Integrative Medicine Program

UPMC Cancer Centers Integrative Medicine Program is a focal point for research on complementary and alternative therapies and cancer and coordinates the clinical use of these therapies at UPMC Cancer Centers.

Through its developing information and consulting service, Integrative Medicine provides reliable information about various approaches to cancer prevention and treatment as well as symptom management. The Program offers information about herbal and dietary supplements, acupuncture, vitamins, mind-body medicine and other kinds of therapeutic approaches and conducts research in most of these areas.

Consultation with Integrative Medicine Information Service (IMIS) clinical specialists educates and directs health care providers and consumers to reliable sources of scientifically-based information about integrative medicine research and practices. IMIS specialists provide current comprehensive information on standards, regulation, legislation, interactions and contraindications to use and practitioner credentialing.

The IMIS facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration between conventional and integrative researchers and practitioners. Our program encourages the application of rigorous scientific approaches to evaluating integrative therapies.

UPMC Cancer Centers encourages all patients to consult with their primary health care providers and discuss advantages and disadvantages of complementary and integrative therapies. Indiscriminate use of some complementary therapies without medical supervision may be harmful.

Important links

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
• National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
• National Cancer Institute Complementary and Alternative Medicine Cancer Information
• American Cancer Society: Complementary and Alternative Methods
• National Library of Medicine PubMed
• Food and Drug Administration

Phone

412-624-4800

For more information about any of the services available at UPMC Cancer Centers, please call the UPMC Cancer Centers Information and Referral Service at 412-647-2811 or send us an e-mail via "Ask a Question Online."