Homeopathy and Complementary Medicine in Oncology in Tuscany Region (Italy): A Successful Integration in Public Health

 

Background: The Tuscan Healthcare System represents a virtuous example of Integrative Oncology (IO) practice both at the Italian and the international level.

Aims: To describe the integration process of Complementary Medicine (CM) including homeopathy in the Cancer Departments network within the Tuscan public health care system and the obtained results.

Methods: In 2010, the Tuscan Tumor Institute (ITT) and the Tuscan Network of Integrative Medicine (TNIM) established a working group consisting of CM experts and medical oncologists to review the literature on CM in cancer care. In 2013–2015, the TNIM participated in the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC) with the purpose of collecting evidence concerning the use of CM in cancer care and of mapping the European cancer centers offering IO services.

Results: In 2015, a Resolution of the Tuscan Regional Government established to provide evidence-based CM to reduce cancer-related symptoms and adverse effects of conventional anti-cancer therapies. A Tuscan CM expert was also included in the Quality Assurance Scheme Development Group (QASDG) promoted by the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer (ECIBC), to draft European breast cancer guidelines and to perform quality assurance, managed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) Ispra, Varese, Italy. In 2021, Tuscan Regional Guidelines (Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathway: DTCP) on breast cancer were approved, with a section on complementary and integrative medicine as supportive cancer care. In November 2021, the DTCP “Integrative Medicine for Cancer Patients” defined a proper reference for IO practice in Tuscany. To date, 20 clinics provide CM services to patients with cancer in the public Tuscan Regional Healthcare System.

Conclusions: The integration of evidence-based complementary treatments as a part of a Comprehensive Cancer Care Network contributes to respond safely and effectively to the demand from cancer patients combining safety and equity of access in public health care systems.

Keywords: Integrative oncology, healthcare, Tuscany region

Publication History

Article published online:
30 January 2024

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