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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
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Like any treatment, certain integrative (holistic) therapies may pose risks. The American Cancer Society recommends discussing any type of integrative therapy you are considering with your cancer care team before you try it.
Finding reliable information can be a challenge.
Controlled human studies (clinical trials) are the best way to find out if a treatment is safe and effective. But integrative therapies that do not make claims to treat specific diseases or side effects can be sold without being studied. This can lead to a lack of data about whether the treatment is safe and effective. In this case, it can be hard to tell if a person's illness is getting better because of the treatment or chance.
They may be harmful.
Certain vitamins and minerals might increase the risk of some cancers or other illnesses, especially if too much is taken.
They may interfere with treatment.
Some studies have shown that some integrative therapies can interfere with standard treatments.
They may not work.
Since they have not been studied carefully, integrative therapies may not work as you hope they do.
Some integrative therapies can benefit some people with cancer while others can have dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. This is why you should try to learn as much as you can about each treatment before you use it. Even if some information isn’t available, the limits of what is known can help you make your decision.
The choice to use integrative therapies is yours. You can use them more safely if you:
Along with the American Cancer Society, the following is a partial list of websites and phone numbers of reputable groups that provide reliable information on integrative therapies*:
*Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Website: https://dctd.cancer.gov/programs/occam
Offers in-depth information about complementary and alternative therapies with a focus on cancer. Includes sections on talking to your health care provider about CAM, information about specific therapies and frequently asked questions.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Toll-free number: 1-888-644-6226 TTY: 1-866-464-3615
Website: https://nccih.nih.gov
Has information on integrative and alternative therapy-related topics and clinical trials.
National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements
Website: https://ods.od.nih.gov
Provides information about wise supplement use and detailed fact sheets about individual vitamins and supplements.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center About Herbs and Botanicals
Website: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs
Offers evidence-based information about herbs, botanicals, supplements, and more.
US Food and Drug Administration – Dietary Supplements
Website: https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements
Includes information about labels, rules, regulations, and more about dietary supplements.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Information Center
Phone: 1-301-504-5414
Website: https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
Find out about dietary supplements, vitamins, and minerals. Choose “Dietary Supplements” from the left menu bar.
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Integrative medicine. Accessed at cancer.net. Content is no longer available.
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Complementary and alternative medicine. Published October 31, 2024. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam on May 22, 2025.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: What’s in a name? Published October 2021. Accessed at https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/complementary-alternative-or-integrative-health-whats-in-a-name on May 22, 2025.
Phutrakool P., Pongpirul K. Acceptance and use of complementary and alternative medicine among medical specialists: a 15-year systematic review and data synthesis. Syst Rev. 2022; 11, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01882-4
Snyder J, Zenone M, Grewal A, et al. Crowdfunding for complementary and alternative cancer treatments in Tijuana, Mexico: Content analysis. JMIR Cancer. 2024;10:e52018. https://cancer.jmir.org/2024/1/e52018. DOI: 10.2196/52018Accessed May 22, 2025.
Wong CH, Sundberg T, Chung VC, et al. Complementary medicine use in US adults with a history of colorectal cancer: a nationally representative survey. Support Care Cancer. 2021;29(1):271-278. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05494-x.
Last Revised: July 11, 2025
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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