About us

 

The Belgian Society for Integrative Oncology (BelSIO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the integration of complementary treatments and lifestyle modifications into conventional oncology care with the aim to enhance the quality of life and oncological outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.

Integrative oncology (IO) is a patient-centered, evidence-informed approach that addresses not only physical symptoms, but also the emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of health to optimize quality of life, and clinical outcomes across the cancer care continuum, while empowering patients to take an active role before, during and after treatment.

We bring together a diverse network of healthcare providers — including physicians, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, complementary care practitioners, ... — and patient advocates to foster collaboration, knowledge transfer, multidisciplinary innovation and the structured implementation of integrative oncology guidelines.

BelSIO supports education and training in IO, awareness and scientific research on the safety and effectiveness of complementary therapies and lifestyle interventions. We foster respectful dialogue between conventional and complementary care and serve as a liaison for policymakers, institutions, and patient organizations.

BelSIO also intends to collaborate with international organizations to align with global standards and exchange knowledge.

Our mission

BelSIO has the following objectives:

  • Inform and create awareness about integrative oncology amongst healthcare providers, patients and the general public 
  • Disseminate guidelines on integrative oncology in hospitals and clinical practice
  • Promote collaboration between healthcare providers from various disciplines
  • Organise and offer training and education opportunities e.g webinars
  • Stimulate and support scientific research into the effectiveness and safety of complementary and lifestyle-oriented interventions in cancer
  • Facilitate communication with policymakers, academic institutions, patient organisations and other stakeholders
  • Represent the integrative oncology community at national and international level
  • Exchange knowledge and experience with international sister organisations in Europe and the world

Expert team

Our organisation consists of doctors and other healthcare providers with special interest and expertise in oncology, focusing on an integrated approach to an oncological problem, consisting of a combination of medical, lifestyle and complementary therapies.

Meet our founding members & the board

Natacha Ruyssers

President BelSIO

Surgical Oncologist, MD, FEBBS

AZ Turnhout

Bart Devos

Vice-president BelSIO

General Surgeon, MD

AZ Zeno, Knokke

Christel Fontaine

Secretary and Treasurer BelSIO

Medical Oncologist, MD

University Hospital Brussels

Sevilay Altintas

Medical Oncologist, MD, PhD

University Hospital Antwerp

 

Claire Boland

Internist and Intensivist, MD, Acupuncturist

Saint-Jean Clinic, Brussels

Lore Dams

Physiotherapist, PhD

University of Antwerp

 

Marie-Amélie de Potter

Master Oriental Philology

Pluszorg, AZ Zeno, Knokke

Sabine Marichal

Medical Oncologist, MD

Saint-Jean Clinic, Brussels

 

Ann-Marie Morel

Pneumo-Oncologist, MD Psychotherapist

A touch of Rose, Bornem

Jo Nijs

Physiotherapist and Manual Therapist, MSc, PhD

Free University of Brussels 

Ann Smeets

Breast surgeon, MD, PhD

University Hospital Leuven

Ingrid Theunissen

Gynaecologist, MD Homeopath

Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels

Vincent Verschaeve

Medical Oncologist, MD

GHdC, Charleroi

Contact us

Contact BelSIO today to find out how we can promote the integration of complementary and lifestyle-based care in oncology practice. We are ready to answer your questions and support you in your efforts towards an integral approach to cancer care.