Complementary Therapies
to support Breast Cancer recovery and survival
Complementary therapies are used alongside standard cancer treatment to help improve how well your treatment works, reduce treatment-related pain and organ damage, improve quality of life, reduce recurrence risk, and, in some cases, support longer-term survival.
In this 2019 Systematic Review,12 trials reported beneficial aspects of complementary therapies on the overall survival of cancer patients.
See also:
Detailed Information about Breast Cancer (types, recurrence, metastasis etc)
Breast Cancer Latest Updates on surgery and chemotherapy.
Start Here: 6 things to do before starting standard treatment.
Get a second opinion
Confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan; especially if you were diagnosed during screening.
Request a Chemosensitivity Test
Chemosensitivity tests may reveals which anti-cancer drugs or natural products are effective for you.
Get Advice from a cancer coach
Get advice from a cancer coach to help you increase your personal odds of returning to full health.
Check all your treatment options
You may have treatment options other than those available at your local cancer clinic.
Ask your dr. the right questions
Asking the right questions about your treatment plan is critical to your survival and quality of life.
Start a Personal Health Record
Having copies of x-rays and scans could save you from repeat exposure if original images are lost.
“Healing does not happen in a doctor’s office, it happens at home.“
Jennifer Simmons M.D
Seven-part Recovery plan
1. Address biggest threats first
Reduce risk of Metastasis
Metastatic or stage 4 cancer is estimated to be responsible for about 90% of cancer deaths.
Reduce Risk of Cachexia
Cancer-induced cachexia remains a significant cause of illness and death in cancer treatment.
Kill cancer Stem Cells
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to the initiation, recurrence, and metastasis of cancer.
Kill Parasites and Bacteria
Intestinal parasites, bacteria, and viruses can lead to severe illness and death in cancer patients.
Remove your cancer‘s fuel
Remove whatever is sustaining your cancer such as toxins, geopathic stress, or toxic relationships.
2. Rebuild your body’s defenses
Do Physical Exercise every day
Research shows that a superior level of exercise can reduce cancer-specific mortality by a 28%–44%.
Eat nourishing anti-cancer foods
Research shows that a poor diet (junk foods etc) reduces cancer survival, but a good diet prolongs it.
Balance your Immune System
A good immune system is beneficial for most cancers, but needs to be modulated for a few others.
Heal Your Gut
Your gut bacteria get ill first, then you get ill. And you can’t get fully better, until they get better.
Support p53 tumor suppressor
p53 keeps cancer in check. It is severely compromised in cancers. Even partial restoration is helpful.
“If each thing you did added 3% or 5% to your survival it could make a big difference if you built a whole programme containing these various elements!”
Chris Woollams. Founder of canceractive.com – the UKs no.1 cancer charity
3. Add Anti-cancer Therapies
Get High dose IV Vitamin C
Studies show that IV vitamin C given with chemotherapy and radiotherapy contributes to overall survival.
Get Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
HBOT therapy has been shown to prolong survival and reduces damage caused by radiotherapy.
Explore Traditional Chinese Medicine
Studies show TCM reduces side effects of chemo- and radio-therapy and prolongs survival.
Explore Ozone Therapy
This involves using medical-grade ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen, to treat cancer.
Explore PEMF therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy can modulate the electrochemistry of cancer cells.
Explore Homeopathy
It has been shown to improve survival by researchers from well-regarded medical institutions.
Stimulate your Vagus Nerve
High vagal activity is related to good prognosis and increased chance of survival in various forms of cancers.
Keep Blood Oxygen level >98%
Oxygen-Starved Tumor Cells Have Survival Advantage That Promotes Cancer Spread.
4. Add anti-cancer herbs, spices, extracts, and Supplements
Research has shown that several dietary compounds have anti-cancer properties.
Curcumin
Evidence suggest that curcumin can suppress tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis…
Honokiol
Honokiol has been shown to induce cancer cell death and inhibit metastasis and angiogenesis.
Berberine
There is evidence that sugars like glucose feed cancer cells. Berberine can help reduce blood sugar levels.
Broccoli Sprout Extract
A natural compound derived from broccoli sprouts, has been shown to extend survival in cancer patients.
Matcha Green Tea (EGCG)
EGCG found in green tea can induce apoptosis and exhibits the potential to inhibit metastasis.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Survival in cancer patients with low levels of EPA is reduced by about half (approx 8 months).
