A global study led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, reveals that more than 8 in 10 cancer care providers worldwide do not know enough about integrative oncology to confidently recommend it to patients. This finding helps explain why evidence-based complementary therapies, such as yoga, acupuncture, and mindfulness training, remain underused despite increasing patient demand.
The study, published in Supportive Care in Cancer, surveyed 282 members of two international professional societies: the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and the Society for Integrative Oncology. Respondents included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, and complementary-therapy practitioners from more than a dozen world regions. The research aimed to identify specific obstacles preventing cancer patients from accessing supportive therapies that could ease treatment.
Integrative oncology combines standard cancer treatment with complementary approaches like nutrition counseling, acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, and mind-body practices. These therapies are intended to ease symptoms and improve quality of life during and after treatment. While prior research indicates most oncologists recommend at least one such therapy, recommendations are inconsistent, and many patients never learn about their options.
Researchers categorized 27 potential obstacles into four areas: knowledge, finances, logistics, and individual attitudes. Knowledge-related barriers received majority agreement from all respondents. More than 80 percent stated that a lack of provider experience and training impedes integrative oncology in their practices, and three-quarters reported that providers are simply unaware of what integrative oncology encompasses.
Alexandre Chan, professor of clinical pharmacy in UC Irvine’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and president of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, stated, "The good news here is that this isn’t a mystery we can’t solve." Chan and his co-authors suggest solutions such as continuing-education requirements, mentorship programs, and searchable resource libraries within electronic health records to close these gaps within existing health systems.
Financial concerns followed closely as a major barrier. Approximately 80 percent of respondents cited a lack of insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket costs as obstacles, with 88 percent believing their patients cannot afford complementary therapies. This challenge persists because the relatively young field of integrative oncology research provides insurers with little basis for reimbursement, often leaving patients responsible for costs.
Logistical issues also present significant hurdles. Eight of 13 system-level barriers, including the absence of referral pathways and a lack of time and interdisciplinary coordination, received majority acknowledgment. Notably, providers specializing in integrative medicine were three times more likely than general physicians to worry that recommending complementary care might delay conventional treatment, suggesting a communication gap between specialties.
Integrative oncology aims to make the physical, emotional, and financial burden of cancer treatment more manageable, with growing evidence supporting its use for pain, fatigue, and anxiety. However, if providers lack the confidence or the means to connect patients with these therapies, those with the most potential to help often do not reach the people who need them. This study provides a concrete list of fixes for hospitals, medical schools, and professional societies.
