State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Longfei Wo
The 2024 Chinese Congress on Holistic Integrative Oncology (CCHIO) was successfully held in Xi’an. Since participating in the competitive bidding for the hosting rights in 2023, I have been deeply involved in the preparations for CCHIO. In my heart, CCHIO is not just a conference; it represents an ideology. CCHIO vividly elucidates the direction, laws, paths, and themes of Holistic Integrative Medicine (HIM), while addressing the questions of "What," "Why," "How," and "Who."
CCHIO offers advanced ideas that clarify what HIM aims to achieve. Humans are thinking beings, and the development of medicine requires ideological guidance. The goals of doctors, hospitals, and medical departments differ, yet they must be pursued. Academician Fan Daiming believes that the pursuit of medicine is fundamentally HIM. This concept starts with a holistic perspective, integrating the most advanced theoretical knowledge from various medical fields alongside effective clinical experiences, adjusting for biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. This approach aims to form a more consistent and effective medical system conducive to human health, encompassing disease diagnosis and treatment, and allowing medical services to achieve the integration of mind and body, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, prevention and treatment, as well as medical care and compassion. The influence of CCHIO may vary across different countries, but the goals remain unified under the guidance of HIM.
CCHIO reveals the laws of medical development, answering the question of "Why"—why medicine operates as it does. HIM sage Fan Daiming emphasizes that "it is not enough for medicine to rely solely on science. In addition to science, medicine encompasses anthropology, sociology, economics, linguistics, art, psychology, and more. All knowledge related to humanity should serve medicine." In other words, the realization of integrative medicine is not merely a product of scientific minds but is rooted in a highly civilized society. If medicine is to progress, it must embrace the era of HIM. Based on this conclusion, Chairman Fan led the China Anti-Cancer Association to organize this year's CCHIO.
CCHIO adheres to the policy of "prevention-screening-diagnosis-treatment-rehabilitation, evaluation-support-control-protection-survival," answering the question of "How"—how medicine should be practiced. Fan Daiming points out that, despite significant advancements in traditional medicine, the ever-evolving spectrum of diseases presents insurmountable challenges. Strength can only be attained through integration. The content of each branch venue at CCHIO was inspiring, covering topics from macro to micro, clinical to basic research, and extensively integrating TCM and Western medicine throughout the entire patient lifecycle.
CCHIO embodies the people's desire for health. This year, the conference attracted 60,000 offline participants worldwide, with the opening ceremony's live broadcast viewership exceeding 200 million and over thousands speakers. The attendees included healthcare workers, doctors, patients, and many ordinary individuals. Everyone has an irreplaceable role in the development of medicine. Medicine is a common endeavor for all humanity. Based in China, CCHIO reaches out globally, showcasing the scientific ethics and human rights principles tied to medical achievements shared by mankind.
We are confident in an even better CCHIO next year in Yunnan Province. We hope to continue promoting the development of holistic integrative medicine, benefiting more patients and society in the year ahead.