Walking into an integrative cancer conference can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You are surrounded by researchers, physicians, holistic practitioners, vendors, and patients who are all exploring innovative approaches to cancer care. Here is how to prepare so you can truly make the most out of an integrative cancer conference, especially as a patient.
Events like the Annie Appleseed Project conference, the Believe Big conference, and the Riordan Clinic Cancer Care Reimagined Conference offer powerful education and meaningful connection.
But here is the truth. You will not absorb everything. And you are not supposed to.
The goal is not to leave knowing it all. The goal is to leave clearer, more connected, and more confident about your next steps.
Here is how to make the most out of an integrative cancer conference as a patient.
1. Bring a Notebook and Pen to Capture What Resonates
Yes, you can take notes on your phone or laptop. But writing by hand helps you slow down and process what you are hearing.
Bring a dedicated notebook just for the conference and be ready to include things such as:
- -Key takeaways
- -Questions to research later
- -Practitioner names and clinics
- -Testing or therapies to explore
- -Ideas to discuss with your medical team
- -New friends you want to stay connected with
You do not need to document every slide. Instead, listen for what feels aligned. What makes you lean forward a little? What sparks curiosity? That is your gold.
2. The Person Next to You Might Change Your Life
One of the most overlooked benefits of a cancer conference is the person sitting beside you.
Instead of scrolling on your phone while you wait for the session to begin, turn to them and introduce yourself. A simple smile and “Hi, are you from around here?” opens the door.
Invite someone to sit with you at lunch. Ask what brought them there. Share what you are hoping to learn or your favorite moment so far.
You may walk away with:
- A new friend who understands your experience
- A referral to a practitioner you align with
- A practical tip that directly applies to your situation
Community is powerful medicine. Sometimes the most meaningful insight of the event comes from the kind human sitting right beside you.
3. Talk to the Exhibitors and Vendors
The exhibitor hall at an integrative oncology conference can feel overwhelming. There are supplement companies, testing labs, medical clinics, device manufacturers, authors, nonprofit organizations, and more.
Don’t just grab brochures and free samples. Engage.
The people working the booths often know their products and services far more deeply than what you will find on a website.
Ask thoughtful questions:
- Who is this best suited for?
- Who should avoid this?
- What results have you seen in patients?
- Do you offer a conference special or discounts?
Many vendors provide special pricing available only during the event.
If something interests you but you are unsure, take their information and write a quick note to yourself about why it caught your attention. That context will matter when you get home with a stack of various vendors’ materials to review at home.
4. Take Photos of Slides, Books, and Resources
You will hear about studies, books, protocols, and tools that you will not remember later. That is completely normal. There’s a lot of information to take in and a lot of moments to experience.
If a slide feels important, take a photo for personal reference. If you see a study you want to read, snap a picture to look it up later. If a practitioner lists helpful resources, capture them.
Your future self will appreciate having visual reminders when you sit down to process everything.
5. Dress in Layers and Prioritize Physical Comfort
Conference centers are notorious for unpredictable temperatures. One room may feel freezing, another slightly muggy.
Plan ahead by bringing:
- -A light sweater, or wrap, or jacket
- -Comfortable shoes
- -A refillable water bottle
- -Small healthy snacks
Cancer fatigue is real. The more physically comfortable you are, the more mental energy you will have for learning.
6. Review the Schedule in Advance and Pace Yourself
One of the biggest overwhelms patients feel at a cancer conference is trying to attend everything, especially if you are visiting a different time zone.
You do not have to be present at every event offering.
Before the event, review the schedule and circle the top three to five sessions that matter most to you or where you feel like you’ll personally get the most value. If you attend those and nothing else, you will have plenty to glean and been able to make the most of an integrative cancer conference.
If there are breakout sessions where you’ll choose which lecture to attend, give yourself a second option in case your first choice is full.
And yes, it is okay to:
- -Skip a session and rest
- -Take a quiet walk outside in the sun
- -Step away for a moment if you feel overwhelmed
Information is helpful. Overload is not.
7. Set Clear Intentions Before You Go
Preparation starts before you even pack your bag.
Ask yourself:
- 1. What am I hoping to learn?
- 2. What feels confusing in my current care?
- 3. Am I looking for clinical options, lifestyle tools, or community most?
Write your answers at the front of your notebook. When you feel pulled in multiple directions, come back to your intention. Let it guide which sessions you attend and which conversations you pursue.
8. Have a Simple Follow Up Plan After the Conference
The real impact of an integrative cancer conference happens after you return home.
Within two weeks of the event concluding:
- -Review your notes
- -Highlight your top three action steps
- -Schedule any follow up calls or appointments
- -Share what you learned with someone you trust
Resist the urge to change everything at once. Choose one or two aligned shifts and begin there.
Steady progress builds confidence.
Final Thoughts on Making the Most of an Integrative Cancer Conference
Integrative cancer conferences can be deeply empowering spaces. They remind you that innovation is happening and that more options exist. They are a great place to feel you are not alone and you are smart in seeking a comprehensive, patient centered approach to your care.
Whether you are attending gatherings like the Annie Appleseed Project conference, the Believe Big conference, or the Riordan Clinic Cancer Care Reimagined Conference, or others, you can feel less overwhelm when you go in prepared.
Bring an open notebook.
Bring a willingness to connect with your heart not just your mind.
Bring your curiosity.
And most importantly, bring trust in your ability to discern what feels right for you.
You are not there to collect information like trophies. You are there to gather insight that supports your healing journey in a way that feels grounded, thoughtful, and empowering.
To learn more about what it’s like to go to an integrative cancer conference from a patient perspective, check out my article here.
