Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Lung Cancer: Questions and Challenges

Lung cancer represents 13% of all cancers, making it the second most common type of malignancy in the United States. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States and accounts for nearly 18% of all deaths from cancer. Because of its high mortality rate, lung cancer is associated with an increased rate of distress. Patients use various strategies to cope with this distress during and after cancer treatments, and complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) has become a common coping strategy. This review covers major questions and challenges of incorporating CIM during and beyond treatment for lung cancer. The questions revolve around determining the value of nutrition and nutritional supplements, assessing the role of exercise, addressing the mind-body connection, enhancing the benefit of immunotherapy, and determining the benefit of incorporating complementary therapies such as acupuncture and homeopathy. This review may provide a basis for discussion that can enhance patient-doctor dialogue regarding the use of CIM during and after treatment for lung cancer.