Meetings

Society for Integrative Oncology Conferences

Formed in 2004, the Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO) serves as a scientific forum for complementary therapies used in cancer care. SIO consists of professionals who have a common goal of reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life for cancer patients internationally. SIO promotes the scientific evaluation of complementary modalities, shares study results, and encourages symptom control with therapies that are found to be beneficial.

In November 2004, the1st International Conference of the SIO brought together over 600 healthcare professionals dedicated to studying and facilitating the cancer treatment and recovery process through the use of integrated complementary therapies. There were 87 abstract presentations given during the conference. The keynote address was given by Larry Norton, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Proceedings are available in the December 2005 issue of the new publication Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

The 2nd SIO International Conference took place at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, California, from November 10-12, 2005. At the conference, Dr. Oluwadamilola Olaku, Scientific Program Analyst at OCCAM, presented selected results of two OCCAM surveys (one conducted with cancer researchers and the other with CAM practitioners) assessing the interests, perceived opportunities, and concerns regarding cancer CAM research.

For more information, visit http://www.integrativeonc.org.

OCCAM’s Invited Speaker Series

OCCAM's Invited Speakers Series brings experts to NIH to present issues relevant to or the latest findings of cancer CAM research. On May 5th, 2005, Dr. Lorenzo Cohen of The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center presented “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer: The Road to China.” Dr. Cohen described how the use of western medical tools, such as medical imaging studies, are guiding traditional Chinese medicine treatments at Fudan Cancer Hospital in Shanghai, China.

In addition to Dr. Cohen's presentation, previous presentations and summary documents of the Invited Speaker Series are available for view through the OCCAM Web site at http://cam.cancer.gov//news_lectures.html.

Unique CAM Symposium Held in the United Kingdom

In June 2004, the research symposium Complementary Therapies and Cancer Care was hosted by the Complementary Cancer Care Charities Partnership and the National Cancer Research Institute, with financial support from OCCAM. Since no event of this kind had ever been held before in the United Kingdom, the primary goal of this symposium was to generate an achievable agenda for complementary therapies and cancer care research in the UK. Displaying his ongoing commitment to integrated healthcare, The Prince of Wales delivered the keynote address.

Researchers, health professionals, policy makers, consumers, as well as representatives from major cancer charities attended the symposium with the common goal of advancing the knowledge of safe complementary therapies for cancer. The necessity for collaboration and communication across many fields and disciplines was a major theme that emerged from the forum. Likewise, participants also held a united belief that the goal of moving the science and practice forward was to benefit cancer patients and their families.