Using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) while you are being treated for breast cancer is a very personal choice, but research shows it can affect your health in important ways. A large study published in JAMA Network Open found that women who relied on CAM instead of standard breast cancer treatment were less likely to survive.
What is CAM?
CAM stands for “complementary and alternative medicine.” It includes health practices and products that are not part of standard medical care, such as:
- Herbal products, vitamins, and dietary supplements
- Special diets, juicing, or “detox” programs
- Acupuncture, massage, yoga, tai chi, meditation
- Chiropractic care, homeopathy, or energy healing
“Complementary” usually means these approaches are used alongside standard care to help with symptoms and well‑being. “Alternative” usually means they are used instead of recommended medical treatments.
How was the study done?
Researchers used a large national cancer database that included women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2011 and 2021. They focused on women whose treatment plans were documented clearly and grouped them based on what they received:
- Standard treatment only (such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy)
- Standard treatment plus CAM
- CAM only
- No treatment
They then looked at how many women in each group were alive several years after diagnosis.
Key findings
The most important finding: women who received standard breast cancer treatment had better survival than those who did not.
- Women who had standard treatment alone lived longer than women who used CAM alone.
- Women who used CAM instead of standard treatment had survival rates very similar to women who received no treatment at all.
- Women who used CAM plus standard treatment had worse survival than women who had standard treatment alone.
The study suggests that CAM, by itself, does not control breast cancer as well as proven medical treatments. It also shows that even when CAM is added to standard care, it may lead some patients to skip or delay important parts of treatment.
Why can CAM affect outcomes?
In the study, women who used CAM alongside standard care were more likely to miss or refuse certain recommended treatments. For example, they were less likely to receive:
- Radiation therapy after surgery
- Hormone (endocrine) therapy for hormone‑receptor–positive breast cancer
These treatments are an important part of lowering the risk that breast cancer will come back or spread. When patients choose CAM and decide to leave out surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy, their chances of survival go down.
CAM that may be helpful as support
Some CAM approaches may help you feel better during treatment when used safely and with your care team’s guidance. These can include:
- Yoga, stretching, or tai chi to improve flexibility, balance, and fatigue
- Meditation, mindfulness, or breathing exercises to ease stress and anxiety
- Massage or acupuncture from trained providers to help with pain, nausea, or neuropathy
- Counseling, support groups, or spiritual care to support emotional health
These supportive therapies are meant to work with your cancer treatment, not replace it. Always check with your oncology team first, especially before starting any herbs or supplements.
CAM that may be harmful or risky
Some CAM products or practices can interfere with your treatment or put you at risk.
- Certain herbs and supplements can change how chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other medicines are absorbed or broken down in your body.
- “Natural” does not always mean safe; high doses or multiple products together can cause side effects or interact with your medications.
- Diets that are extremely restrictive or involve fasting may lead to weight loss, malnutrition, or weakness during treatment.
Because of these risks, it is important to talk with your oncologist, pharmacist, or nurse before starting any new supplement or major diet change.
Talking with your cancer care team
Many patients do not tell their cancer team they are using CAM because they worry about being judged or told to stop. However, your team can only help keep you safe if they know what you are taking and doing.
Consider sharing:
- Any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use (bring bottles or a list)
- Any alternative practitioners you see (such as acupuncturists, chiropractors, naturopaths)
- Any major diet changes you are making
- If you are thinking about skipping or delaying surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy
You and your team can then talk together about what is safe, what might interfere with treatment, and how to support your quality of life during care.
What this means for you
This study supports several key messages for people with breast cancer:
- Standard treatments like surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are proven to help women live longer.
- Using CAM instead of standard treatment is linked with poorer survival and outcomes similar to having no treatment at all.
- Using CAM alongside standard care may still be harmful if it leads you to refuse or delay recommended treatments.
- Some supportive therapies—such as gentle movement, stress‑reduction practices, and counseling—may be used safely to help manage side effects and improve well‑being, when guided by your cancer team.
If you are considering CAM, the safest approach is to keep your oncology team informed and make decisions together.
Top 5 questions to ask your doctor about CAM and breast cancer treatment
1. Is the CAM therapy I’m considering safe to use with my specific breast cancer treatment?
Ask whether the approach (such as supplements, herbs, acupuncture, or a special diet) could interfere with your surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
2. Could any of my vitamins, herbs, or supplements change how my cancer medicines work?
Bring a complete list or the actual bottles so your team can check for possible interactions or side effects.
3. Are there evidence‑based complementary therapies you recommend to help with my symptoms?
Your doctor or nurse may suggest options such as physical activity, acupuncture, massage, or mindfulness to help with pain, nausea, sleep, or anxiety.
4. What are the risks if I delay, reduce, or skip part of my standard treatment to try CAM instead?
Use this question to talk openly about how standard treatments affect survival, and why replacing them with CAM can be dangerous.
5. Who on my care team can help me evaluate CAM information and providers?
Ask which professionals (such as an integrative medicine specialist, oncology pharmacist, or dietitian) can review CAM options with you and help you make a safe plan.
Reference
Ayoade OF, Caturegli G, Canavan ME, Resio BJ, Berger ER, Boffa DJ. Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Management of Breast Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Mar 2;9(3):e260337.
