New oncology program bridges mainstream, alternative medicine

Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center has started an integrative oncology program to gauge the effectiveness of alternative dietary and lifestyle therapies in cancer prevention and care. Research and patient-care efforts will explore the effectiveness of new treatment and preventative approaches more and more people are trying, such as herbal supplements, nutrition, meditation, pet/animal-assisted therapy, healing touch, acupuncture, music and art therapy and exercise. “Eighty percent of cancer patients use some form of complementary or alternative medicine,” says UCI oncologist Dr. Randall Holcombe (pictured), who started the program. “We recognize that alternative therapies can be effective, and we hope to establish a standard of care for those that work.”