Survey of United States Ayurvedic Medicine Professionals Regarding Their Work With People With Cancer

PurposeAyurveda, a Traditional Indian Medicine practice, supports health and is used by trained professionals in the United States (US). However, little is known about their opinions and practices. This study explored the use of Ayurveda in managing individuals with cancer in the US.MethodsA questionnaire was developed to assess experiences and opinions of Ayurvedic medicine professionals caring for individuals with cancer in the US and was administered online using Microsoft Forms. The survey utilized a convenience sample of Ayurvedic medicine professionals.ResultsOf 321 participants, 199 had treated US individuals with cancer and continued the survey. Most (94%) held an Ayurvedic certification, 12% had an additional non-Ayurvedic medical degree, and 55% had a healthcare-related license. Over half (55%) managed/counseled individuals with cancer. Respondents indicated that individuals with cancer sought Ayurveda primarily to reduce allopathic treatment-related side effects (87%). Eighty-five percent of respondents recommended herbs for individuals with cancer in the US, though some herbs were also considered contraindicated. Most (65%) "never/rarely" or "occasionally" communicated with patients' allopathic doctors.ConclusionThis report is the first to document the opinions and practices of Ayurvedic professionals managing people with cancer in the US. Respondents noted limited communication and research collaboration with biomedical communities, despite interest in doing so. More research on Ayurveda's adjunctive role in cancer care is needed to define its place in Integrative Oncology. Improved education and communication between Ayurvedic and biomedical communities are essential for individuals with cancer safety and outcomes.