Integrative medicine in pancreatic cancer

Integrative medicine seeks to merge conventional medicine and complementary therapies in a manner that is comprehensive, personalized, evidence-based, and safe. Integrative oncology is the term used to describe the application of integrative medicine to cancer care. The field of integrative oncology is constantly evolving. This chapter reviews the role of integrative medicine in cancer care with an emphasis on an overview of the evidence, effective communication, resources to guide healthcare providers caring for cancer patients, and presents a model how to effectively incorporate integrative medicine within cancer care. Existing research suggests that the majority of cancer patients desire communication with their physicians about integrative medicine. It is the healthcare professional's responsibility to ask patients about their use of complementary medicines and to provide evidence-based advice to guide patients in this evolving area. Key findings in the areas of dietary supplements, mind-body practices, massage, and acupuncture are presented. Many authoritative resources now exist to help guide patients' appropriate use of complementary therapies, allowing the medical team to follow evidence-informed guidelines.