Author: Peter Traversa

Compiled by the SIO Research Committee  ·  April 2026

Each month, the SIO Research Committee reviews recently published integrative oncology literature and shares highlights with the broader membership.

What About the Caregivers? Music Medicine as a Tool for Improving Psychological Wellbeing Among Caregivers During Cancer Chemotherapy Treatment

JCO Oncology Practice, 2026 March·  Reviewed by Ana Maria Lopez

Study type

Multi-site randomized controlled trial (227 participants, block randomization by day). Patient-caregiver dyads enrolled during outpatient chemotherapy infusions lasting ≥60 minutes. Single-center; 60-minute self-selected music medicine session via iPod vs. standard care control.

Background

Caregivers of cancer patients experience significant psychological burden, yet most integrative oncology interventions target patients. Music medicine — passive listening to self-selected music facilitated by a health professional — is distinct from music therapy (individualized sessions with a certified therapist) and has demonstrated mood and distress benefits in patients. This study is among the first to test it in caregivers.

Key results

• Caregivers: There were significant changes in caregiver self-reported positive mood and distress from pre-intervention to post-intervention between the music and control groups. Caregivers: no significant reduction in negative mood (unlike the patient arm, where negative mood also improved).
• Dyadic analysis: caregivers and patients who listened to self-selected music at the same time showed only actor effects of the intervention.
• Exploratory finding: differential effect on negative mood in African American participants and those with baseline anxiety/depression — numbers small, warrants follow-up.

Strengths & caveats

• Strength: Addresses a data-sparse population — caregiver-focused RCTs in integrative oncology are rare.
• Strength: Novel dyadic analysis design; builds on the same group’s prior patient-focused work.
• Strength: Low-cost, easily scalable, no clinician-administered component required.
• Caveat: Not blinded (inherent to music interventions); block randomization by day may introduce site-level confounds.
• Caveat: Single 60-minute session only — no longitudinal follow-up; optimal dose unknown.
• Caveat: Individual (not shared) music selection may explain the absence of dyadic mood transfer; a future trial pairing dyads on music choice could test this hypothesis.

Bottom line: Well-designed proof-of-concept supporting music medicine as a caregiver-targeted adjunct during infusion. Future work should examine shared dyadic listening, repeated sessions, and longer-term mood outcomes.

Preoperative Hypnosis versus Mindfulness for Reducing Postoperative Symptoms in Breast Surgery: A Randomized Trial

Anesthesiology, 2026 March ·  Reviewed by Dave James 

Study type

Two-arm RCT (203 participants). Women undergoing breast cancer surgery randomized to a single 15-minute live hypnosis session vs. a 15-minute pre-recorded mindfulness audio intervention, both administered 2 hours before surgery.

Background

Current ASCO/SIO guidelines support hypnosis for preoperative anxiety and pain, but evidence for surgical (intraoperative/postoperative) pain has been inconsistent. This trial tests a brief, pragmatic hypnosis protocol against an active comparator in a large surgical oncology sample.

Key results

• Hypnosis significantly reduced post-operative fatigue and emotional distress vs. mindfulness (moderate effect size).
• Hypnosis reduced intraoperative fentanyl use — a clinically meaningful opioid-sparing effect.
• No significant difference between arms for post-operative pain, nausea, or discomfort.

Strengths & caveats

• Strength: Large, well-powered RCT with active (not usual-care) comparator; published in a high-impact anesthesiology journal, signaling mainstream recognition.
• Strength: Pragmatic design — 15-minute intervention is feasible in standard preoperative workflows.
• Strength: Opioid-sparing finding has immediate clinical relevance in the context of perioperative opioid stewardship.
• Caveat: Delivery imbalance — hypnosis was live (therapist-administered) while mindfulness was pre-recorded audio. This may introduce expectancy bias favoring hypnosis.
• Caveat: Does not address whether repeated sessions or longer protocols would extend benefits to pain outcomes.

Clinical takeaways

• Target high-anxiety patients: brief, well-timed (2 hours pre-surgery) hypnosis sessions are feasible and effective.
• Frame hypnosis as adjunct for symptom burden and opioid reduction — not as a primary analgesic.
• Both in-person and digital delivery tools (including those developed by the International Oncology Working Group) exist to improve access.

