The Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology at City of Hope® is a unique national program that brings together conventional Western cancer treatments and integrative therapies, many of which come from traditional Chinese medicine and other Eastern approaches to health and wellness.
As well as offering a whole-person approach to cancer care, the Cherng Family Center leads research into how integrative therapies may benefit patients, offers access to these therapies for our patients and educates medical providers on the value this integrative approach has. Our goal is to create a more holistic standard of care that will be adopted by cancer experts nationwide.
What is Integrative Oncology?
Integrative oncology is an evidence-based, patient-centered type of cancer care that combines conventional cancer treatments with therapies, products and lifestyle practices that come from other cultures, in particular, Eastern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. In the United States, between 60% and 80% of cancer patients already use some form of integrative therapy to support their physical or emotional health during cancer treatment, from meditation and yoga to acupuncture and herbal supplements. At the Cherng Family Center, we research the benefits of integrative therapies to determine how they can best be included in our patients’ care plans in a safe and science-based way.
Our Mission and Impact
Founded in 2023, the Cherng Family Center’s mission is to bridge the gap between conventional Western cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy and traditional Eastern medicine approaches to health and well-being. This work is driven by our commitment to conducting scientifically rigorous research in the field of integrative oncology.
Highlights of the Cherng Family Center’s impact over the past year include:
- Offering integrative therapies through more than 6,500 visits at City of Hope
- Supporting more than 27 research projects and studies into integrative oncology
- Securing more than $5 million in additional funding for the center’s work
- Reaching more than 3,000 participants through our education program
Shaping the Future of Cancer Care
The Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology is shaping the future of cancer care by advancing research, improving access to whole-person therapies, and training the next generation of integrative oncology leaders.
We aim to conduct and support over 100 research studies and clinical trials, including multi-center trials, to build evidence-based integrative therapies in cancer care.
We aim to deliver more than 60,000 integrative oncology visits to improve quality of life for patients, reduce healthcare costs, and increase access for integrative therapies.
We aim to drive change by equipping over 10,000 clinicians, patients, and community members with the knowledge and tools to transform cancer care through integrative approaches.
Bringing Scientific Vision for Integrative Cancer Care to Life
The Cherng Family Center was made possible thanks to a transformative $100 million gift from philanthropists Peggy and Andrew Cherng, founders of the Panda Charitable Family Foundation. Their generous gift enables City of Hope to continue to pursue its mission of providing holistic, whole-person cancer care for patients in Southern California and beyond.
Cherng Family Center Integrative Care Leadership Team
Led by world-renowned cancer expert Richard T. Lee, M.D., the Cherng Family Center team includes doctors, researchers and integrative oncology experts who work together to make integrative therapies an essential part of optimal cancer care and survivorship at City of Hope.
