Integrative oncology consultation and patient referral to complementary therapies: results from the prospective study...

Following cancer diagnosis, patients regularly request further information regarding alternative complementary therapies besides conventional treatments to better manage treatment-related side effects, improve their quality of life and prolong survival. Many patients turn to integrative medicine approaches and lifestyle changes. A more transparent framework would be required to provide appropriate management, ensure quality control, and limit potential abuses. This study reported real-life data collected during integrative oncology (IO) consultation implemented in a comprehensive cancer center.

This observational, descriptive study used prospective data collected using clinician-rated assessments during IO consultation at inclusion (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2) after inclusion.

Among the 50 patients attending an IO consultation at the Léon Bérard Cancer Center, majority were women (n = 45; 90%) with breast cancer (n = 28; 56%), mainly from the wealthy metropolitan areas (n = 22; 44%). Most of them had a first IO consultation duration lasting 60 min (n = 40; 82%), including aromatherapy prescription (n = 35; 74%) and an orientation to supportive care (i.e., psychological support (n = 24; 69%), adapted physical activities (n = 22; 63%). Patients mostly expressed a request for a comprehensive support (n = 37; 74%), improvement in their well-being (n = 34; 68%), or reduction in treatment side effects (n = 33; 66%). At 3 and 6 months, almost all patients were satisfied with the IO consultation (respectively, n = 27/29; 93%, n = 11/11; 100%).

Patients who attended an IO consultation had specific sociodemographic characteristics. The IO consultation contributed to identify supportive care needs and to guide referral to qualified professionals. Referral to complementary therapy (CTh) depended on institutional resources and on the city-hospital network.