Some people use complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) during cancer treatment. These therapies may help support health, improve quality of life, or help with healing.
However, some CAM therapies can interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Because of this, you should talk to your health care provider about any CAM you use or are thinking about using.
Natural Medicines Database
BC Cancer subscribes to the Natural Medicines Database, a trusted, research-based resource.
If you are interested in special diets, herbs or supplements, you can ask for information at any BC Cancer library. Library staff can help you find reliable, evidence-based information from this database.
BC Cancer has shared evidence-based information on CAM since 1987, when it first published Unproven Methods of Cancer Treatment: A manual for patients. Later editions became the
Unconventional Cancer Therapies Manual, with the final edition published in 2000.
Today, many trusted websites offer reliable CAM information. BC Cancer lists these resources in the
BC Cancer Library Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Pathfinder. Another trusted source is MedlinePlus, which offers information on herbs and supplements.
The Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education and Outcomes Research Program (CAMEO) is a partnership between the UBC School of Nursing and BC Cancer.
CAMEO focuses on turning CAM research into clear, easy-to-use information for patients and health care providers. While CAMEO does not offer one-to-one consultations, you can still access many helpful resources on the
CAMEO web pages.
Recommendation from BC Cancer experts (medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, pharmacy, nursing and nutrition:
BC Cancer does
not recommend using natural health products during chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery.
Natural health products include vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements. People often take them in addition to food, sometimes in larger amounts than they get from their diet.
You can take a standard multivitamin and mineral supplement.
- Choose one that matches your age group
- Make sure it contains small amounts of many nutrients
- Avoid high-dose supplements
Doctors cannot always predict how natural health products will affect cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy work in complex ways. They aim to destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy cells.
Natural health products may
- Reduce how well treatment works
- Increase side effects.
- Change how your body processes cancer drugs
For example, St. John's Wort can reduce the amount of some chemotherapy drugs in your blood by about half. This can make treatment less effective.
There is limited research comparing people who use natural health products with those who do not. Because of this, doctors do not yet know if these products are safe or helpful during cancer treatment.
Most people do not need to avoid specific foods during cancer treatment.
Your cancer care team will tell you if you need to avoid certain foods. If you have questions about your diet, talk to a registered dietitian at your cancer treatment centre.
These recommendations help guide the safe use of natural health products. However, this topic is still debated because there is limited scientific evidence.
If you have questions, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or dietitian. You can also find more information through the
BC Cancer Library.
Weiger W.A., Smith M., Boon H., et al. 'Advising patients who seek complementary and alternative medical therapies for cancer'. Ann. Intern. Med. 2002;137:889-903.
