Complementary and Integrative Medicine

This page is for people with cancer who are thinking about practices like meditation, acupuncture, or supplements. It explains the difference between complementary and alternative medicine and how to stay safe.

This page is for people with cancer who are thinking about trying something alongside their treatment. Complementary medicine means practices used alongside standard cancer treatment. It does not replace that treatment. This is different from alternative medicine, which replaces standard treatment. That difference matters a lot for your safety. It is worth knowing clearly before you try anything new.

Integrative care combines standard treatment with supportive practices used alongside it. Meditation for stress is one example. Acupuncture to ease treatment side effects is another.

How strong the evidence is differs a great deal from one practice to the next. So does the safety picture. For instance, NCI says acupuncture needs a strict clean-needle method, because chemotherapy and radiation weaken the immune system. Ask your team what the evidence looks like for the specific thing you are considering. Also ask whether it is safe for you at this point in treatment.

Alternative medicine means using something instead of standard treatment. A special diet used in place of chemotherapy is one example. This second path is risky. No special diet can slow cancer, cure it, or stop it from coming back.

• Mind-body practices include meditation, yoga, tai chi, and guided imagery. People often use these for stress.
• Touch-based practices include massage and chiropractic care.
• Reiki is a form of energy healing.
• Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine.
• Vitamins, herbs, and other supplements need the most caution.

Some complementary practices have been studied. NCI says acupuncture, yoga, and meditation have been found to be generally safe and effective. NCI also says others do not work, may be harmful, or could interact with your medicines. Supplements taken by mouth carry more real risk. They deserve more caution. Treat these two groups differently. Do not lump them all into one bucket in your mind.

"Natural" does not mean safe. Herbal supplements can cause real harm. Some can hurt your liver. Some can block how well your cancer drugs work. St. John's Wort is one example. It can weaken certain cancer drugs.

Dietary supplements are regulated differently from medicines. The FDA is not allowed to approve a supplement for safety and effectiveness before it is sold. A label may not list the right amount of an ingredient. Some products hold ingredients that are not on the label. So what is in the bottle is far less certain than with a prescription. Because of this, check with your team before you start any supplement, even one that seems gentle or natural.

Tell your oncologist about every supplement, vitamin, and other practice you use, even things that seem harmless. Your team needs the full picture to catch a problem before it starts. You will not be judged for asking. Doctors expect these questions and want this information, because it keeps you safe.

• What proof exists that this practice actually helps?
• Could it affect my current treatment?
• What training does the practitioner have?
• Will they work with my cancer team, not around it?

Some complementary practices may not be covered by insurance. Some can be expensive over time, especially ongoing supplements or regular sessions with a practitioner. Cost is a fair thing to weigh alongside evidence and safety. It is not a lesser concern just because it is practical rather than medical. Before committing to a practice long term, ask upfront what it costs and whether they take insurance. Also ask how often you would need it.

Some people, even well-meaning friends or family, may push you toward alternative treatments in place of your standard care. This may happen especially during a hard stretch of treatment. It is okay to say no, even to someone who loves you and means well. You can also bring their suggestion to your oncologist directly. Your team can help you sort out what, if anything, might be worth trying alongside your treatment. They can also tell you what should be avoided entirely.

• Which practices might help my specific symptoms, based on real evidence?
• Is this supplement safe for me? (Ask before you start it, not after.)
• Does my cancer center have a program that can guide me?

Call 911 or go to an emergency department if you have any of these after you take a supplement:

• Your face, lips, or tongue swell.
• A rash spreads fast.
• Breathing gets hard.

That can be a severe allergic reaction.

Call your care team the same day if you have any of these:

• Your skin or eyes turn yellow.
• Your urine goes dark.
• You hurt under the right ribs.

Some herbs harm the liver. NCI says some studies link kava to liver damage, and MedlinePlus says the FDA has warned against it.

Call your care team within a day or two if you have begun a supplement and not yet told them. St. John's wort, for one, can make some cancer drugs work less well.

• National Cancer Institute — Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
• MedlinePlus — A guide to herbal remedies. Accessed 2026-09-29.
• MedlinePlus — Jaundice. Accessed 2026-09-29.
• MedlinePlus — Anaphylaxis. Accessed 2026-09-29.
• FDA — Information for consumers on using dietary supplements. Accessed 2026-09-29.
• NCI — Acupuncture (PDQ), Patient Version. Accessed 2026-09-29.