Cancer (General)
Cancer (General) is a broad reference category within oncology, not a description of one specific cancer type, stage, symptom pattern, or treatment plan. Findings associated with this category may not apply uniformly across all cancers or people.
A clear starting point for exploring Cancer (General) in the context of oncology.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
23 options:1 good evidence9 some evidence12 not enough evidence1 not tested in people
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)practiceGood evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Good human studies found a benefit, and they mostly agree. This is about what studies measured, not a cure.
All 8 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Meta-analyses of randomized trials in people with cancer reported improved VO2max and, compared with MICT, improved relVO2PEAK; the latter analysis also reported improvements in walking distance and mobility.
Open the High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) pageAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)practiceSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 11 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Pooled randomized trials in people with cancer found improved psychological flexibility and quality of life with ACT, while fatigue and sleep outcomes lacked evidence. In people with advanced cancer, pooled trials also found improvements in quality of life, anxiety, depression, psychological distress and fatigue, but not pain or psychological flexibility.
Open the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) pageMeditationpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Large
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 8 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Open the Meditation pageYogapracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 10 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A meta-analysis of 55 randomized controlled trials in adults with cancer reported improvements in anxiety, depression, and spiritual and emotional well-being. A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found within-group stress reduction in a subgroup of people with cancer.
Open the Yoga pageCardiopracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Medium
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 4 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Open the Cardio pageMassagepracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Large
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 7 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded reported a reduction in cancer-related pain with non-pharmacological nursing strategies that included massage therapy; the reported effect was classified as trivial.
Open the Massage pagePsychotherapypracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A pooled analysis of seven randomized trials found improved sexual function and sexual quality of life in women with gynecologic cancer or undergoing gynecologic surgery; certainty was rated low by GRADE. A separate review reported improvements in quality of life, self-esteem, spirituality, post-traumatic growth and social outcomes across adults with various cancer types and stages, but all included studies had high risk of bias.
Open the Psychotherapy pageQigongpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Medium
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
16 of 17 studies found a benefit; 1 found none.
A network meta-analysis of randomized trials in cancer survivors found benefits for pain and quality of life compared with control. Other pooled trials enrolled women with breast cancer and reported quality-of-life, depression, and anxiety outcomes.
Open the Qigong page
May not suit people with this condition
Supplements and practices linked to problems for people with this condition.
Black SalvepracticeLikely
A 2023 case series reported cancer persistence in 28.8% after treatment, including cancers that may have been metastatic.
Open the Black Salve pageMassagepracticeUnclear
Two cohort studies associated massage directly over an osteosarcoma site with negative survival outcomes, but both had critical risk of bias, so the evidence is not definitive.
Open the Massage pageCoffee EnemapracticeUnclear
An 11-person randomized trial in healthy participants stated that coffee enemas should not be used in people with colorectal cancer.
Open the Coffee Enema pageCupping TherapypracticeUnclear
Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy may be associated with thrombocytopenia, which can increase bleeding risk with cupping.
Open the Cupping Therapy pageTENS / EMS TherapypracticeUnclear
Electrodes should not be placed over a known or suspected tumor. TENS may be used for symptom relief at sites away from the tumor when medically supervised and appropriate.
Open the TENS / EMS Therapy page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition23 listedHighest probability, strongest evidence
- →PracticesHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)CertaintyHighSourceMeta-analysis
Meta-analyses of randomized trials in people with cancer reported improved VO2max and, compared with MICT, improved relVO2PEAK; the latter analysis also reported improvements in walking distance and mobility.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Asthma
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Copd
- Coronary Artery Disease
- +9 more
Open High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Study result
Meta-analysis of RCTs in cancer patients where HIIT improved VO2max
Medium probability(9)(0)(9)
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyMediumSourceMeta-analysis
Pooled randomized trials in people with cancer found improved psychological flexibility and quality of life with ACT, while fatigue and sleep outcomes lacked evidence. In people with advanced cancer, pooled trials also found improvements in quality of life, anxiety, depression, psychological distress and fatigue, but not pain or psychological flexibility.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Obesity
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
Pooled RCTs in patients with cancer showed improved psychological flexibility and quality of life with ACT; fatigue and sleep outcomes lacked evidence.
- →PracticesMeditationCertaintyMediumSourceMeta-analysisLarge effect
Pooled overall effect g=−1.03 (95% CI −1.34 to −0.72) across 85 effect sizes from 45 RCTs (N=7395); significant reductions in depression (g=−0.92), anxiety (g=−1.06), and stress (g=−1.50)
How big is the effect
Large effectA big difference on average. Check how strong the evidence is.
Open MeditationWho was studied
- People with a condition
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyMediumSourceMeta-analysis
A meta-analysis of 55 randomized controlled trials in adults with cancer reported improvements in anxiety, depression, and spiritual and emotional well-being. A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found within-group stress reduction in a subgroup of people with cancer (Hedge's g −2.20, p=0.048).