Bottom line: Practice-informing evidence that strengthens the case for incorporating brief preoperative hypnosis into perioperative oncology care, particularly for fatigue, emotional distress, and opioid reduction. A standardized delivery protocol and a pain-powered trial are logical next steps.

A Note on Our Review Process

The SIO Research Committee identifies new RCTs and high-impact observational studies in integrative oncology each month via a systematic PubMed search. From the resulting digest (15 articles this month), members vote on articles to highlight. Two members volunteer as reviewers each month and prepare structured summaries covering study design, key results, strengths, and caveats. We aim to share work that is methodologically sound and clinically meaningful — and to provide honest context when promising findings require further validation. We welcome article nominations from members for future monthly reviews.

References

1. Harper FWK, Moore TF, Heath AS, Kim S, Heath EI.What about the caregivers? Music medicine as a tool for improving psychological wellbeing among caregivers during cancer chemotherapy treatment. JCO Oncology Practice. 2026 Mar;22(3):434-444. doi: 10.1200/OP-24-00818.
2. Reme SE, Munk A, Montgomery GH, Schnur JB, Falk R, Smits M, Jacobsen HB. Preoperative Hypnosis versus Mindfulness for Reducing Postoperative Symptoms in Breast Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Anesthesiology. 2026 Mar 1;144(3):559-569. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005821.

The IMAGINE Project is advancing integrative oncology care by implementing evidence-based acupuncture and massage therapy in cancer centers across the United States. The project, a partnership between SIO and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, facilitates implementation of evidence-based acupuncture and massage therapy for cancer-related pain across 35 cancer centers in the United States. 

• The project’s second SIO Research Blog, “IMAGINE & Implementation: Advancing Evidence-Based Integrative Oncology Care,” explores how implementation science can help move promising therapies from research into routine oncology practice. 
• The American Massage Therapy Association sits down with Dr. McConnell, PhD, and Rocco Caputo, LMT, the IMAGINE project’s lead massage therapist, to discuss the IMAGINE Project and what it might mean for the future of integrative oncology care. Read and listen to “Advancing Massage Therapy in Integrative Oncology Care: The IMAGINE Project” on the AMTA website. 

The IMAGINE Team is thrilled to announce that its pre-conference workshop exploring implementation science in the context of the IMAGINE Project will be held the morning of September 29, 2026, at the SIO 2026 International Conference in Detroit, Michigan. For more information go to: https://integrativeonc.org/sio-2026-conference/

Compiled by the SIO Research Committee  ·  March 12, 2026

Each month, the SIO Research Committee reviews recently published integrative oncology literature and shares highlights with the broader membership.

TCM Granules Added to Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer

Study type: Extended follow-up (116 months) of a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT in resected stage IB–IIIA NSCLC. Primary endpoint was QoL (reported 2017); survival was secondary¹

Key results

• A positive DFS trend favored TCM granules, reaching significance only in the stage IB subgroup (p = 0.02); results were non-significant across other stages.
• No harm signal: TCM did not reduce survival in any subgroup. Median OS was not reached in either arm.

Strengths & caveats

• Strength: Long observation window (~10 years) with balanced treatment arms.
• Caveat: Not powered for survival; the significant finding is a subgroup analysis only.
• Caveat: Standardized TCM preparation does not reflect individualized traditional practice.

Bottom line: Encouraging safety and trend signal; a survival-powered prospective trial is needed before clinical conclusions can be drawn.

Mandala Art Therapy for Symptom Management in Pediatric Oncology

Study type: Single-center RCT (Turkey, 2024). Children and youth aged 9–17 receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Intervention (n = 30) vs. standard care (n = 31)²

Key results

• Significant within-group reductions in nausea, vomiting, pain, and anxiety in the mandala art therapy arm (p < 0.01); no change in controls.
• Instruments: Nausea-Vomiting Thermometer, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale, STAIC.

Strengths & caveats

• Strength: Addresses a data-sparse population – pediatric RCT evidence for mind-body interventions is scarce.
• Caveat: Single-center; within-group analysis only – between-group comparisons were not reported, which is the expected analytic approach for an RCT.
• Caveat: Age range 9–17 spans divergent developmental stages; cultural context (Turkey) merits consideration for generalizability.

