Can you help advance an integrative approach to cancer?

On 15th May there is the Integrative Oncology UK21 conference aimed at healthcare professionals. It is all about the benefits of integrating conventional cancer treatments alongside evidence-informed psychological, nutritional, lifestyle and complementary strategies.

See details at: https://integrativeoncologyuk.com

This last year has been hugely challenging but also represents a turning point in terms of a growing recognition and acceptance of the importance of an integrative approach to health generally, but particularly in cancer care. The Your Life and Cancer conference attracted many people who were directly affected by cancer but also doctors and other healthcare professionals who wanted to carry on with discussions. 

Robin Daly, Chair and Founder of Yes to Life said: "Conversations that followed prompted a renewed interest in the British Society for Integrative Oncology (BSIO) as being the forum to continue those discussions. Driven by this fresh wave of enthusiasm, the BSIO have attracted new committee members (including a number of oncologists), have created a new website, launched a new membership package and are now working in association with Progressive Communications (our partners for the Your Life and Cancer event) to deliver a new Integrative Medicine conference, specifically for healthcare professionals. The first 'Integrative Oncology UK 2021' will be held online on 15 May 2021."

Contact your medical team?

This latest event is another example of the slow but quickening shift to a more integrative approach in our health services. Those of us living with cancer can play a key role in influencing our health care. Many of us can see that there is a growing openness to integrative approaches, but we have a long way to go. Contacting our medical team, oncologists, nurses and more about the conference can play a role in helping the medical community understand how many of us would love to see health care developing. 

I’ve already contacted my oncologist and a friend has also emailed theirs and had a very positive reply. I think many are wanting to understand what their patients are exploring. What is the evidence? What works? 

What's it all about?

The goal of the BSIO and the conference is that Integrative healthcare should be available and delivered seamlessly to all those whose lives are affected by cancer. This online event aims to provide delegates with a strategic toolkit of practical take-home advice to help better support people in their care and ultimately optimise patient outcomes and long-term health. The programme will look at both prehab and rehab and how multi-professional interventions such as nutrition, exercise and wellbeing can result in better functional outcomes after cancer surgery and other oncological treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapies.

Speakers will discuss ways to help improve side effects of treatment such as pain, fatigue, radiation dermatitis, cognitive dysfunction, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy and other common complaints. Managing the psycho emotional side of cancer will also be addressed as well as living with metastatic disease and how practitioners can work with patients to prevent recurrence.

The conference website notes that delegates will leave with:

        • An understanding of the science and evidence base underpinning lifestyle and complementary approaches in cancer care.
        • Simple, practical tools that you can use in your daily practice to support and activate patients who might benefit from lifestyle changes and increased resilience.
        • Information on how and where to refer patients safely and appropriately for further integrative support.
        • Strategies to help optimise the health of your patients and in turn providing you with increased job satisfaction.

Visit the website: https://integrativeoncologyuk.com/ 

Download a PDF programme: https://usercontent.one/wp/integrativeoncologyuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Integrative_Oncology_UK_2021.pdf

Fluffy Vegan Quinoa pancakes

I do like a pancake…all sorts of pancakes…stacks of those American pancakes or buckwheat crepes… ...however with my largely gluten-free diet I have been cautious about some ingredients and also trying to be low carb. So I was delighted to be sent this recipe for pancakes that are not just light and fluffy but also have a slightly crispy texture to the outside of them. They are though still more of a treat!  

We’ve made them several times and a friend just requested the recipe - so here it is:

- 1 cup quinoa flour (ie quinoa ground into a fine meal – you can either buy it or make it yourself in a spice grinder)

- ½ tsp bicarb

- 1 tsp baking powder

- 1 cup plant milk (we’ve used full fat coconut milk but previously a soya milk; the soya needed a spoon of something like almond butter to get the texture right)

- 3-4 tsp maple syrup (we didn’t add this)

- 2 tsp lemon juice (need this to help pancake rise)

- 1 tbsp coconut oil for frying 

• In a bowl mix quinoa flour, baking powder and bicarb.
• Mix in the plant milk then lemon juice. 
• Spoon in a big dollop of the mix into the frying pan and cook for roughly 2 mins each side. Store the stack in the oven to keep warm.                

Serve with toasted almonds or coconut flakes with blueberries, pomegranate seeds, fresh figs or whatever takes your fancy!