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Anxiety Generalized
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Depression
- +9 more
Open YogaStudy result
Meta-analysis of 55 RCTs in adults with cancer reporting improvements in anxiety, depression, spiritual and emotional well-being.
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyMediumSourceRCTModerate effect
A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found improved health-related quality of life (SMD=0.71, 95% CrI 0.37-1.06, P-score=0.92). Another pooled analysis of 74 RCTs involving 4,654 patients reported improvements in insulin, leptin, HOMA index, triglycerides, CRP, and total cholesterol.
How big is the effect
Moderate effectA clear difference on average.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
Open CardioStudy result
AE ranked first for HRQoL (SMD=0.71, 95% CrI 0.37-1.06, P-score=0.92), moderate certainty
- →PracticesMassageCertaintyMediumSourceRCTLarge effect
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded reported a reduction in cancer-related pain with non-pharmacological nursing strategies that included massage therapy (SMD −0.1, p<0.001, I²=0%); the reported effect was classified as trivial.
How big is the effect
Large effectA big difference on average. Check how strong the evidence is.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Cancer
Open MassageStudy result
Meta-analysis of 17 RCTs (n=1,070) showing significant pain reduction with non-pharmacological nursing strategies including massage therapy (SMD −0.1, p<0.001, I²=0%)
- →PracticesPsychotherapyCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
A pooled analysis of seven randomized trials found improved sexual function and sexual quality of life in women with gynecologic cancer or undergoing gynecologic surgery; certainty was rated low by GRADE. A separate review reported improvements in quality of life, self-esteem, spirituality, post-traumatic growth and social outcomes across adults with various cancer types and stages, but all included studies had high risk of bias.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Open PsychotherapyStudy result
Pooled meta-analysis of seven RCTs showed improved overall sexual function and sexual quality of life versus control in women with gynecologic cancer or undergoing gynecologic surgery; certainty rated low by GRADE.
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyMediumSourceRCTModerate effect
A network meta-analysis of randomized trials in cancer survivors found benefits for pain and quality of life compared with control. Other pooled trials enrolled women with breast cancer and reported quality-of-life, depression, and anxiety outcomes.
How big is the effect
Moderate effectA clear difference on average.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Breast Cancer
- Burnout
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Cervical Pain
- Colon Cancer
- +13 more
Open QigongStudy result
Network meta-analysis of 71 RCTs in cancer survivors showing benefit of Taichi/Qigong for pain and quality of life versus control.
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyMediumSourceClinical
A review reported reduced fatigue and anxiety and improved quality of life in people with cancer. For cancer survivors, reported pain benefits were limited to some approaches, including slow pursed lip breathing and slow deep breathing; other approaches had mixed or null findings.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Copd
- Depression
- Heart Disease
- Hypertension
Open BreathworkStudy result
Studies show reduced fatigue, anxiety, improved QOL, and increased NK cells.
Low probability(11)(0)(11)
- →PracticesDanceCertaintyLowSourceRCT
Dance/movement interventions were reported to improve depression and fatigue in people with cancer, although the evidence was described as weak and inconsistent. In another pooled analysis, only the patient-reported physical health outcome reached significance; most pooled physical symptom outcomes, including fatigue, were non-significant.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Cancer
- Depression
Open DanceStudy result
DMI trials showed improvement in depression and fatigue in cancer patients; evidence described as weak and inconsistent.
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyLowSourceRCTSmall effect
A pooled analysis of randomized trials found reductions in psychological symptoms among adults with cancer, with evidence concentrated in breast cancer and substantial variation across studies. Other pooled analyses whose designs were not recorded found post-intervention improvement that was smaller at 1–6 month follow-up, while a separate pooled analysis did not find statistically significant effects on distress, anxiety, fatigue, or emotional regulation; findings therefore differ.
How big is the effect
Small effectA small but noticeable difference on average.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Menopause
- Organ Transplant
Open Mindfulness MeditationStudy result
Pooled RCT meta-analysis showing reductions in psychological symptoms in adults with cancer, with heterogeneity and evidence concentrated in breast cancer.
- →PracticesAnusara YogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A systematic review reported that Yoga therapy improved stress, fatigue, sleep quality, and related outcomes in children undergoing cancer treatment.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Open Anusara YogaStudy result
Systematic review abstract reports yoga therapy improved stress, fatigue, sleep quality, and related outcomes in children undergoing cancer treatment; no effect sizes or primary-study details reported.
