Integrative Oncology Division

About the Integrative Oncology Division

The AHN Cancer Institute is dedicated to treating the whole person, inside and out. Our Integrative Oncology Program provides services and programs to help educate, empower and support you throughout your cancer treatment and beyond.

What is integrative oncology?

The practice of integrative medicine cares for your health at all levels: mental, physical, social and spiritual. Our program goes a step further to complement conventional cancer care. You may consider registering for one, or all, of our complimentary programs. We offer oncology massage or acupuncture session to help manage and reduce cancer treatment side effects. Our small group classes provide tips on cosmetics and managing hair loss, and caring for changes that may occur to your skin and nails. Private wig salon appointments are available to help boost your confidence if you anticipate hair loss. Additionally, educational cooking classes provide recipes for nutrient-dense meals and are designed to bring you closer together family members, children, and your caregivers. If you are receiving treatment at an AHN location, you have access to art therapy kits, a comfortable chemotherapy port shirt, and pet therapy visits to help ease your time with us. All these are available at no cost to you, thanks to the generosity of our patrons.

We also host an integrative oncology clinic where appointments are billed to your insurance similar to a medical oncology visit. These appointments allow you to have a one-on-one session with our integrative oncologist, Dr. Sarah Miller. During this time, you will discuss ways to better manage symptoms and side effects, reduce stress, review herbs and dietary supplements, discuss benefits of therapies such as oncology massage and acupuncture to make sure they are right for you.

Appointments

Integrative Oncology Program

412-330-4045

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What is conventional cancer care?

Conventional cancer care includes specialized areas like Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology and Radiation Oncology. These disciplines focus on delivering medical treatments designed to target and reduce cancer. Integrative Oncology is different because we do not use medicine, but rather lifestyle changes in health, fitness, diet and nutrition, mental and physical well-being, and image.

Donate to help cancer patients

To do this work, the AHN Integrative Oncology Department relies on donations . Our volunteers, vendors, and supporters are critical to doing this work and creating opportunities for cancer patients to have more options in their cancer treatment. Without the time, talents, and contributions, our patients wouldn’t have free access to life-changing classes, support, and opportunities to find new ways to heal.

Upcoming events

We offer complimentary programs for cancer patients that can help support their cancer treatment. All our programs require appointments, and the program calendar [PDF] can be used to review the options and sign up for the programs that work for you.

Comprehensive cancer care

The integrative oncology division is dedicated to treating and supporting each patient’s whole health during their cancer care with a comprehensive approach designed to meet unique needs.

Cancer care that goes beyond

AHN is proud to offer our integrative oncology to help you access exceptional and novel cancer care before during and after your treatment. We have six complimentary services for both AHN and non-AHN cancer patients.

Wig Program

Even though hair loss during cancer treatment is completely normal, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a hard and, often, emotionally challenging side effect to navigate. AHN is here to help. Each week, our volunteers conduct private appointments and help patients select a wig and head covering.

If you are a cancer patient who is actively in treatment, anticipating, or expecting hair loss and who does not currently have a wig, register in advance to select one complimentary wig. We offer help to all genders, ethnicities, colors, styles, and lengths. We also partner with local salons that will help you navigate hair loss or trim your wig at no cost.

Call 412-330-4045 to register for a private appointment at one of our eight locations, or choose a wig from the comfort of your home by choosing a virtual appointment.

Learn more about what is coming up next on our program calendar [PDF].

Care and Cosmetics Program

There are many ways that cancer can change your appearance — whether that is hair loss, eyebrow loss, swelling, skin changes — and finding ways to feel and look more like yourself can help. We offer a Care and Cosmetics program to help you feel your best throughout treatment and beyond. Professionals who are sensitive and understanding of what cancer treatment can do, are available to guide you through caring for yourself.

AHN and non-AHN cancer patients who are in active treatment or up to six months post-treatment or survivors who are register for an in-person or virtual class. We give you tips and techniques on how to apply makeup to enhance your look. You will also learn about wigs and styling techniques that will give you a more natural look.

Each participant also receives a cosmetics bag with complimentary products that are paraben free, cruelty free, vegan friendly, and hypoallergenic customized for you by a cosmetologist.

Caring for your skin and nails

Cancer, both directly and as a result of its treatments, can significantly affect the skin and nails. These changes can range from mild discomfort to more severe conditions that impact a patient's quality of life. Between brittle nails and sensitive skin, there are a lot of side effects to manage. AHN offers classes that help manage and care for skin and nail issues through education.

