Abstract 4992: Results of a survey of US Ayurvedic medicine professionals regarding their work with people with cancer
Authors: Julia T. Arnold, Oluwadamilola Olaku, Anand Dhruva, Gabriel Lopez, Bhaswati Bhattacharya, Manohar Gundeti, Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, Benmei Liu, Frank Ninivaggi, Sophie King, Jeffrey D. White
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to understand how Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, can be incorporated into the management of patients with cancer in the United States (US). Patients with cancer often seek Ayurvedic treatments to complement conventional care for prevention, to reduce symptoms/ toxicity, support recovery, improve quality of life, or palliative care. Ayurveda is a whole system personalized approach to health incorporating multiple modalities including herbal-natural products, diet, routines, behavior, detoxification, and mind/body techniques for restoring health and preventing disease. The authors surveyed the opinions of Ayurvedic professionals on the management of cancer patients using Ayurveda including its benefits for the treatment of cancer side-effects and symptoms and communications and collaborative research with allopathic practitioners. METHODS: This Survey was a collaboration of the co-authors led by the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM), National Cancer Institute (NCI). Authors contacted key leaders of the US Ayurvedic professional community including directors of Ayurvedic colleges/academies, and leaders of state, regional and national Ayurvedic associations. An invitation letter with a web-link and QR code for the survey website was distributed by the US Ayurveda Professionals leadership (on behalf of OCCAM) to the alumni and association members of these groups. The survey had 321 respondents, of which 199 (62%) have practiced Ayurveda on patients/clients in the US. (Demographics and educational background of this population will be included in the presentation). RESULTS: Brief highlights of the Ayurvedic professionals’ responses to the 110 questions are:1- Reasons why patients sought Ayurveda care, [improve their quality of life (QoL) (94%), reduce allopathic treatment-related side effects (87%), prevent recurrence of their cancer (77%)], 2--Recommended targets of Ayurvedic consultations, [daily routine/lifestyle (97%), specific food counseling (94%), pranayama (breathing exercises; 88%), yoga and meditation (86%)], 3- The most common goals of practitioners for clients with cancer, [to improve diet and digestion (94%), increase QoL (90%), and stress reduction (90%)], 4- Practitioners agreed that combined Ayurveda and allopathic medicine is the best approach for cancer symptom and side effect management (87%), support during cancer treatment (84%), QoL (80%) cancer prevention (75%), and cancer detection (65%). CONCLUSION: This Survey aims to increase awareness among oncologists and researchers regarding the integration of Ayurveda with conventional cancer care to enhance patient QoL and treatment outcomes. Research collaborations between oncologists and Ayurvedic professionals could support efficacy and mechanistic research on the use of Ayurveda or its components in cancer care. Citation Format: Julia T. Arnold, Oluwadamilola Olaku, Anand Dhruva, Gabriel Lopez, Bhaswati Bhattacharya, Manohar Gundeti, Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, Benmei Liu, Frank Ninivaggi, Sophie King, Jeffrey D. White. Results of a survey of US Ayurvedic medicine professionals regarding their work with people with cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4992.