Integrative Oncology in the United States: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center programme as prototype

摘要

Over the last two decades, cancer treatment has become increasingly sophisticated, resulting in high cure rates. But these treatments also cause difficult-to-treat and often long-term side effects. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, mind-body techniques, music therapy, fitness programmes and massage therapy are non-invasive, non-pharmacologic interventions that are used along with conventional treatment. These evidence-based therapies relieve symptoms and improve physical and emotional well-being. Strong clinical data indicate the value of complementary therapies in controlling symptoms associated with cancer and treatment. The author has developed one of the early integrative medicine programmes in the United States, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. The faculty and staff of this 60-member department provide inpatient and outpatient care, conduct research in collaboration with senior oncologists throughout the institution and produce training programmes for oncology-related professionals. Another important feature of this department is its “AboutHerbs” Web site (http://www.mskcc.org/aboutherbs), which provides current, evidence-based information about herbs and dietary supplements used by cancer patients, as well as herb-drug interactions, at no cost. The MSKCC department continues to serve as a prototype for integrative oncology programmes in the United States and around the world.