Melatonin
Numerous studies have indicated that melatonin halts the spread of various cancers.
Vitamin D
Post-diagnosis vitamin D supplement use is associated with improved overall survival,
More therapies available in Clinics Outside Ireland
5. Add Off-label Anti-cancer Drugs
Off-label drugs are drugs that are used for a disease or condition other than the one they were originally approved for. Several off-label drugs are used successfully in cancer treatment.
Statins
Studies show that statins exert significant benefits on recurrence and survival in many cancer types.
Aspirin
A number of studies show significant reductions in cancer mortality associated with aspirin use.
Metformin
Considerable evidence has indicated metformin can prevent or slow the growth of certain cancers.
Antihistamines
Studies show that antihistamines such as cimetidine, desloratadine, and loratadine improve survival.
Beta-blockers
Beta blockers such as Propranolol have been shown is studies to prolong survival in cancer patients.
Itraconazole
This medication for treating fungal infection has been shown in studies to increase survival.
If you can’t get a prescription or the drugs you need, try Dickson Chemist in the UK. They ship to all EU countries.
6. Heal Emotionally and Spiritually
For her ground-breaking book Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds, Dr Kelly Turner, PhD studied over 1000 cases of people who recovered from cancer against all odds. She found 10 key factors that most of these people used to get better.
Notably, only 3 of the 10 factors involved healing the body, while 7 (below) focused on the mind/spirit.
Increase positive emotions
Studies have shown that a positive emotional state can boost your chances of survival.
Release suppressed emotions
Studies show significant links between higher levels of emotion suppression and cancer mortality.
Deepen your spiritual connection
Studies suggest a link between spiritual care and survival time in patients with far advanced cancer.
Take control of your health
Researchers have found that cancer patients who feel helpless die sooner than those who feel empowered.
Follow your Intuition
When you make decisions, big or small, pay attention to your body’s cues – it may save your life.
Have strong reasons for living
A strong reason to live – like wanting to see your children grow up – can affect your mental state and survival.
Embrace Social Support
Research suggests that social support has an impact on the health and well-being of cancer patients.
7. Reduce your Risk of a Recurrence
Recurrence is a major concern. For example, almost 30% of patients with breast cancer who are free of disease after treatments present with disease recurrence during follow-up.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Research indicates that obesity may worsen several aspects of cancer survivorship, including recurrence.
Practice Overnight Fasting
Nightly fasting for less than13 hours was associated with a 36% higher risk for breast cancer recurrence.
More Ways to Prevent Recurrence
Evidence-based information on factors that may influence cancer recurrence risk, including lifestyle…
after treatment – liver recovery
When you finish standard treatment you might want to consider a liver cleanse because toxins from treatment can damage your liver and ultimately reduce survival time.
Taking supplemental antioxidants during chemo or radiotherapy.
Some oncologists discourage the use of supplemental antioxidants claiming they could interfere with treatment.
The evidence is mixed and context-dependent, but several reviews of clinical studies report no clear signal of reduced efficacy in many settings— and sometimes improved tolerance or outcomes.
For example, this study concluded: 280 peer-reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies, including 50 human studies involving 8,521 patients, 5,081 of whom were given nutrients, have consistently shown that non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with therapeutic modalities for cancer. Furthermore, they enhance the killing of therapeutic modalities for cancer, decrease their side effects, and protect normal tissue. In 15 human studies, 3,738 patients who took non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients actually had increased survival.
Read more
This Systematic Review of 19 trials evaluating the effects of Antioxidants concluded: None of the trials reported evidence of significant decreases in efficacy from antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy. Many of the studies indicated that antioxidant supplementation resulted in either increased survival times, increased tumor responses, or both, as well as fewer toxicities than controls…
This study concluded: Hypotheses that antioxidants’ inhibition of free-radical activity may negate cytotoxic properties of some cancer therapies have been dependent on naive and inaccurate assumptions. The available data suggest a rational basis for the continued use of selected antioxidant agents as therapeutic adjuncts in cancer therapy…
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and NCI advise cancer patients to avoid high-dose supplements during treatment unless under medical supervision.
“Just never, give up”
Cancer Survival Tips from a recovered cancer patient – 2 minutes
Cancer Survival Tips from a medical doctor and recovered cancer patient – 4 mins
Explore Alternative Treatments to support cancer recovery and survival.
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Cancer Types
Last updated June 2026