Onc Nurse On Call is the new podcast from Oncology Nursing News, hosted by editors-in-chief Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, and Stephanie Desrosiers, DNP, MSN, RN, AOCNS, BMTCN, delivering maximum impact in minimum time.
This week the hosts interviewed Lillian Rodich, PA-C, MPH, an integrative oncology specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center in New York, one of the early and more comprehensive integrative cancer programs.
Rodich described a broad range of services available to patients, from acupuncture and music therapy to virtual sessions. Virtual services have kept the same price over the years, she said, making them a cost-effective option for patients who cannot access more involved interventions.
She emphasized the importance of discussing herbs and supplements openly with patients rather than dismissing them, noting that a nonjudgmental approach helps build trust and encourages transparency about what patients are taking. Memorial Sloan Kettering’s About Herbs website and mobile app provide a database for checking potential interactions between herbs or supplements and medications.
For patients on active treatment, Rodich highlighted the often-overlooked step of confirming use of prescribed antiemetics as a starting point for symptom control and trust-building. After addressing basic supportive care, providers can consider additional integrative options such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, teas, and dietary adjustments.
Rodich advised giving patients specific, practical nutrition strategies rather than general advice. Treatment can alter taste and appetite, so recommending small, actionable ideas to boost calorie and nutrient intake—tailored to what a patient still enjoys—can be more effective than vague guidance.
To counteract treatment-related fatigue, Rodich recommended maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity rather than resting exclusively. Lower-impact options such as walking, tai chi, qigong, or yoga can be incorporated into a patient’s routine and adjusted to individual ability.
Access remains a barrier: insurance coverage for integrative services is inconsistent, and many plans do not cover treatments such as acupuncture. Rodich noted that Medicare now covers up to 12 acupuncture treatments within 90 days for chronic low back pain, which may increase affordability for some oncology patients. She also encouraged use of free resources, including online exercise videos, and prioritizing connections to food assistance programs when financial constraints limit nutrition options.
For advanced practice providers interested in integrative oncology, Rodich said there is no single formal pathway. She recommends pursuing training, certification, conferences, and membership in organizations such as the Society for Integrative Oncology to build expertise and be prepared when opportunities arise. Demand is high: long wait lists for integrative services at her institution underscore the need for more trained providers.
Onc Nurse On Call releases episodes every other week with insights on oncology nursing practice.
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