Bottom line: Promising proof-of-concept. Multi-center trials with proper between-group analyses are needed before clinical recommendations.

Music Therapy vs. CBT via Telehealth for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors

Study type: Two-arm, parallel-group non-inferiority RCT (MELODY trial). 300 adult cancer survivors with elevated anxiety randomized to 7 weekly telehealth sessions of music therapy or CBT. Published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2026.³

Key results

• Music therapy was noninferior to CBT for anxiety reduction at both week 8 and week 26 (HADS-A; non-inferiority margin 1.30; p < 0.001).
• Both arms exceeded the MCID of 1.7 points; improvements were durable at 6-month follow-up.
• Secondary gains (fatigue, depression, insomnia, pain, cognitive function, QoL) were similar across arms.

Strengths & caveats

• Strength: Rigorous head-to-head design; diverse sample (English- and Spanish-speaking); standardized telehealth delivery.
• Strength: JCO publication signals growing mainstream recognition of IO research.
• Caveat: No usual-care control group; no formal psychiatric diagnostic assessment at enrollment.

Bottom line: High-quality, practice-informing evidence. Music therapy should be considered alongside CBT to expand access to evidence-based anxiety treatment in survivorship.

In Focus: JAMA Network Open CAM & Breast Cancer Survival – A Critical Appraisal

Study type: Retrospective cohort study. National Cancer Database; 2,157,219 women with breast cancer (2011–2021). Published JAMA Network Open, March 2, 2026.⁴

Key results

• Four groups: traditional therapy only, traditional + CAM, CAM alone, no treatment. CAM-alone survival closely mirrored the no-treatment curve (aHR 3.67 vs. traditional therapy).
• Media widely misrepresented findings – headline: “CAM increases risk of dying by 400%.”

Strengths & caveats

• Strength: Large, population-level dataset spanning all breast cancer stages.
• Caveat: The “CAM alone” group represents patients who forewent conventional treatment – not integrative oncology. The study does not evaluate IO.
• Caveat: CAM-alone and CAM + traditional groups each comprised <0.1% of the cohort – far below documented real-world prevalence of >50%. This reflects data capture failure, not true utilization.
• Caveat: CAM is undefined and undifferentiated; acupuncture and harmful supplements are conflated. The survival signal reflects the danger of forgoing conventional care.

Bottom line: This study does not show that integrative oncology harms patients. The committee is submitting a formal comment to JAMA Network Open. Members are encouraged to use this summary when addressing patient or media inquiries.

A Note on Our Review Process

The SIO Research Committee reviews articles collectively before amplifying them to the membership and public. We aim to share work that is methodologically sound and clinically meaningful – and to provide honest context when promising findings require further validation. We welcome article nominations from members for future monthly reviews.

References

1. Wang Y, Jiao L, Chen Z, et al. Adjuvant chemotherapy with traditional Chinese herbal granules vs. placebo in resected NSCLC: updated survival analysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2026;25:15347354251409081. doi:10.1177/15347354251409081

2. Yürük E, Todil T, Aşkan F, et al. Effects of mandala art therapy (coloring) on nausea, vomiting, pain and anxiety in children and youth receiving outpatient chemotherapy. J Pediatr Nurs. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2025.11.006

3. Liou KT, Bradt J, Currier MB, et al. Music therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy via telehealth for anxiety in survivors of cancer: a randomized clinical trial. J Clin Oncol. 2026. doi:10.1200/JCO-25-00726

4. Ayoade OF, Caturegli G, Canavan ME, Resio BJ, Berger ER, Boffa DJ. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in the management of breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(3):e260337. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0337

The WPHI (9-question tool) was developed through NIH and CDC collaboration and is now implemented in All of Us, National Health Interview Survey, and cancer centers. It engages patients in whole-person care, supports holistic documentation, and enables systematic evaluation with longitudinal research potential. The WPHI questions are free to use and can be administered in person or online. University of Vermont is developing an implementation process, and more information will be available soon.

