Integrative Oncology in Breast Cancer Care

Integrative Oncology (IO) is an evolving evidence-informed field of medicine with little high-quality professional literature currently available to support clinical practice. This book provides a robust introduction to integrative oncology and a practical toolkit for clinicians working with breast cancer patients. 

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women globally with growing incidence, and breast cancer patients are the most frequent users of integrative oncology practices. This book addresses the whole person journey from prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The approaches and tools discussed can help guide clinicians on how to support better quality of life, improve patient resilience, minimise the side effects of treatment and optimise clinical outcomes for people impacted by breast cancer. 

Healthcare professionals are asking for further education on Integrative Oncology, as evidenced by the BSIO (British Society for Integrative Oncology) survey results, webinars and conference engagements. Our growing BSIO membership highlights the need to educate and train healthcare professionals, and this book is written by clinicians for clinicians.

Dr Kechagioglou is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Medical Director who has been trained in Functional Medicine and Health Coaching. She specialises in the oncological management of patients with breast cancer and she is passionate about integrating evidence-based medical and complementary therapies to improve clinical outcomes in breast cancer. Dr Kechagioglou has chaired the British Society for Integrative Oncology for two years and currently co-chairs the Education and Training BSIO sub-committee. She is also the co-founder on the ONCIO Integrative Oncology App which supports cancer patients with information, courses and tools to optimise their health and wellbeing.

Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is an award-winning Oxbridge-trained Integrative Medicine doctor, scientist and educator with over a decade’s experience in integrative healthcare. Dr Fuller-Shavel is a Fellow of the College of Medicine, the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the RoyalSociety of Arts. Dr Fuller-Shavel was the Co-Chair of BSIO (British Society for Integrative Oncology) over 2021-2023 and now co-chairs the BSIO Education Committee. Alongside her scientific and medical training, Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel holds multiple qualifications in nutrition, functional and integrative medicine, health coaching, herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, yoga, mindfulness and other therapeutic approaches. Dr Fuller-Shavel is the founder and Director of Synthesis Clinic, an innovative multidisciplinary practice in the UK, specialising in women’s health and integrative cancer care. Dr Fuller-Shavel is active in education and research, as well as contributing to journal editorial boards and guideline development panels nationally and internationally. Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is also the Co-Founder of Oncio CIC, an innovative non-profit that recently launched the Oncio app, empowering people impacted by cancer to put integrative oncology tools and strategies into action.