Integrative Oncology: Evidence-Based Complementary Cancer Care
Integrative oncology combines conventional cancer treatment with evidence-based complementary therapies to improve quality of life, manage treatment side effects, and support immune function — without replacing your oncology team's care.
What Is Integrative Oncology?
Integrative oncology is a patient-centred discipline that combines evidence-based complementary therapies with conventional cancer treatment. Its goal is to improve quality of life, reduce treatment-related side effects, and support the body's resilience — while maintaining the safety and efficacy of your oncology protocol.
The term "integrative" is precise: these therapies are integrated into — not substituted for — your conventional treatment. A diagnosis of cancer brings physical and emotional challenges that conventional oncology alone does not always address. Fatigue, nausea, anxiety, sleep disruption, and the psychological weight of treatment are real clinical problems. Integrative oncology addresses them directly.
Dr Saskia Kloppenburg Vieth holds an NHS appointment at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (RLHIM) — the only NHS hospital in the UK offering integrative medicine services — and is a Member of the Faculty of Homeopathy (MFHom). Her private integrative oncology consultations are available UK-wide via remote 60-minute appointments. Every recommendation she makes is assessed for its evidence base and its compatibility with your existing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapy protocol.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) both publish clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology. Dr Kloppenburg's prescribing aligns with these guidelines and with NICE recommendations where applicable.
How Integrative Oncology Works Alongside Conventional Cancer Treatment
The two approaches address different dimensions of cancer care. Understanding how they complement each other helps patients make informed decisions.
| Dimension | Conventional Oncology | Integrative Oncology (Dr Kloppenburg) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Tumour reduction, remission, survival | Quality of life, symptom management, resilience |
| Approach | Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy | Mistletoe, IV vitamin C, medicinal mushrooms, nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine |
| Side effect focus | Antiemetics, growth factors, pain management | Fatigue, nausea, anxiety, sleep, immune support |
| Prescribing basis | RCT evidence, NICE/ESMO guidelines | Evidence-based complementary therapies; drug-herb interaction review |
| Relationship to NHS | NHS or private oncology team | Works alongside your oncology team; writes to your consultant |
| Consultation format | In-person, clinic-based | Remote 60-minute consultation; written care plan within 5 working days |
Evidence-based therapies
Complementary Therapies Dr Kloppenburg Prescribes
Every therapy below is selected for its evidence base, safety profile, and compatibility with conventional cancer treatment. Nothing is prescribed without a full drug-herb interaction review.
Mistletoe Therapy
Viscum album
Subcutaneous mistletoe extract is the most extensively researched complementary cancer therapy in Europe. Clinical evidence supports improvements in quality of life, fatigue, and tolerance of chemotherapy.
Over 100 clinical studies; ESMO / Society for Integrative Oncology
Read about mistletoe therapy for cancerIV Vitamin C Therapy
High-dose ascorbic acid
Intravenous high-dose ascorbic acid supports immune function, reduces cancer-related fatigue, and improves quality of life during and after conventional cancer treatment.
Multiple Phase I/II trials; NCI-reviewed evidence base
Read about IV vitamin C in cancer careMedicinal Mushroom Therapy
Beta-glucan immunomodulators
Beta-glucan-rich species including reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) are prescribed for immune modulation during cancer treatment.
RCT evidence for PSK/PSP (turkey tail); Society for Integrative Oncology
Read about medicinal mushroom therapy for immune supportHomeopathy in Cancer Care
Individualised prescribing
Individualised homeopathic prescribing for symptom management — nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and treatment side effects — without pharmacological drug interactions.
RLHIM NHS clinical practice; RCT evidence for symptom management
Read about homeopathy in cancer careNutritional Therapy
Evidence-based dietary medicine
Personalised dietary strategies and evidence-based supplementation to support treatment tolerance, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve long-term resilience.
WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations; ESPEN oncology nutrition guidelines
Read about nutritional therapy during cancer treatmentEricksonian Hypnotherapy & NLP
Mind-body medicine
Evidence-informed mind-body techniques for managing anxiety, chronic pain, anticipatory nausea, and emotional wellbeing during cancer care.
NICE-recognised; Cochrane reviews support hypnotherapy for cancer-related anxiety
Read about Ericksonian hypnotherapy and NLP for cancer patientsWho it is for
Who Benefits from Integrative Oncology Consultations
Patients currently receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Managing side effects — fatigue, nausea, peripheral neuropathy, immune suppression — while maintaining treatment tolerance.