Implementation and Value of WPHI in Integrative Oncology

“We have implemented WPHI in all patients seen at UCI integrative oncology for a few months. I find it valuable in that it 1) gives us a snapshot of a patient’s life and put their cancer in the context of their life, 2) serves as a conversation starter for discussing holistic whole person health, 3) helps us identify the shortest plank in their health and prioritize it so that we can make the most impact, 4) helps the patient focus on positive changes they can make rather than mere reducing the negatives (symptoms), 5) demonstrates with actions that at UCI we are caring for you as a whole person, and 6) lays the foundation for integrative whole person cancer care outcome research.”

– Gary Deng, MD, PhD; Professor of Medicine, University of California Irvine; Associate Director, UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Director of Integrative Oncology, UCI Health.

Whole Person Health Index Nine Questions  

All items use the same response scale:

1 = Poor     2 = Fair     3 = Good     4 = Very Good     5 = Excellent  

The nine questions are currently posted on the UVM Osher Center website at: https://www.uvm.edu/osher/osher/research/whole-person-health-index

For information: Contact UVM Osher Center Team: oshercenter@uvm.edu

The IMAGINE Project is advancing integrative oncology care by implementing evidence-based acupuncture and massage therapy in cancer centers across the United States. The project, a partnership between SIO and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, facilitates implementation of evidence-based acupuncture and massage therapy for cancer-related pain across 35 cancer centers in the United States. 

• The project’s first SIO Research Blog post has already generated strong social media engagement, reflecting growing interest in bringing integrative therapies into mainstream cancer care. IMAGINE represents a broader shift in oncology toward evidence-based, whole-person care that will reach over 10,000 patients. 
• In February 2026, the second of four cohorts (small groups of participating cancer centers) began the active implementation phase, with site team members highly engaged in monthly external facilitation meetings. 

The IMAGINE Team is thrilled to announce that its pre-conference workshop exploring implementation science in the context of the IMAGINE Project will be held the morning of September 29, 2026, at the SIO 2026 International Conference in Detroit, Michigan. Registration information coming soon. 

The 2nd SIO Europe Congress and the 12th ARTOI International Congress constitute an important international forum for scientific and clinical exchange in the field of integrative oncology, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients to promote a shared, evidence-based approach to cancer care.

The Congress is grounded in Evidence-Based Medicine and a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates oncology, medicine, nursing, and integrative care. Within this framework, personalized and precision medicine emerge as central elements, supporting a model of care that combines scientific rigor with ethical responsibility and attention to the individual.

Learn more here

Call for abstracts

Register for the Congress

SIO and SIO Europe members can register at the reduced rate.

Update on the Pre-conference Workshop from Ayurveda SIG at SIO 2025

• A pre-conference workshop, titled “Integrative oncology with Ayurveda and culinary medicine” was held at SIO 2025 conference on Oct 27, 2025.
• The workshop explored the integration of Ayurvedic principles into oncology care, focusing on the culinary applications of Ayurvedic herbs and spices. With a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the role of diet and gut microbiome in cancer symptom management, the session provided both theoretical insights and practical applications of Ayurvedic principles. Participants engaged in hands-on learning and discussions on how Ayurvedic dietary principles, including the pharmacological properties of herbs and spices, can support personalized symptom management, improve nutritional intake, and enhance quality of life (QoL) for patients undergoing and recovering from cancer treatment.

Ayurveda SIG Pre-conference workshop facilitators: from right – Shraddha Ravani, Julia Arnold, Krupali Desai, Santhosshi Narayanan, Eran Ben-Arye, and Herbert Newton

Ayurveda SIG Accomplishments 2024-2025:

A manuscript titled, “The Role of Ayurvedic Medicine in Integrative Oncology: A Comprehensive Exploration of Traditional and Modern Approaches for Patients with Cancer” has been submitted to the Journal of Integrative Cancer Therapies. Awaiting response.

A book chapter has been written on Ayurveda in Integrative Oncology in Comprehensive Integrative Oncology Textbook.

