About complementary therapies

Conventional medical treatments

Doctors treat cancer using proven medical treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy (radiotherapy) and drug therapies such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. These are called conventional medical treatments and are used to remove cancer, slow or stop its growth and spread, or relieve symptoms.

Conventional medical treatments are based on scientific evidence. They are carefully researched to make sure they work and are safe. This is called evidence-based medicine. Before new treatments are used, they are first tested in laboratories and then with people in large studies. This is called a clinical trial.

How complementary therapies can help

Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional medicines – they may be seen to “complement” them. There is no evidence that complementary therapies can treat or cure the cancer itself.

Complementary therapies are said to focus on the whole person, not treating cancer. This is known as holistic care. They may help manage the physical and emotional impact of cancer, or the side effects of conventional cancer treatments.

Some complementary therapies have strong evidence of benefits, but some do not. Some are being, or have been, scientifically tested to see if they are safe for people with cancer, if they improve symptoms or side effects, and how they interact with conventional cancer treatments. 

The difference between “complementary” and “alternative”

“Complementary” and “alternative” mean very different things, even though you may hear or see the terms used together, e.g. “complementary and alternative therapies”. Cancer Council does not recommend using alternative therapies to treat cancer.

Complementary therapies

• widely used alongside conventional medical treatments
• help manage side effects of cancer or its treatment
• can continue to be used after treatment is completed 
• may be scientifically researched to show they are generally safe and effective in improving the wellbeing of the person (some are, some are not)
• common complementary therapies that are used alongside conventional cancer treatments are included in this guide

Alternative therapies

• used instead of conventional medical treatments
• often not scientifically tested, so there may be no evidence that they do what they claim
• may have been shown to be harmful to people with cancer or not to work
• may interact with other medicines or have unknown side effects – some may be serious or stop successful treatment of the cancer
• often expensive and not covered by Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Some alternative therapies and medicines are promoted as cancer cures, and some alternative therapy practitioners may suggest stopping regular cancer treatment. If you are thinking about this, talk with your doctor and cancer care team first. Delaying conventional treatment to try an alternative therapy can let the cancer grow, making it harder to treat or leaving you too unwell to have treatment. It is important to first talk to your doctor about any and all complementary or alternative therapies you are thinking about trying.