Integrative cancer care makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, providers, and disciplines through partnerships supporting optimal health and healing. Providing compassionate, comprehensive care for the whole person, integrative cancer care addresses the totality of body, mind, and spirit, including social and environmental health, for each individual.
Integrative cancer care is about
placing the person with cancer in the center of their community,
the center of the room,
the center of the conversation,
the center of themselves.
Recognizing that each person is not defined by their diagnosis.
Seeing each person confronting the disease as integrated.
Helping each person embrace themselves as intact and complete—whole today and for the balance of life.
What are some other leading perspectives about integrative medicine?
The following comes from Integrative Oncology by Donald Abrams, MD and Andy Weil, MD in Dr. Weil's chapter Why Integrative Oncology?.
"Many people consider integrative medicine (IM) and alternative medicine synonymous. This is not the case. Alternative medicine comprises all those therapies not taught in conventional (allopathic) medical schools, based on ideas that range from sensible and worth including in mainstream medicine to those that are foolish and a few that are dangerous. The term alternative medicine has recently been incorporated into a broader term, complementary and alternative medicine…Neither ‘alternative' nor ‘complementary' captures the essence of integrative medicine. The former suggests replacement of conventional therapies by others; the latter suggests adjunctive therapies, added as afterthoughts."
What is limited about the term alternative cancer treatments?
The term alternative cancer treatments indicate an either/or perspective. Alternative cancer treatments refer to being separate from versus in combination with all appropriate approaches, providers, and disciplines for optimal health and healing. Alternative cancer treatments suggest competition with the conventional, mainstream cancer care system. The mindset about alternative cancer treatments is evolving to an inclusive integrative cancer care model.
What is CAM, CIM, complementary, alternative, holistic, and natural medicine?
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
CAM is a broad category of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are either used together with (complementary) or separate from (alternative) conventional medicine.
Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM)
CIM is also a broad category integrating wellness-promoting activities that are not typically a part of conventional medical care to complement and not replace Western medical care.
Complementary Medicine
Complementary medicine refers to using alternative medicine as an adjunct and conventional medicine as the core treatment approach.
Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine involves holistic therapies used separate from, and not in combination with, conventional medicine.
Holistic Medicine
Holistic medicine approaches health care and healing with knowledge about the organic and functional relationship between the parts and the whole with attention to the complete system.
Natural Medicine
Natural medicine involves organic approaches and philosophies, including therapies from nature and/or interventions that stimulate the individual's natural capacity to heal.
Are these labels exact?
Sometimes, but not always. Consumers and providers alike may have different definitions for integrative, CAM, CIM, complementary, alternative, holistic, and natural medicine. Definitions associated with many categories of health care have been fluid. Categorizations of health care therapies as conventional or unconventional have been changing as health care practices evolve and people demand more.
For More Information
To better understand whole person cancer care, explore integrative cancer care components with information about body, mind, and spirit, including social and environmental health. Also explore these sections of the EmbodiWorks website.
 Body
Learn about cancer-fighting and wellness-promoting strategies supporting the physical body as one whole integrated system.
 Mind
The mental and emotional inner life impacts health and healing through the mind-body connection. Learn about empowering mind-body practices.
 Spirit
People are spiritual by nature. Healing is about wholeness. Explore our information and resources regarding spirituality.
 Social
Learn about some common social issues people affected by cancer encounter with themselves and other people. Explore strategies toward strengthened social support.
 Environmental
Studies indicate a link between the environment and cancer. Explore our information and resources to reduce toxic exposures associated with cancer.
Our most popular resources
 Diet and Cancer
You are what you eat! Some foods kill cancer cells and others promote cancer cell growth. Learning the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods in the midst of cancer is essential.
 Cancer Resources
Knowledge is power. Reliable resources are empowering. We provide clear information, explanations, and maps to educate and empower. Explore our integrative cancer care resources for navigation tools and support.
 Mind-Body Strategies
The mental and emotional inner life impacts health and healing through the mind-body connection. Learn about empowering mind-body practices supporting mind, body, and spirit for cancer patients and caregivers.
 Spiritual Support
The spiritual dimensions of life often become more prominent in the midst of cancer for cancer patients and their loved ones. Explore our empowering information about spirituality for support and strategies.
|