In episode 4 of the Synthesis Clinic podcast Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel and Dr Penny Kechagioglou discuss integrative oncology, which seeks to rationally combine the best of conventional, nutritional, lifestyle and evidence-informed complementary medicine to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Integrative oncology aims to support better quality of life, improve resilience, minimise the side effects of treatment and improve clinical outcomes.

About Dr Penny Kechagioglou:

Dr Penny Kechagioglou is a senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist in the NHS and private sector, specialising in breast cancer, and she integrates the latest evidence-based medicine with lifestyle and complementary approaches to cancer care. Dr Kechagioglou holds senior leadership roles in the NHS. She is the Co-Chair of the British Society for Integrative Oncology and a Board Trustee member at Penny Brohn UK and CoppaFeel UK. Dr Penny Kechagioglou is also chairing the upcoming Integrative Oncology UK 2022 conference in May.

About Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel:
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is an Oxbridge-trained medical doctor and scientist with over a decade’s experience in integrative health and in-depth additional training in nutrition, integrative and herbal medicine, yoga, mindfulness and other modalities. Dr Nina is a Fellow of the College of Medicine and the Co-Chair of BSIO, specialising in complex multisystem women's health cases and integrative cancer care with a particular interest in precision integrative oncology. Dr Nina is the Director of Synthesis Clinic, combining her clinical work with education for healthcare professionals and participating in national and international expert panels in cancer care.

Further information and resources:

• Integrative oncology care impact - recent studies:

  • Breast cancer - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34961816/

  • Gynaecological cancer - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33404816/

• Integrative Oncology UK 2022 conference for healthcare professionals:

  • https://integrativeoncologyuk.com/

• Blogs by Dr Nina and Dr Penny for BSIO:

  • https://www.bsio.org.uk/blog/integrative-oncology-matters

  • https://www.bsio.org.uk/blog/integrative-oncology-principles-and-directions

• Professional organisations

  • BSIO (British Society for Integrative Oncology) - https://www.bsio.org.uk/

  • SIO (Society for Integrative Oncology) - https://integrativeonc.org/

• Selection of integrative oncology guidelines:

  • https://integrativeonc.org/practice-guidelines/guidelines

• Your Life and Cancer educational event

  • https://www.yourlifeandcancer.com/

• Charities:

  • Yes To Life - https://yestolife.org.uk/

  • Penny Brohn UK - https://www.pennybrohn.org.uk

To find out more about Synthesis Clinic, our philosophy and our multidisciplinary team, please click here.

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