Many patients underestimate how dramatically cancer may affect them, both physically and emotionally. Symptoms likenausea and vomiting,peripheral neuropathyand dry mouth are common side effects of certain cancer treatments, and may be treated with supportive care therapies, likenutritional support,oncology rehabilitationandbehavioral health. An integrative approach to cancer care treats the disease with surgery,chemotherapyand other conventional tools, while also supporting patients’ strength, stamina and quality of life with evidence-informed therapies.
Integrative care has two layers. First, conventional treatments attack the disease itself. At the same time, evidence-informed therapies help combat cancer-related side effects. The two together, conventionalcancer treatmentsand supportive therapies, delivered simultaneously by a collaborative team of clinicians—that’s integrative cancer care. Explore the links below to learn more about the various supportive care therapies we offer as part of our integrative approach to cancer care.
The goal of integrative cancer care is to help patients better tolerate treatment-related side effects in order to reduce treatment delays or interruptions and get the most out of life.
Up to 80 percentof adultsliving with cancerare malnourished.
An estimated 65 percentof patients take a dietary supplement during treatment.
One in threecancer patients continues to experiencepain after treatment.
At diagnosis,one in two patients has some form of nutritional deficit.
At least seven in 10癌症患者在接受治疗的经验fatigue.
Fewer than one in fivepatients receivesspiritual supportfrom a doctor.
One in twocancer patients experiences significantdistress.
At City of Hope, our clinicians may recommend several supportive care therapies as part of your treatment plan.
"My experience was consistently empowering. I was part of the decision-making process at every step of the way. My care team was exactly that—a team of caring people—and I made lifelong friends with patients and employees. My naturopathic provider and my dietitian helped me manage and prevent side effects, taught me how to shop for and cook healthier foods, and recommended supplements to take during and after treatment to help my recovery."