Finding Integrative Oncologists and Other Professionals
At a glance
Several medical approaches are available for cancer care, each with a distinct focus. These may include treating cancerous cells and tissues with standard therapies, or a more holistic approach that addresses symptom management, quality of life, body terrain imbalances, and mind-body health. An integrative, whole-person approach combines both approaches. Learn about different medical professionals within integrative oncology and find directories of practitioners working in integrative cancer care.
Find directories for integrative oncology professionals ›
On this page
Integrative oncology: an overview ›
Directories of integrative oncologists and other professionals ›
Descriptions of different medical approaches and how to find professionals ›
Guidance for choosing and collaborating with integrative oncology professionals ›
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Integrative oncology: an overview
Most people start with conventional medicine which focuses on chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and more. Beyond conventional care, many further choices are available in several distinct medical systems.
Integrative medicine includes combining conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary and lifestyle medicine. Integrative oncology is practiced both by oncologists and other healthcare practitioners with a special interest in oncology. Integrative oncologists › are trained in conventional medicine, with additional training in integrating conventional, complementary, and lifestyle approaches in cancer care.
Naturopathic medicine › is a distinct primary healthcare profession that emphasizes prevention, treatment, and achieving optimal health by using therapeutic methods and natural products to stimulate the body’s inherent self-healing processes. Naturopathic oncologists (with a FABNO designation) are licensed in naturopathic medicine as well as certified in naturopathic oncology care. These practitioners can prescribe natural therapies and lifestyle approaches as well as recommend and coordinate your use of other complementary therapies (within their areas of training) in collaboration with your primary oncologist.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) › is a highly developed medical system that has been practiced for over 2,000 years and is widely integrated into modern healthcare in China, where it is used alongside conventional Western medicine in hospitals. In many Chinese hospitals, TCM treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong are routinely offered to patients for managing chronic diseases, supporting recovery, and reducing the side effects of conventional treatments like chemotherapy. TCM is also now widely accepted and used globally.
Ayurveda › is an ancient medical system from India, practiced for over 3,000 years, that focuses on balancing the body’s energies, or doshas, through personalized treatments including herbal medicine, diet, and lifestyle practices. In India today, Ayurveda is widely integrated into the healthcare system, with Ayurvedic hospitals and clinics offering treatments alongside conventional medicine.
Functional medicine › is a personalized healthcare approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and aims to restore balance, promoting overall health rather than simply treating symptoms.
Anthroposophic medicine › pays equal attention to the body, soul, and spirit of the patient and includes a holistic understanding of humans and nature and of disease and treatment. It is integrated with conventional medicine in large hospitals and medical practices worldwide, but mostly in Europe. Anthroposophic health care is provided by medical doctors, therapists, and nurses.
Homeopathic medicine › is based on the theory that “like cures like”—a very small dose of a substance that causes a symptom in a healthy person may cure the illness.
Any of the medical professionals described above may complete special training and certifications to enhance their cancer care. In your community, you may also be able to find practitioners of specific therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, nutrition, physical therapy, and more. These therapies can assist with many side effects of cancer treatment and promote healing and wellness.
When selecting professionals, we recommend that you start by finding and narrowing your candidates for your primary oncology provider. But wherever you start, within each type of medical system that you plan to use, ideally you’ll want to find a professional who is willing to collaborate with professionals in your other chosen systems.
Find integrative oncologists and other professionals
- Find integrative oncology professionals:
- Find integrative professionals, within which you can search for oncology professionals:
- Graduates › of the Fellowship in the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona
- Nancy’s List Directory of Integrative Practitioners and Healing Centers ›
- Yes to Life › A UK based non-profit with a directory of all types of integrative professionals
- Terrain Certified Practitioner Directory › A directory of many different practitioners, look for MDs or NDs
- Find naturopaths:
- Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP): Directory ›
- American Association of Naturopathic Physicians: Online Directory ›
- Find Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners:
- The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine provides a searchable directory › of professionals.
- Find Ayurveda practitioners:
- National Ayurvedic Medical Association: Find an Ayurvedic Professional ›
- Find functional medicine practitioners:
- The Institute for Functional Medicine: Find A Practitioner › referral network
- Find anthroposophic medicine practitioners:
- Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophic Medicine: Directory of Providers ›
- Find homeopathic practitioners:
- National Center for Homeopathy: Find a Homeopath ›
Descriptions of different medical approaches and how to find professionals
Guidance for choosing and collaborating with integrative oncology professionals
Meet the Practitioner Podcast episodes
Hear from different practitioners to learn more about what it’s like to work with an integrative professionals:
Learn more
Keep reading about how to integrate your choices
Reviewer of selected sections
Dr. Rao is a medical oncologist, the medical director of integrative oncology at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, and director of medical oncology for genitourinary cancer at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. He is the 2022-23 president-elect of the Society for Integrative Oncology. Dr. Rao is also the host of the podcast Integrative Oncology Talk, with support from the Society for Integrative Oncology.
After graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School and completing a residency program in internal medicine at the University of California San Diego, Dr. Rao completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona and later obtained a board certification in integrative medicine through the American Board of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Rao has trained in Ayurveda and Healing Touch. He also attended the Leadership Program in Integrative Medicine at Duke University. His research interests include genitourinary oncology, sleep, and integrative medicine implementation and program development.
Christine has a dynamic background in the life sciences, public health, and program operations. Her career began at the lab bench with a Gates Foundation-funded HIV Vaccine research group, which led her to graduate studies in public health epidemiology at UC Berkeley. Her research experience spans clinical epidemiology research to evaluating the impacts of community nutrition programs in Los Angeles, the Central Valley, and Oakland. Most recently she has worked in executive operations for a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Personally, Christine is passionate about holistic health and wellness. She is a clinical herbalist and Reiki master, and she has been practicing yoga for 15+ years. She brings a breadth of experiences to her work leading the CancerChoices program.
Last update: October 14, 2024
Last full resource review: August 2021
CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.
