GenesisCare Grand Rounds: Optimising cancer outcomes with integrative oncology
Dr Wally Curran, Global CMO, GenesisCare, and some of the leading physicians from across our network discuss the important role of integrative oncology to optimise outcomes for cancer patients.
The webinar covers:
- Evidence based integrative care and its place in the treatment journey, including the key roles of exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness,
- Studies showing how exercise reduced mortality in cancer patients and survivors by 24% and reduced recurrence by 48% 1
- Clinical implementation of exercise, including the impact of muscle-strengthening activities
- “Psychological Intervention and Breast Cancer Patient Survival” 2 the clinical trial where the 11 year follow up showed:
- 45% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence
- 56% lower risk of breast cancer mortality
- 49% lower risk of all-cause mortality
- The spectrum of integrative care before, during and after cancer treatment
Optimising cancer outcomes with integrative oncology
Over the next two decades, the number of new cancer cases is expected to rise ~50% worldwide3, and with the number of cancer survivors also growing, (15.5 million in the US alone), there is an increased need to ensure all those, at any stage of their cancer journey, are being supported to optimise quality-of-life and treatment outcomes. 4 There is an integral need to incorporate integrative oncology into our practices.
The growing evidence is showing us that the promotion of a healthy lifestyle is a key component of integrative cancer care as well as a critical part of cancer prevention. Some of the other forms of evidence-based integrative care include: 4-6
- physical practices including aerobic, resistance and flexibility training
- biologically-based therapies such as herbal medicines, vitamins and minerals and diet
- mindfulness practices such as visualisations and journaling.
Consistent associations have been demonstrated across many studies showing that up to 50% of cancers could be prevented by modifying common lifestyle factors.7 The same lifestyle factors of poor diet, insufficient exercise and excess weight are also associated with disease recurrence and mortality after cancer diagnosis for several cancer types.8
Despite numerous challenges, the practices of conventional and integrative oncology need to move away from being mutually exclusive. Incorporating both modalities, the field of integrative oncology can create an inclusive environment to produce better patient outcomes.
Integrative care ensures we are using an evidence-based approach to incorporate the best therapies for the patient – conventional or complementary - throughout all stages of their journey.
Panel members:
Donald Abrams, MD, is an integrative oncologist at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health where he provides integrative medicine consultations to people living with and beyond cancer, with an emphasis on nutrition and cancer. In addition to his role at the Osher Center, he is also a general oncologist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center and Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of California for Integrative Medicine. He co-edited the Oxford University Press textbook “Integrative Oncology” with Andrew Weil, MD.
Brian Lawenda, MD, GenesisCare Radiation Oncologist and National Director of Integrative Oncology and Cancer Survivorship, he is the author of his newly released book, “Empowered Against Cancer: Science-Based Strategies To Optimize Your Treatments and Thrive- A Practical Guide”, the founder of IOEProgram.com, an online educational course, and regularly shares news at Integrative Oncology-Essentials.
Click below to watch the webinar:
References
- Effect of Exercise on Mortality and Recurrence in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Shinichiro Morishita, et al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32476493/ Accessed on: 22/02/2023
- Psychologic Intervention Improves Survival for Breast Cancer Patients https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2661422/ Accessed on 22/02/2023
- Mao JJ, et al. Ca Cancer J Clin 2022; 72-144-164.
- Campbell KL, et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2019; 51(11):2375-2390.
- Matovina C, et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017; 156(2):228-237.
- Greenlee H, et al. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2014; 2014(50):346-358.
- World Cancer Research Fund. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective. A Summary of the Third Expert Report. 2018. Available at: https://www.wcrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Summary-of-Third-Expert-Report-2018.pdf Accessed on: 01/12/22.
- Zhang YB, et al. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:1085-1093