Dr Kalinsky on the Medical Oncologist’s Role Within Integrative Breast Oncology

“Ideally, [we should be] evaluating those [integrative] modalities in a structured way.”

Kevin Kalinsky, MD, MS, FASCO, professor and director in the Division of Medical Oncology in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Emory University School of Medicine; as well as the Louisa and Rand Glenn Family Chair in Breast Cancer Research and the director of the Glenn Family Breast Center at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discussed the clinical significance of integrative oncology programs and the ongoing establishment of survivorship clinics within modern oncological care.

Kalinsky highlighted the necessity of offering integrative medicine practices in a structured and evidence-based manner to enhance patient support and long-term management. He emphasized the critical role of naturopaths within these programs, explaining that at the Winship Cancer Institute, these experts typically conduct 3 virtual consultations to provide patients with guidance on supplements, herbs, nutrition, and diet. This initiative is part of a broader effort to build comprehensive survivorship clinics that address the multifaceted needs of patients during and after their primary treatment, he said. By offering these specialized services, cancer institutions can provide more holistic approaches to recovery and wellness, he noted.

Kalinsky focused on the utility of acupuncture as a complementary therapy for specific treatment-related adverse effects (AEs) in patients with breast cancer. He acknowledged that acupuncture has proven beneficial for patients suffering from joint aches, which are a frequent AE associated with the aromatase inhibitors administered for the management of hormone receptor–positive disease. Kalinsky stressed that the adoption of such modalities must be rooted in rigorous scientific study, noting that randomized trials comparing real acupuncture with sham acupuncture have successfully demonstrated clinical benefit. Kalinsky concluded that the extent of available research for any integrative oncology approach should inform the best strategies to care for patients.