Abstract will be updated.

Abstract will be updated.

Homeopathy and Integrative Oncology: from scientific evidence to clinical practice, with a focus on Breast Cancer

Elio G. Rossi¹, Francesco Marino², Michael Frass³, Elizabeth Thompson⁴, Bindu John Pulparampil⁵, Francesca Andreazzoli⁶

¹ Regional Center of Integrative Medicine of the Region of Tuscany, Florence (Italy)
² Italian Foundation for Therapy Research of Integrative Oncology – ARTOI, Rome (Italy)
³ Medical University of Vienna, Medicine I, Clinical Division of Oncology, Vienna (Austria)
⁴ National Centre for Integrative Medicine, Bristol (UK)
⁵ Vinayaka Mission Deemed University, Salem, Tamil Nadu (India)
⁶ Versilia Hospital, Local Health Authority Tuscany North West, Viareggio (Italy)

Homeopathy and complementary integrative medicine (CIM) are particularly widespread in Europe among cancer patients. European studies indicate that approximately one in three cancer patients use CIM, with prevalence rates of up to 51% among adults and ranging from 6% to 91% among children, usually alongside with conventional oncological treatments. Integrative oncology with a focus on breast cancer is important clinically and socially. The presentations by speakers with extensive experience in this field, will contribute to defining research priorities, health policy, education, and interdisciplinary and international collaboration.

The main aim of this SIG workshop is explain how to tackle side effects of anticancer treatment with homeopathic remedies and other integrative oncology approaches. It will present pre-defined protocols aiming at reducing selected side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and anti-hormonal treatments, including hot flashes, and to improve patients’ quality of life.

In Europe and other countries, various non-conventional therapeutic intervention are designed to reduce adverse effects of cancer treatment and cancer-related symptoms. Therefore, comparison is necessary to identify the best-integrated therapies and strategies.

Target participants are clinicians, researchers, educators, students, policy makers, professional societies, healthcare workers and patient’s associations representatives.

The speakers’ presentations will address:

• The new Tuscan Regional Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Pathway of Integrative oncology: protocols and efficacy indicators.
• Homeopathy and integrative oncology in cancer clinical cases.
• Improved quality of life and prolonged survival with additive homeopathic treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
• Homeopathy and integrative oncology treatment of iatrogenic menopause symptoms in breast cancer.
• Investigating the effects of Conium maculatum as complementary treatment in triple negative breast cancer cells.
• Integrative oncology protocols in breast cancer symptoms.

Presentations will address clinical and laboratory evidence, clinical implementation, education and training needs, research priorities, regulations, and professional standards. The workshop will use a round-table format for participants and speakers. Participants will introduce themselves and describe their clinical and scientific experience, followed by PowerPoint presentations and two video presentations. It will conclude with panel discussion and audience questions.

We mainly seek oncology professionals and experts in CM, including homeopaths who wish guidance from experts in the field of oncology.

The main objective is to exchange clinical and laboratory experiences, establish protocols of proven efficacy for managing symptoms, identify best practices and explore the inclusion of integrative oncology facilities into national health services.

This SIG may contribute to improving complementary treatments and integrative clinical practice, and increasing patient-centred care in national health services. Clinical experiences all over the world suggest that homeopathy and other complementary therapies, including acupuncture, herbal medicine and non-herbal supplements, may help improve cancer patients’ quality of life.

Take-home message: It is possible to alleviate symptoms of the disease and adverse effects of cancer treatments using homeopathic and other non-pharmacological therapies, without the risk of interactions with conventional treatments throughout the diagnostic, therapeutic and care journey, thereby improving patients’ quality of life. It would therefore be desirable for every Comprehensive Cancer Centre to have specific integrative oncology clinics working closely with hospital oncology departments.

Keywords: Homeopathy and Integrative Oncology, International experiences, Clinical protocols.

Abstract will be updated.