Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel - Integrative Medicine doctor, scientist and educator

MB BChir MA Hons MA PG Dip IFMCP DipIM PG Cert DipION RYT200

Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is an award-winning, Oxbridge-trained medical doctor, scientist and educator with over a decade of experience in integrative health and integrative cancer care. She holds degrees in Medicine and Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, along with distinctions in an MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine and a PG Diploma in Health Research from the University of Oxford. Alongside her medical training, she has qualified across nutrition, functional and integrative medicine, herbal medicine, health coaching and yoga, and she integrates this breadth of knowledge seamlessly into both her clinical practice and her teaching. Nina is the Founder, Medical Director and Head of Integrative Cancer Care at Synthesis Clinic, the first CQC-registered UK integrative and lifestyle medicine practice of full scope, and CEO of the National Centre for Integrative Oncology (NCIO) charity. She is widely published in peer-reviewed oncology and nutrition journals, co-authored Integrative Oncology in Breast Cancer Care (Springer, 2024), contributed to international clinical guidelines, and lectures internationally at major integrative oncology conferences. Through the Systems Approach to Cancer® programme, Dr Nina has translated this clinical, scientific and academic experience into practical, evidence-informed training for nutrition professionals. Her courses are grounded in real-world practice: rooted in current research, structured around case-based learning, and focused on the skills practitioners genuinely need to support clients well across treatment, survivorship and living well with cancer. She created the Systems Approach to Cancer model because she believes integrative oncology should be the standard of cancer care, and that well-trained, confident nutrition professionals are essential to making that happen.
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel Integrative Medicine doctor, scientist and educator

Important information

Please note that this course is suitable for qualified nutrition professionals only (dietitians, nutritionists and nutritional therapists). You must be qualified to provide nutrition advice, registered with a professional body and insured to practice. The course content is delivered via online self-paced pre-recorded lectures with a monthly 90 min live Q&A (recorded). The approximate time commitment is 3-4 hours of lectures a month, 90 min Q&A and approx. 8-18 hours of additional optional reading. The course is assessed through MCQ/short answer questions and a final assessed case study. It is accredited by BANT and provides 30 hours of CPD with NTEC certification for those who pass the case study assignment.

Enrol in a practical course that will support you in clinic

As a practicing clinician, I know that your education needs to not only be thorough and evidence-based but also practical. I bring my knowledge and expertise as an integrative medicine doctor, nutritional therapist, herbalist and yoga teacher to the course, as well as experience from the award-winning Synthesis Clinic. We also offer a mentorship programme following course completion to help get you started with your first integrative cancer support cases.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Preparing for the course

    • Terms and conditions

    • Course overview

    • Welcome and recommended reading material

    • Live Q&A schedule

    • Preparing for the course getting to know you quiz

    • Facebook Group
  • 2

    Module 1 - epidemiology and biology of cancer and cancer prevention

    • Overview of Module 1

    • Introduction and cancer epidemiology in the UK

    • Reducing cancer risk with nutrition and lifestyle interventions

    • Cancer screening and hereditary cancer syndromes

    • Cancer theories and hallmarks

    • Module 1 survey - must be completed

    • Module 1 quiz
  • 3

    Module 2 - medical treatment of cancer, side effects and supportive strategies

    • Overview of Module 2

    • Overview of cancer treatment

    • Troubleshooting common problems during treatment

    • Prehabilitation and surgery (perioperative) support

    • Radiotherapy & hormone treatment support

    • Cancer and non-hormonal menopause support

    • Bonus information - reviewing interactions

    • Targeted therapies and ICI-based immunotherapy in cancer treatment

    • Q&A Month 2 - recording

    • Module 2 quiz

    • Module 2 survey - must be completed
  • 4

    Module 3 - Systems Approach to Cancer Part 1

    • Introduction and learning outcomes

    • Introduction to Systems Approach to Cancer

    • Resources

    • Mental/emotional/spiritual health & biorhythms

    • Microbiomes, GI function and cancer

    • Immune function and cancer

    • ESIO immuno-oncology update

    • For general information - mistletoe therapy

    • Effective and balanced detoxification

    • Module 3 Q&A recording

    • Module 3 quiz

    • Module 3 survey
  • 5

    Module 4 - Systems Approach to Cancer Part 2

    • Introduction and learning outcomes

    • Circulation and tissue architecture (invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis)

    • Role of hormones and hormone modulation in cancer

    • Metabolic and mitochondrial health

    • Cancer metabolism and special diets (part of Metabolic and mitochondrial health lesson)

    • Methylation and genomic stability

    • Bonus material from the Hormone GATeway course

    • Assignment Paperwork

    • Module 4 survey
  • 6

    Module 5 - Developing your practice and case study assignment

    • Introduction and learning outcomes

    • Working with metastatic cancer & clinical trials

    • Supporting recovery and building resilience post-treatment

    • Case study example
  • 7

    Module 6 - Integrative management of cancer, multidisciplinary working and case studies

    • Overview of Module 6

    • Integrated care teams

    • Month 5-6 evaluation (combined)

    • Yoga for cancer

    • TNBC recovery support (Genova webinar)

    • PubMed training

    • Important - please complete course evaluation