On October 1, 2025, the first subgroup of US cancer centers began the 1-year External Facilitation phase. A total of 35 participating sites will receive online training in oncology acupuncture and massage therapy protocols, meet monthly with implementation experts, disseminate educational materials, and build community. SIO is proud to partner with Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) in this PCORI-funded project, which brings previous research (IMPACT Trial) into real world settings. Over the next four years, this project will help standardize high-quality, evidence-based integrative care for thousands of people with cancer in the US. Visit the SIO IMAGINE Project webpage under “Knowledge Center” and look for upcoming webinars, podcasts, and updates.

Tuesday, September 16, 9 a.m. PT | 12 p.m. ET

Zoom

Presenters:

• Terri Crudup, MBA
• Krisstina Gowin, DO
• Burt Rosen

The Society for Integrative Oncology is excited to introduce the cancer care community to a new empowerment tool-our new eBook! Many patients and caregivers ask “What else can I do?” and “How else can I help myself get through this?” Join our webinar to learn more about this newly-released free book that is written specifically for patients and caregivers. The guide helps to explain and provide resources for evidenced-based integrative therapies that can help patients have the best quality of life.

We will introduce the book, discuss why and how it was written, talk about integrative therapies, hear from patients who have used integrative therapies themselves, and have plenty of time for Q&A.

You will learn what integrative oncology is (and the difference between integrative and alternative), what integrative therapies are, how the therapies map to symptoms, how to get started without spending a lot of money, and more! Healthcare professionals and advanced practice providers, this webinar is for you also!

The ebook can be a valuable tool for those looking to bolster their practices’ integrative oncology patient resources. For anyone dealing with cancer (whether it’s you or someone you care about) or treating cancer, this will be an invaluable session with a great eBook to download and use!

Free to all

REGISTER HERE

In appreciation and gratitude for the major contributions they have each made to the Society for Integrative Oncology^® since its inception in 2003 and to the field of evidence-informed integrative oncology, we honor these fellows.

This award, which will be presented in person at the 22nd International SIO Conference in Boston, MA, October 27 to 29, 2025, also includes a lifetime SIO membership.

Linda E. Carlson, Ph.D., R.Psych, FABMR, FSBM, FMLI   
14th SIO President
Enbridge Research Chair in Psychosocial Oncology
Professor, Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine
University of Calgary
Director, Alberta Complementary Therapy and Integrative Oncology (ACTION) Centre
Calgary, Alberta

Gary Deng, MD, PhD
8th SIO President
Associate Director for Integrative Oncology
Chao Family Comprehensive Care Center
University of California Irvine (UCI)
Orange, CA

Judith Lacey, MBBS, FRACGP, FAChPM(RACP)
SIO Ambassador to Australia, Board Member
Co-chair, Clinical Practice Committee
Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
Adjunct Associate Professor, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
Adjunct, Clinical School of Medicine, University of Sydney
Immediate past Chair, Integrative Oncology Group and Council member, Clinical Oncology Society of Australia

Eran Ben-Arye, MD
SIO Regional Ambassador to Europe & the Middle East, Board Member
Professor, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Chairman, Department of Family Medicine, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Director of Integrative Oncology Program
Haifa and Western Galilee Oncology Service
Lin and Carmel Medical Centers of Clalit Health Services
Haifa, Israel
Primary Researcher, Middle East Research Group in Integrative Oncology (MERGIO), Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC)

MHP SIG was created in December 2023.

Goals in Progress:

1. Continue to identify MHPs in SIO and outside SIO who may be interested in joining SIO and the SIG. Consider professional relationships as well as networking during annual conferences.
2. Continue to build presence and community for MHPs.
3. Continue collaborations within the SIG to highlight areas of expertise and ways to provide education to SIO membership.
4. Submit commentary for JICM on the role of mental health professionals in integrative oncology. Tentative due date is August 2016. Michelle Ferretti is lead.
5. Potentially change meeting time to increase attendance.
6. Potential for collaboration with other SIGs and Committees.
   • Communications Committee needs social media content. SIG members can share their publications with 1-2 sentences
7. Create webinar and role of MHPs in Integrative Oncology.

