SPECIAL ISSUE : "Integrative medicine in oncology: another step forward" - EDITORIAL - Setting an Integrative Medicine Oncology Network in Italy: a holistic approach to people with cancer

Health professionals involved in oncology care should make more efforts in developing a holistic attitude by placing the person and their needs at the center of their attention. Such an integrative approach has been the subject of in-depth studies and is currently active in Italy in a very limited number of oncology centers. On the other hand in the USA, the Society for Integrative Oncology actively collaborates with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and has developed Integrative Medicine guidelines of great scienti c strength. The program of the “Setting an Integrative Medicine Oncology Network” project aims to implement the use of integrative medicine at oncology centers in assisting people with cancer at all stages of their path in our territory. The most salient aspects of this holistic integrative medicine project in oncology are represented by nutrition, the psychological aspect, mindfulness, phytotherapy, the use of natural substances, Qi-gong, acupuncture, music therapy, physiotherapy methods (kinesis, lymphatic drainage, respiratory gymnastics, etc.), motor activity and adapted physical activity and other methods, but also by the promotion of clinical research.