International Debate Webinar: Eastern and Western Medicine Can Co-exist – part of London Global Cancer Week 2026
Monday 2 November 2026 | 21:00 GMT (check your local time)
Part of London Global Cancer Week 2026
Can Eastern and Western medicine co-exist in modern cancer care? Or do complementary and herbal medicines pose risks that are too significant to ignore during cancer treatment?
As part of London Global Cancer Week 2026, the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia – Clinical Pharmacists Group (COSA CPG), Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology (CAPhO), International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP) and British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) are joining forces for the second Global Debate, bringing together international perspectives on one of the most complex and important questions in contemporary oncology practice.
Many people affected by cancer use complementary therapies or herbal medicines alongside conventional treatment, influenced by cultural traditions, personal beliefs and a desire to improve their wellbeing. However, potential interactions with chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies raise important questions about safety, treatment efficacy and the quality of available evidence.
The affirmative team will argue that complementary and herbal medicines can coexist with conventional cancer treatment, exploring patient autonomy, cultural sensitivity and the potential role of integrative medicine in holistic cancer care. The negative team will challenge this position, examining the risks of drug interactions, treatment-related toxicity and the limitations of the available evidence.
Expect a lively, structured debate in which both teams present their cases, challenge opposing arguments and defend their positions on the central issues. With scientific evidence, cultural perspectives and patient preferences all in the balance, the discussion promises to challenge assumptions about the role of complementary medicine in modern oncology.
Can patient choice and cultural traditions be reconciled with the demands of evidence-based, safe and effective cancer treatment?
Meet the debaters
Affirmative Team
- Sandy Chew — Princess Alexandra Hospital, Australia
- Janvika Shah — Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, UK
- One further speaker to be announced
Negative Team
- Iram Husain — NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service, UK
- Trang Nguyen — Vietnam
- Leela John — Cancer Care Alberta, Canada
Join oncology pharmacy professionals and the wider cancer care community for this international debate as part of London Global Cancer Week 2026.
Hear both sides. Challenge your assumptions. Join the conversation. Register now.