Integrative Medicine for Breast Cancer — Combining the Best of East and West
For many international patients, the ideal cancer treatment is not a choice between Western oncology and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — it is both, working together. At Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, Prof. Zheng Lan leads one of China's most respected integrative oncology programs, offering breast cancer patients a comprehensive treatment plan that combines the precision of modern Western medicine with the holistic support of TCM.
Featured Specialist: Prof. Zheng Lan (郑岚)
Prof. Zheng Lan is the Director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — one of China's most prestigious academic medical centers. Her department is embedded within Ruijin's world-class oncology ecosystem, enabling seamless collaboration with breast surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists.
Prof. Zheng specializes in integrative TCM treatment for breast cancer and other solid tumors, developing individualized combined protocols that address both the cancer itself and the full spectrum of treatment-related side effects and quality-of-life concerns.
What Is Integrative Oncology?
Integrative oncology is the evidence-informed combination of conventional cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation) with complementary approaches — in this case, Traditional Chinese Medicine. The goal is not to replace Western treatment, but to:
- Reduce side effects of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation
- Strengthen immune function during and after treatment
- Improve treatment tolerance so patients can complete their full course of Western therapy
- Support recovery after surgery and systemic treatment
- Address symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, pain, insomnia, hot flashes, and anxiety
- Reduce recurrence risk through long-term constitutional support
TCM Approaches Used in Breast Cancer Care
Prof. Zheng's integrative protocols draw on the full range of TCM modalities, tailored to each patient's constitution, cancer subtype, and treatment phase:
Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Individualized herbal formulas prescribed based on TCM pattern differentiation
- Herbs selected to complement — not interfere with — concurrent Western treatments
- Evidence-based formulas with documented anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, and supportive effects
- Careful herb-drug interaction screening for patients on targeted therapies or chemotherapy
Acupuncture
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Neuropathy from taxane or platinum chemotherapy
- Hot flashes from endocrine therapy (tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors)
- Insomnia and anxiety
- Post-surgical pain and lymphedema management
Dietary and Lifestyle Guidance
- TCM-based nutritional recommendations adapted to treatment phase
- Foods that support Qi, Blood, and Yin during chemotherapy-induced depletion
- Guidance on foods to avoid that may interfere with treatment
Qi Gong and Mind-Body Practice
- Gentle movement practices to support energy, circulation, and emotional wellbeing
- Breathing and meditation techniques for anxiety and sleep
When to Integrate TCM into Breast Cancer Treatment
Prof. Zheng's integrative approach can be incorporated at any stage of breast cancer care:
- During chemotherapy: Reduce nausea, fatigue, and bone marrow suppression; support immune recovery between cycles
- During radiation: Reduce radiation dermatitis, fatigue, and local inflammation
- During endocrine therapy: Manage hot flashes, joint pain, and mood changes from tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors
- During targeted therapy: Support liver function and manage skin or GI side effects
- Post-treatment survivorship: Long-term constitutional support to reduce recurrence risk and restore vitality
- Palliative care: Symptom management and quality-of-life support for advanced disease
Why Ruijin Hospital for Integrative Oncology?
Ruijin Hospital's TCM department is uniquely positioned within one of Shanghai's top oncology centers. This means Prof. Zheng's team works in direct collaboration with:
- Prof. Shen Kunwei's breast surgery team (early TNBC / Ruijin Protocol)
- Prof. Chen Jiayi's radiation oncology team (proton therapy and IMRT)
- Medical oncology, pathology, and imaging departments
Patients receive a truly integrated plan — not parallel care from disconnected providers — with TCM and Western oncology teams communicating directly about each patient's treatment.
How CMCS Coordinates Your Integrative Care
China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) is a health management company — not a hospital. We connect international patients with Shanghai's leading integrative oncology specialists, including Prof. Zheng Lan at Ruijin Hospital, and manage every step of the process:
- Review of existing Western treatment records and current medications for herb-drug interaction screening
- Consultation scheduling with Prof. Zheng's TCM oncology team
- Coordination with Ruijin's breast surgery and medical oncology teams for integrated planning
- Medical interpretation during TCM consultations
- Guidance on herbal medicine preparation and administration for international patients
- Remote follow-up coordination for patients returning to their home countries
Get in Touch
If you are interested in integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine into your breast cancer treatment plan in Shanghai, contact our team for a confidential consultation.
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