Understanding Patient Perspectives and Acceptability of Integrative Naturopathic Oncology in Metastatic Cancer.
- 1The Parmar Foundation, Surrey, BC V4A 1P6, Canada.
- 2Integrated Health Clinic, Surrey, BC V4A 1P6, Canada.
Abstract
Individuals living with metastatic cancer frequently experience high symptom burden and reduced quality of life, leading many to seek integrative therapies alongside standard care. This study utilized the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability to systematically examine patient perspectives and the acceptability of integrative naturopathic oncology. Qualitative, semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with 12 adult metastatic cancer patients who had received at least three months of care at a specialized Canadian clinic. The hybrid inductive-deductive analysis revealed high overall intervention acceptability. Patients reported positive emotional attitudes, strong alignment with personal values, improved treatment understanding, and increased confidence in managing their care. They particularly valued relational support, whole-person care, and an enhanced sense of agency. However, key implementation barriers included significant out-of-pocket expenses, social and family trade-offs, and navigating disconnected, uncoordinated healthcare systems. Integrative naturopathic oncology is highly acceptable to metastatic cancer patients as a valued complement to conventional regimens. To optimize equitable and safe care delivery, future health systems must reduce financial barriers and introduce structured communication channels between conventional and integrative health providers.
Related
- Lifestyle medicine for optimising brain health: perspectives and acceptability across the lifespan
- Ensuring quality in research, 'Authorship Effect' & Conflict of Interest. Response submitted to BMJ Mental Health in response to 'Clinician perspectives on the utility and acceptability of OxSATS: a qualitative study of a novel structured suicide risk assessment tool
- Understanding the influence and acceptability of health and wellbeing coaching in underserved populations: a qualitative systematic review.
- Acceptability of AI-applications in routine clinical care for children and adolescents: perspectives of parents and healthcare professionals
- Understanding the acceptability of digital diabetes self-management tools among non-users: A qualitative study of personal, social and healthcare contexts
BibTeX
@article{izadinajafabadi2026understanding,
title = {{Understanding Patient Perspectives and Acceptability of Integrative Naturopathic Oncology in Metastatic Cancer.}},
author = {Sara Izadi-Najafabadi and Adeleke Fowokan and Gurdev Parmar},
journal = {Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/curroncol33100609},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930176},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Understanding Patient Perspectives and Acceptability of Integrative Naturopathic Oncology in Metastatic Cancer.
AU - Sara Izadi-Najafabadi
AU - Adeleke Fowokan
AU - Gurdev Parmar
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/10
JO - Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.)
DO - 10.3390/curroncol33100609
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42930176
AB - Individuals living with metastatic cancer frequently experience high symptom burden and reduced quality of life, leading many to seek integrative therapies alongside standard care. This study utilized the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability to systematically examine patient perspectives and the acceptability of integrative naturopathic oncology. Qualitative, semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with 12 adult metastatic cancer patients who had received at least three months of care at a specialized Canadian clinic. The hybrid inductive-deductive analysis revealed high overall intervention acceptability. Patients reported positive emotional attitudes, strong alignment with personal values, improved treatment understanding, and increased confidence in managing their care. They particularly valued relational support, whole-person care, and an enhanced sense of agency. However, key implementation barriers included significant out-of-pocket expenses, social and family trade-offs, and navigating disconnected, uncoordinated healthcare systems. Integrative naturopathic oncology is highly acceptable to metastatic cancer patients as a valued complement to conventional regimens. To optimize equitable and safe care delivery, future health systems must reduce financial barriers and introduce structured communication channels between conventional and integrative health providers.
SN - 1198-0052
SN - 1718-7729
ER -