Post-treatment survivors
Addressing long-term effects: persistent fatigue, cognitive changes ("chemo brain"), anxiety, and fear of recurrence.
Patients with a new cancer diagnosis
Preparing the body before treatment begins. Nutritional optimisation and immune support before surgery or chemotherapy.
Patients on active surveillance or hormone therapy
Managing the side effects of long-term hormone therapy — joint pain, hot flushes, bone density — with evidence-based complementary approaches.
Safety and governance
Safety-First Prescribing in Integrative Oncology
The most significant clinical risk in integrative oncology is not the complementary therapy itself — it is the interaction between a complementary therapy and a chemotherapy agent. Some herbal medicines and supplements affect cytochrome P450 enzymes, which metabolise many chemotherapy drugs. St John's Wort, for example, is contraindicated with several targeted therapies. High-dose antioxidants may reduce the efficacy of some radiotherapy protocols.
Dr Kloppenburg reviews your complete medication list — including all supplements you are already taking — before making any recommendation. She does not prescribe anything she cannot justify clinically. For patients with complex drug regimens, she liaises with the prescribing oncologist directly.
Dr Kloppenburg is GMC-registered (No. 7541548) and subject to the same professional standards and revalidation requirements as any NHS consultant.
What to expect
What an Integrative Oncology Consultation Includes
Pre-consultation review
Dr Kloppenburg reviews your medical history, oncology letters, current medications, and blood results before your appointment.
60-minute consultation
A thorough, unhurried conversation by telephone or video call covering your symptoms, treatment side effects, and goals.
Drug-herb interaction review
Every supplement and herbal medicine is checked against your chemotherapy or targeted therapy protocol.
Written personalised care plan
Sent within 5 working days. Includes evidence references, safety notes, dosing guidance, and clear next steps.
Report for your oncologist
A written summary of Dr Kloppenburg's assessment and recommendations, sent to your oncologist or GP on request.
Follow-up email support
A follow-up query by email within 5 working days of receiving your care plan.
Related topics in this section
Complementary therapies during chemotherapy
Which therapies are safe to use during chemotherapy, and which must be avoided.
Managing chemotherapy side effects
Evidence-based approaches to fatigue, nausea, peripheral neuropathy, and immune suppression.
Nutrition and cancer treatment
WCRF/AICR-aligned nutritional strategies for patients during and after cancer treatment.
Post-treatment survivorship
Long-term support for survivors: fatigue, cognitive changes, anxiety, and fear of recurrence.
Radiotherapy support
Complementary approaches to managing radiotherapy side effects and skin reactions.
Safety in polypharmacy and integrative oncology
How drug-herb interactions are assessed and managed in integrative oncology practice.
Frequently asked questions
Questions About Integrative Oncology
What is the difference between integrative oncology and alternative medicine?
Integrative oncology uses evidence-based complementary therapies alongside — not instead of — conventional cancer treatment. Alternative medicine replaces conventional treatment. Dr Kloppenburg does not practise alternative medicine. Every therapy she prescribes is assessed for its evidence base and its compatibility with your existing oncology protocol.
Can I use complementary therapies during chemotherapy?
Many complementary therapies are safe during chemotherapy when prescribed by a physician who understands drug-herb interactions. Some supplements interact with chemotherapy agents and must be avoided. Dr Kloppenburg reviews your full medication list and chemotherapy protocol before making any recommendation.
Does my oncologist need to refer me?
No referral is required. You can self-refer by calling 07575 424024 or completing the online consultation request form. Dr Kloppenburg will write to your oncologist or GP with a summary of her assessment and recommendations, with your consent.
Is integrative oncology available on the NHS?
The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (RLHIM) is the only NHS hospital in the UK offering integrative medicine services. Dr Kloppenburg holds an NHS appointment there. Private consultations with her are available UK-wide via remote 60-minute appointments.
What does a 60-minute integrative oncology consultation include?
Dr Kloppenburg reviews your full medical history, current medications, oncology letters, and blood results before your appointment. The consultation covers your symptoms, treatment side effects, and goals. You receive a written personalised care plan within 5 working days, including evidence references, safety notes, and a report for your oncologist if requested.
Book an integrative oncology consultation
Call 07575 424024 or complete the online request form. All consultations are 60 minutes, conducted remotely, and available UK-wide. Dr Kloppenburg will write to your oncologist with a summary of her assessment.
Remote consultations · UK-wide · 60 minutes · Book via call or online request