Supporting Cancer Survivors, The 2nd International Oncology Acupuncture Symposium ​

Caring for individuals going through their journey with cancer is a collaborative patient centered process. The health care system is evolving from a unidirectional treatment providing system to a more comprehensive care model incorporating Complementary and Integrative Health modalities – a model that our community has been at the forefront of delivering. Care should equip patients to thrive than just survive through their journey. Acupuncture has proven to be successful in managing some key medical challenges that these individuals deal with such as anxiety, stress, fatigue etc.The COVID-19 Pandemic imposed unprecedented challenges in delivering care to all patients, in particular individuals with cancer. Adopting a model of practice that accommodates both the medical requirements of delivering care during the pandemic and continues creating a healing environment for patients needed new creativity and flexibility in service delivery. We were able to not only continue our regular acupuncture services, but also created a space for the patients to receive care and feel supported through telehealth.

Iman Majd MD, MS, L.Ac ABoIM, Dr. Iman Majd, Director of Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Washington, is an associate professor, Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, Family Medicine and acupuncture at the Department of Family Medicine at University of Washington, Seattle. He is the first physician to create a successful model incorporating Integrative Medicine and Acupuncture consult in primary care service line at UW.Dr. Majd has a long history of advocating for Integrative Health and Medicine at the national and international level, collaborating with national organizations in initiatives to make Integrative Medicine more accessible to all patients. He is dedicated in bringing non-conventional practices into practice and helping the next generation of providers to harness skills for a data-supported person-centered integrated approach to health and well-being.He currently serves at the Board of commissioners of the NCCAOM, the Academic Consortium for integrative Medicine and Health and is the President of Medical Acupuncture Research Foundation (MARF).

Dr. Majd has been involved with different research studies in the field of Integrative Medicine and Acupuncture, including his recent research on auricular acupuncture for pain management in group setting that was funded through American Academy of Family Physicians.In his practice he uses an integrated East-West approach to health, bringing the knowledge and wisdom from Eastern and Western medicine together to educate his patients, collaborate with and empower them in their journey to optimal health.

Five Elements blocks to treatment are amongst the most fascinating interventions I have observed in 25 years of acupuncture research. Associated with blockages in the patient’s qi, they can have profound negative effects on a patient’s physical and psychological health. These phenomena may be a common presentation amongst cancer survivors; clearing blocks has the potential to facilitate profound change in a cancer survivor’s wellbeing. Useful treatment options, they can be considered by any acupuncturist, whether they are working within a Five Elements or other theoretical framework.

Beverley de Valois, PhD LicAc FBAcC MBLSFor nearly 25 years, I have been a practicing acupuncturist in the UK and a Researcher in Integrative Medicine at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Within the Supportive Oncology Research Team, I have conducted several pioneering studies into using acupuncture to manage the consequences of cancer treatments. I am an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and was Chair of the British Lymphology Society (BLS) Scientific Committee from 2017-2020. In addition to many publications in scientific journals, I am the author of “Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: Recovery, Renewal and Transformation” published by Singing Dragon. 

Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in cancer treatment, and recent preclinical studies have shown promise. However, conflicting results have been reported in few studies. We present the results of a systematic review, where we analyze the available evidence on the use of medicinal mushrooms in cancer treatment. We assess their effects on survival, immunological outcomes, quality of life and adverse effect profiles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge and highlights the need for further research to clarify the potential benefits of medicinal mushrooms in cancer management.

Dr. Narayanan is a American board of Internal Medicine certified physician who has made significant contributions to the field of integrative medicine and oncology. In 2015, Dr. Narayanan joined MD Anderson Cancer Center, co-founded, and served as the associate director of the MD Anderson Onco-hospitalist fellowship program. Her involvement in this program helped shape a comprehensive approach to patient care that goes beyond conventional medical interventions. Driven by her desire for a whole-person approach to address unique needs of cancer patients, she transitioned to the integrative medicine center in 2018. Since then, she has dedicated her efforts to promoting an integrative approach to cancer care. Her focus revolves around incorporating various aspects such as diet, exercise, mind-body approaches into the treatment plans of her patients and counseling on supplements.Dr. Narayanan is a co-author of over 35 publications, and multiple book chapters, and her expertise and insights have been sought after by numerous national and international conferences, where she has been invited to speak as an expert in the field. Her work continues to impact the lives of cancer patients, promoting a comprehensive and integrative approach that addresses their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Female survivors of hormone receptorpositive breast cancer continue to take selective estrogen receptors (e.g., Tamoxifen) or aromatase inhibitors (e.g., Anastrazole, Letrozole, etc.) for years following the treatment of their tumor. While effective for preventing cancer recurrence these drugs are accompanied by hot flashes and other side effects which can significantly impair quality of life. Acupuncture has been shown to be both a safe and effective in reducing hot flashes, possibly via the central release of endorphins, serotonin, and ACTH.

Dr. Noah Samuels is an Israeli physician, board-certified in Internal Medicine and with extensive training and experience in TCM and Integrative Oncology. He teaches Integrative Medicine to medical students at three Israeli universities, and has published more than 90 research papers, most in the field of Integrative Oncology.

• Director, Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
  Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israe.

Oncology acupuncture has become an increasingly utilized integrative therapy for cancer patients in recent years. However, practices, regulations, and research vary significantly between China, where acupuncture originated, the United States and European countries.This presentation provides an overview of the current state of oncology acupuncture in these different regions. Learning objectives include:1. Compare and contrast acupuncture techniques commonly used for cancer symptom management in China, the US and Europe;
2. Examine differences in acupuncture’s acceptance, insurance coverage, and regulation between these regions;
3. Discuss the focus of acupuncture research in China vs. the West;
4. Propose opportunities for collaborative research and navigating regulatory variations. Key differences in techniques are highlighted, such as China’s use of acupuncture for gastric and colon cancers vs. breast cancer in the West, and China’s extensive use of electroacupuncture compared to manual acupuncture in the US and Europe. Chinese research tends to focus on acupuncture’s mechanistic actions on the body, while research in the West emphasizes clinical outcomes. High quality clinical research is generated in US. Strict regulations on acupuncture practice exist in the U.S. and Europe, but are less defined in China. This cross-cultural comparison of oncology acupuncture ultimately aims to promote integration and optimization of techniques from different regions to improve patient care globally.

Weidong Lu, MB, MPH, PhD is an Oncology Acupuncturist and the Oncology Acupuncture Team Leader at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). He is a principal investigator at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and the lead investigator of the Chinese Medicine Research Initiative at DFCI. Dr. Lu is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a Professor Emeritus of Chinese Medicine at the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). He chairs the Committee on Acupuncture at the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.Dr. Lu established the Oncology Acupuncture Specialty at DFCI in 2000 and has dedicated his research to integrative medicine, with a focus on integrative oncology. His research centers on developing the oncology acupuncture specialty; conducting clinical research on symptom management and supportive care using integrative approaches including acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine; investigating drug-herbal interactions and their impacts on clinical practice; and designing and leading clinical trials of oncology acupuncture. He has published over 60 peerreviewed research papers and book chapters, and has presented his work nationally and globally, including North America, Europe, and Asia.