Study Presentation

A cross‑sectional study titled “Expectations and unmet needs of cancer patients seeking Ayurved Rasayana therapy: A cross‑sectional study from India” was presented as an abstract in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) proceedings of the ASCO Breakthrough 2026 meeting, co‑hosted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Singapore Society of Oncology (SSO).

Sample and Period

The study analysed data from 3,351 patients with solid tumours who were surveyed between 2020 and 2025, prior to initiating any Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy. The affiliation listed for the abstract is Rasayu Cancer Clinic, Pune, India.

Patient Motivations

  • 1,728 patients (51 %) reported seeking Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy primarily to improve quality of life.
  • 1,050 patients (31 %) aimed to manage adverse reactions associated with conventional anticancer treatment.
  • 916 patients (27.24 %) expressed dissatisfaction with previous medical treatment as a driver for seeking Ayurvedic care.
  • Approximately 7.5 % of the cohort sought care during the remission phase or after surgery with the expectation of maximising disease‑free survival.

Knowledge Gaps and Expectations

  • When asked about their current cancer stage, around 31 % of respondents gave an incorrect answer.
  • 760 patients (≈22 %) expected a cure from Ayurvedic therapy; this expectation did not differ significantly between early‑stage and advanced‑stage disease groups.

Conclusions and Implications

The authors highlighted substantial gaps in patient understanding of disease status and treatment outcomes, emphasizing the need for structured patient education and clear communication regarding diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, and expected results. The study does not assess the clinical efficacy or curative potential of Ayurveda; its focus is solely on patient expectations, motivations, and unmet needs.

Quote

Vaidya Yogesh Bendale, founder of Rasayu Cancer Clinic, stated that cancer care extends beyond disease management to include quality of life, mitigation of treatment‑related adverse effects, and appropriate patient guidance.

Potential Impact

The findings may aid researchers and clinicians in better understanding Indian cancer patients’ expectations when they consider integrative Ayurvedic approaches, and may inform future evidence‑based research and policy discussions on integrative cancer care.