The Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO) defines integrative medicine as a “patient-centred, evidence-informed field of cancer care” that combines mind-body practices, natural products, and lifestyle modifications with conventional treatments. This holistic approach seeks to merge the benefits of integrative and traditional methods, ensuring that therapies are safe and effective. These practices are administered by qualified professionals who have the necessary expertise and regulatory oversight.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) organizes complementary modalities into three main categories: nutrition, psychological, and physical. Nutrition focuses on dietary habits and natural products, psychological aspects encompass mindfulness and spirituality, and physical modalities include massage and spinal manipulation. Recently, mind-body practices—such as acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, music therapy, and meditation—have gained recognition for their roles in both preventive and reactive care.

In the realm of cancer risk reduction, integrative approaches consider genetic predispositions and lifetime exposures while combining conventional methods with complementary alternatives. Non-Western healing traditions, such as Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Native American medicine, offer valuable perspectives in this comprehensive approach. Integrative oncology encourages healthy lifestyle choices, appropriate cancer screenings, and a balanced sense of wellness.

Emerging evidence underscores the positive impact of integrative oncology on cancer care outcomes, particularly in managing symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety, hot flashes, insomnia, neuropathy, and dry mouth. This patient-specific approach aligns with individual goals, values, and cultural backgrounds, making personalization and cultural sensitivity crucial.