Beyond chemo: How a new approach to cancer recovery is changing lives
When Kamala, a 47-year-old woman from New Zealand, was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, her hopes for recovery dimmed quickly. Kamala's case is one of only 17 known globally involving squamous cell carcinoma developing from mature cystic teratomas.After two surgeries failed to contain the aggressive tumour, her scans revealed metastases across the pelvic peritoneum, lymph nodes, and lungs. "There was nothing else left for me in New Zealand," she told IndiaToday.in.advertisementThat's when Kamala turned to an integrative approach to cancer care in India. At a private oncology centre in Gurugram, she underwent a mix of conventional and personalised therapies, including chemotherapy guided by genetic profiling, nutritional interventions, and the use of natural compounds like vitamin C and curcumin.
Three months later, she was declared cancer-free.While Kamala's story is extraordinary, it also brings up a growing question in the world of oncology: should more cancer patients consider integrative medicine as part of their recovery?WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY?Integrative oncology doesn't aim to replace conventional cancer treatment. Instead, it seeks to complement it by combining chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery with personalised nutrition, mind-body practices, and, in some centres, elements of traditional medicine such as ayurveda."We don't ask patients to skip chemotherapy or surgery. That remains the backbone of treatment," said Dr. Arpan Talwar, co-founder of Art of Healing Cancer.
Integrative oncology doesn't aim to replace conventional cancer treatment. Instead, it seeks to complement it. ()
advertisement"But there are gaps that conventional medicine doesn't always address, like managing side effects, strengthening the immune system, or targeting mutations that don't yet have drugs. That's where integrative strategies come in," he added.Central to this approach is precision oncology, the idea that treatment should be guided by a patient's unique genetic profile."We customise everything, from chemotherapy drugs to diet, based on how the tumour's genes behave. If a tumour is feeding on protein, then a high-protein diet could do more harm than good," explained Roshika Tiwari, a Gurugram-based cancer genetic researcher.This isn't just theory. European research in this area called Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs) - a multidisciplinary panel that guides treatment decisions based on genetic findings - is gaining traction.The European Society for Medical Oncology, in a set of guidelines published in Annals of Oncology, advocates for MTBs in hospitals to personalise care, monitor outcomes, and support decisions on off-label or investigational therapies.WHAT DOES SCIENCE SAY?There is emerging evidence to support parts of integrative cancer care. Precision medicine, for instance, has shown success in improving treatment response in various cancers by targeting actionable mutations.According to the US National Cancer Institute, more than 400 cancer-related genes can now be matched to targeted therapies, though hundreds more still lack drugs.
More than 400 cancer-related genes can now be matched to targeted therapies, though hundreds more still lack drugs. ()
Nutrition, too, plays a measurable role in recovery. "Malnutrition and muscle loss are linked to poorer outcomes. We've seen patients complete chemotherapy with fewer interruptions when their diet is personalised and closely monitored," said Shikha Singh, a nutritionist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute's department of hemato-oncology and bone marrow transplantation.Singh recalled a breast cancer patient who regained weight, energy, and mental well-being through a high-protein, calorie-dense diet tailored to their body's needs, allowing them to finish treatment on time.But experts also warned against falling for fads. "There are plenty of myths, like cutting out all sugar or going vegan to cure cancer. Diet should always be evidence-based and supervised," Dr. Singh added.TAKE CAUTIONDespite some remarkable case studies, integrative medicine in cancer remains a grey area in mainstream oncology.Many natural substances being used, curcumin, antioxidants, ayurvedic herbs, lack large-scale clinical trials to confirm their benefits or interactions with chemotherapy. advertisementHowever, according to experts, the problem is not the idea, it's the lack of regulation. Combining alternative therapies with conventional treatment requires proper monitoring.Some doctors also raise concerns about commercial clinics promoting unproven combinations of herbal remedies and dietary changes as "cures."While genomic testing is becoming more accessible, it remains expensive and largely confined to urban centres in India, and "there's a long way to go before we can democratise precision oncology," Tiwari said.A NEED FOR INTEGRATION, NOT POLARISATIONGlobally, integrative oncology is gaining recognition, not as a replacement but as a companion. Major cancer centres in Europe and the US are experimenting with yoga therapy, nutritional genomics, and stress-reduction programs, especially for patients in advanced stages.Dr. Mandeep Singh, founder of Art of Healing Cancer, believes that the future of cancer care should be interdisciplinary.
While genomic testing is becoming more accessible, it remains expensive and largely confined to urban centres in India. ()
advertisement"We already use substances like turmeric or vitamin C. The question is: can we use them in precise doses, backed by genetic science, alongside conventional treatment? That's what we're trying to figure out," said Dr. Singh. The expert suggested the potential of supportive care approaches such as nutrition and mental health in improving quality of life during cancer treatment. But clear, evidence-based frameworks are still missing for wider use.SHOULD WE TURN TO INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE?For patients like Kamala, integrative medicine was life-changing. For others, it may be supplementary, or even unnecessary.The real question isn't whether integrative oncology works for everyone, it's whether we're ready to design cancer care around the individual, not just the disease.That includes allowing for experimentation, as long as it's rooted in science.Until more large-scale studies emerge, experts recommend caution, collaboration, and clarity.
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