and spirit. Stay up to date on these types of services by signing up for our community newsletter.

Risk Management & Treatment > Wellbeing and Survivorship > Palliative and Integrative Care

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and Integrative Medicine

 is an area of medicine focused on quality of life issues for patients and their families facing life-threatening illness. Integrative medicine is a combination of traditional medicine and complementary medicine to treat the whole person; mind, body and spirit. 


 specialists address a broad range of issues, including: 

  • support for family members and caregivers
  • pain and symptom management
  • nutritional support
  • emotional distress
  • financial issues
  • end of life issues

Although may address end of life issues for patients with serious illness, it is different from hospice care. is available at any  of a serious illness, including during active treatment. Hospice refers to a special type of  to maintaining comfort in people towards the end of their lives. People with serious illness are often referred to hospice care if they have decided to discontinue active treatment, and they are expected to six months or less. 

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has guidelines for , which includes: 

  • All cancer patients should be screened for needs at their initial visit, at appropriate intervals, and as clinically indicated. 
  • Patients/families/caregivers should be informed that is an integral part of their comprehensive cancer care. 
  • specialists should be readily available to provide consultation or direct care to patients/families/caregivers and/or health care professionals who request or require their expertise. 

The American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) recommends that all patients with advanced cancer receive a  plan within eight weeks of their diagnosis. Other recommendations include: 

  • Patients with advanced cancer should receive dedicated services early in the disease course and while undergoing treatment. 
  • Providers may refer caregivers of patients with early or advanced cancer to services. 

Integrative medicine 

Integrative medicine is a combination of traditional medicine and complementary medicine to treat the whole person; mind, body and spirit. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is a branch of the National Institutes of Health. They advise that people learn about the benefits, risks and scientific evidence before pursuing any complementary or integrative product or practice. This is particularly important for people who are thinking about taking supplements that have not been prescribed by their doctor. 

The NCCN has guidelines on the use of dietary supplements:

  • Taking dietary supplements is not recommended for most cancer survivors unless a patient has a known nutritional deficit, an inadequate diet or other indication (for example, ).
  • Little data exist to support the use of vitamins or other dietary supplements for the purposes of cancer control, recurrence or prevention.
  • Taking vitamin supplements does not replace the need for a healthy diet. Patients should try to get nutrients from the foods they eat and the beverages they drink.
  • People should tell their doctors about any supplements that they are taking. 

The Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) guidelines recommend the following evidence-based guidelines for integrative therapies:

  • Music therapy, meditation, stress management, and yoga for anxiety/stress reduction.
  • Meditation, relaxation, yoga, massage and music therapy for depression/mood disorders.
  • Meditation and yoga to improve overall quality of life.
  • Acupressure and acupuncture for reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Find Experts
Find Experts

The following resources can help you locate an expert near you. 

Finding integrative care experts

Other ways to find experts

Find Experts
Find Experts

The following resources can help you locate an expert near you. 

Finding and hospice services

 

Related experts

People experiencing side effects from cancer or treatment may benefit from a consultation with the following experts.

Acupuncture experts

  • The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has a searchable directory of licensed acupuncturists. 

Mental health experts

Nutritionists

  • Eatright.org, the website for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, has an online tool to find a nutritionist in your area. Search by specialty, including "cancer," "weight management" and "heart health."

Physical therapists

  • The American Physical Therapy Association's ChoosePT.com website helps you to search for a physical therapist in your area. 

Sexual health experts

Sleep experts

  • The American Academy of Sleep Medicine maintains the SleepEducation.org website, which includes a section on finding a sleep center by location. 


Other ways to find experts

Paying For Care
Paying For Care

Insurance coverage

  • Insurance coverage of integrative and complementary therapies varies based on the insurance plan and the type of care or product being used. Some cancer centers may offer free classes (e.g., yoga or mindfulness) or services (e.g., consultation with a nutritionist) as part of their care. In general, insurance companies will only cover therapies shown by research to be safe, effective and medically necessary.
  • Private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid will often pay for some services. Coverage varies depending on the insurance plan and the type of service being provided. 

Financial assistance for integrative therapies

  • The nonprofit organization, Unite for Her offers a Wellness Passport Program that provides people diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer with $2000 in coupons that can be used for integrative medicine services.  

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following studies are looking at for people diagnosed with cancer:

 

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following studies are looking at integrative medical care for people diagnosed with cancer.

Multiple cancer types

Breast cancer

Gynecologic cancer

cancer

 

Last updated September 16, 2024