AHN and non-AHN cancer patients who are in active treatment or up to six months post-treatment can register to join the class. Our uniquely certified team will teach you best practices on how to care for changes in your skin and nails during and after treatment. Learn more about product ingredients and things to avoid. You will receive a complimentary spa kit with products specifically made for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Cook. Eat. Educate.

Nutrition is a critical aspect to supporting your overall health. But, an unfortunate side effect of cancer treatment is often food aversion or food sensitivity. This class is focused on helping cancer patients, their caregivers and their families find healthy, nourishing meals that will give their bodies the essential nutrients needed during their care.

Children/grandchildren of patients are welcome to attend and can choose to sit at our “kids table” with a certified child life specialist. Participants can join in person or via Zoom to learn how to make these meals and also share cancer resources.

If you are an AHN patient, you have access to these additional Integrative amenities in 2026:

Art therapy

Art therapy offers a creative outlet to express feelings, reduce stress, and promote a sense of well-being. This program provides AHN Cancer Institute patients with accessible tools for self-expression, fostering relaxation and emotional processing during their care. To support this, we offer watercolor kits, colored pencil kits, and de-stress coloring sheets at most AHN Cancer Institute locations. If you are an AHN Cancer Institute patient and these resources are not readily available to you, you can request them at no cost by calling us at 412-330-4045.

Port shirt

Chemotherapy can be a challenging experience, and at the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute Integrative Oncology Division, we are dedicated to enhancing your comfort and well-being throughout your journey. To this end, our Integrative Oncology Division has partnered with donors and volunteer sewers to provide patients with a complimentary Port Shirt. This specially designed garment features a discreet access point, allowing medical staff easy access to your port while providing increased comfort and privacy during treatment. We encourage you to wear your Port Shirt to upcoming chemotherapy treatments. For questions, please call 412-330-4045.

Lunch and learn with LaRoche-Posay

Cancer treatments can frequently cause changes or irritation to the skin, significantly impacting a patient's comfort and quality of life. The AHN Cancer Institute proudly presents a first-in-the-nation program where our volunteers are specially trained by LaRoche-Posay visit select AHN Cancer Institute locations, distributing professionally curated skincare kits from LaRoche-Posay. These products were chosen by professionals to address common treatment-related skincare side effects. Alongside these kits, patients receive a healthy snack. Each eligible AHN Cancer Institute patient may receive one complimentary kit. If you are an AHN Cancer Institute patient and these resources are not readily available to you, you can request them at no cost by calling us at 412-330-4045.

Reflections

An often-overlooked aspect of cancer treatment is mental and physical rest. Cancer patients need to be able to carve out time to let their bodies heal, so they can return to treatment feeling rejuvenated. Our reflections-focused services are available to help alleviate symptoms without adding on additional medicine. Our Reflections program offers a complimentary voucher for rejuvenation services at preferred provider locations in the South Hills, Greater Pittsburgh, North Hills, and Erie areas. Services include:

Clinical appointments

Dr. Sarah Miller, part of our hematology and medical oncology team, is also certified integrative oncology. Although the other services listed above are complimentary, visits with Dr. Miller will be billed to your insurance. At your integrative oncology consult, Dr. Sarah Miller will discuss disease and treatment-related side effects, then together explore physician recommended complementary therapies to help combat side effects. Dr. Miller’s goal is always to improve and enhance your quality of life and healing outcomes. During this time together, she will:

Review a menu of holistic approaches in these categories.
Customize a plan of care unique to you.
Assist you through your cancer journey.
Suggest specific services offered through our Reflections program.

Refer your patient to an AHN specialist

There are two ways for medical professionals, who are not a part of Allegheny Health Network, to refer their patients to an AHN specialist and request their first appointment. You can:

Call 412-330-4045.
Go to Find Care to find the right AHN specialist and the most convenient location. Then refer your patient, provide relevant patient details, and request an appointment directly from the doctor's profile.

For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.

After referring your patient

Once your patient is receiving care from an AHN specialist, you can view their test results, see their treatment plan, follow their treatment progress, and collaborate with our team using the EpicCare^® Link™ platform.

If you are new to EpicCare Link, or need to request your own EpicCare Link account, read: EpicCare Link for Patient Follow-up, for user instructions and new account request forms.

When EpicCare Link is not an option for a patient's AHN medical records

If you can’t access your patient's AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form, based on their state of residency. Support your patient’s request by downloading the correct medical records release form for them:

EpicCare® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.

EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.

Integrative Oncology Appointments and Access

Learn more about our appointment options, locations, and resources that are at your disposal.

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