Activities to Date:

1. Increase presence of MHPs within SIO during annual conferences. For 2025 conference in Boston we have several members presenting their work via invited plenary, workshops, and posters/talks.
2. Worked with Communications Committee to create two Instagram posts:
   • Benefits of Addressing Emotional Well-Being While Managing Cancer
   • Benefits of Incorporating a Licensed Mental Health Provider While Managing Cancer
3. Worked with Communications Committee to create an Educational Video. Addressed the following questions:
   • Who are we talking about when we talk about mental health professionals?
   • Why should you have a mental health professional on your care team?
   • How can a mental health professional help with making healthy lifestyle changes?
   • How can a mental health professional be helpful on an interdisciplinary team?
   • What physical side effects can be affected by emotional concerns? AND
   • What interventions can be helpful can be helpful for both emotional and physical concerns?
   • What does being an SIO member mean to you?

4. Added MHP SIG to the website with correct co-chair information.
5. Updated membership registration to include Psychologist as a role option and MSW as a degree option.
6. Created a succession plan. Terms are 2 years with one chair (chair-elect) opening in December 2025. Other chair with continue for one more year and then transition. Rotation of one new chair-elect will happen annually. Looking to maintain professional diversity (psychologist (clinical, research), LCSW, LPC, MD) in co-chairs.
7. Created a folder system for all SIG members for conference submissions, publications, agendas and minutes to help facilitate collaborations.
8. Collaborated with Health Coaching SIG to create a survey assessing how providers work to address several important themes. Approximately 31 people participated. Learned that membership wide surveys were not effective at gathering data of interest. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SIOSIG
   • Examined following themes: Emotional concerns, Developing a healthy lifestyle, Relationships to self and others, Managing symptoms, Reset/Recovery-integrating cancer into my life
   • In each theme, asked the frequency of discussion during patient consultations, the level of importance patients place on the theme, how well your practice is doing to support patients in each theme, what are the top two professionals you refer to for that theme, top two barriers to support patients in that theme
9. SIG members (Kim Lowery Walker and Lindsey Wamsley) completed chapters for the SIO textbook on Stress. Linda Carlson completed chapter on Mindfulness.
10. SIG Members continue to contribute to the psychosocial literature in integrative oncology.

Current Members = 12

Meetings are bimonthly.

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU’RE INTERESTED!

Co-Chairs:

Michelle Ferretti, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Inova Peterson Life with Cancer and Providence Cancer Institute
Michelle.Ferretti@providence.org

Aimee J. Christie, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center
ajchristie@mdanderson.org

Liaison to the Executive Committee / Advisor: 

Linda Carlson, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
University of Calgary

Are you a Trainee or Patient Advocate in Integrative Oncology?

The Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to support in-person travel and virtual attendance at the 2025 SIO Conference.

These scholarships are intended to improve accessibility and encourage participation from emerging professionals and advocates in the field of integrative oncology.

Who Can Apply?

Scholarships are available to individuals who demonstrate a strong interest or active involvement in integrative oncology and identify as either:

• Trainees – including medical or graduate students enrolled in programs relevant to integrative oncology
• Patient Advocates – individuals with lived cancer experience (patients, survivors, orcare partners) who are actively engaged in advocacy or related efforts

How to Apply

You do not need to be an SIO member to apply, though membership is encouraged. To be considered, applicants must complete the online application form and upload a current resume or CV (required for trainee applicants).

Application Requirements:

• Interest in Integrative Oncology (maximum 1000 characters)
  Briefly describe your current work, studies, or involvement in integrative oncology.
  Patient advocates should clearly outline their lived experience and involvement in advocacy.
• Statement of Financial Need (maximum 1000 characters)
  Explain how this scholarship would support your ability to attend the SIO 2025 conference.

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting.

Note: Scholarship recipients will be asked to submit a brief post-conference reflection summarizing their experience at SIO 2025.

Apply here

This April, we recognize several often-overlooked cancers: oral, head and neck, esophageal,and testicular. Each of these cancers carries unique challenges,yet all benefit from greater awareness, early detection, and equitable access to care. This month also overlaps with Alcohol Awareness Month, an important reminder of the link between alcohol use and increased cancer risk.In fact, alcohol has been associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus, as well as the liver, breast, stomach, and colon.

For more information, see:

• American Association of Cancer Research (AACR)
• American Cancer Society