- →PracticesBrisk WalkingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In a 2025 quasi-experimental study of 27 people with Cancer, fatigue severity decreased over time, but the decrease was not directly attributable to the walking intervention. Increases in muscle strength, physical activity, and sleep quality, along with decreases in muscle relaxation times and psychological distress, were associated with reduced fatigue.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Open Brisk WalkingStudy result
Clinically relevant decrease in fatigue severity over time, though not directly attributable to the walking intervention. Increases in muscle strength, physical activity, sleep quality, and decreases in muscle relaxation times and psychological distress were associated with reductions in fatigue.
- →PracticesExpressive WritingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In patients with HNC receiving radiotherapy, a trial found improvements in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. A separate trial in cancer survivors selected for psychological well-being support found improved depression and anxiety compared with usual care.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Open Expressive WritingStudy result
RCT showing improvements in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in HNC patients during radiotherapy.
- →PracticesGardening TherapyCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A 2023 meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported increased vegetable and fruit consumption and reduced waist circumference among cancer survivors.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Alzheimers Disease
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Depression
- Frailty
- Stroke
Open Gardening TherapyStudy result
Studies on cancer survivors showed increased vegetable/fruit consumption and reduced waist circumference with HT.
- →PracticesGratitude JournalCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In a randomized trial involving 92 patients with advanced Cancer (General), suffering, HADS and FACIT-Sp improved in the intervention group.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Open Gratitude JournalStudy result
Suffering, HADS and FACIT-Sp improved in the intervention group in patients with advanced cancer.
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A review of 10 studies, mostly involving people with breast cancer, judged the evidence insufficient to establish benefit. For cancer-related fatigue, a meta-analysis of randomized trials found a small effect (SMD 0.20), and its authors described yoga’s effectiveness as limited.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Asthma
- Breast Cancer
- Cancer
- Dialysis
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- +1 more
Open Hatha YogaStudy result
Systematic review of 10 yoga studies in cancer populations, mostly breast cancer; evidence judged insufficient for benefit.
- →PracticesHot BathCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A cohort of 146 patients with terminal cancer in palliative care wards linked bathing with symptom relief. A separate cohort of 15,927 found no association between tub-bathing frequency or temperature and breast cancer risk; these findings address different outcomes.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Cancer
Open Hot BathStudy result
Patients with terminal cancer in palliative care wards were the study population; bathing was associated with symptom relief in this group.
- →PracticesNasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)CertaintyLowSourceClinical
A review of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported improved quality of life with nasal irrigation after radiotherapy.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
- Intellectual Disability
Open Nasal Irrigation (Neti Pot)Study result
Studies show improved quality of life with nasal irrigation after radiotherapy.
- →PracticesSwedish (Classic) MassageCertaintyLowSourceClinical
An RCT involving 70 people found reductions in nausea and in the severity and frequency of vomiting during cancer care, but vomiting incidence did not differ significantly. A pilot crossover RCT involving 18 people also reported within-group improvements in pain and mood.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Open Swedish (Classic) MassageStudy result
RCT showing significant reductions in nausea incidence, severity, duration, frequency, and vomiting severity/frequency, though vomiting incidence was not significantly different.
Very low probability(2)(2)(0)
- →SupplementsTurkey TailCertaintyVery lowSourceReference knowledge
Used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy (especially gastric, colorectal, and lung cancers) to improve immune function and survival outcomes.
- →SupplementsChagaCertaintyVery lowSourceAnimal research
This study investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of Inonotus obliquus (IOAE) against diethyl-nitrosamine/carbon tetrachloride (DEN/CCl 4 ) induced HCC in mice
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worse5 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesBlack SalveCertaintyHighSourceClinical
A 2023 case series reported cancer persistence in 28.8% after treatment, including cancers that may have been metastatic.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Study result
High rates of cancer persistence (28.8%) after black salve treatment, including potentially metastatic cancers.
Open Black SalveRationale
High rates of cancer persistence (28.8%) after black salve treatment, including potentially metastatic cancers.
Low probability(4)
- →PracticesMassageCertaintyLowSourceRCT
Two cohort studies associated massage directly over an osteosarcoma site with negative survival outcomes, but both had critical risk of bias, so the evidence is not definitive.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Cancer
Study result
Two critical-risk-of-bias cohort studies associated massage over the osteosarcoma site with negative survival outcomes; the authors discourage massage directly on tumour, though definitive evidence is lacking.
Open MassageRationale
Two critical-risk-of-bias cohort studies associated massage over the osteosarcoma site with negative survival outcomes; the authors discourage massage directly on tumour, though definitive evidence is lacking.
- →PracticesCoffee EnemaCertaintyLowSourceClinical
An 11-person randomized trial in healthy participants stated that coffee enemas should not be used in people with colorectal cancer.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Study result
Exclusion criteria and discussion state that coffee enema should not be performed in patients with colorectal cancer.
Open Coffee EnemaRationale
Exclusion criteria and discussion state that coffee enema should not be performed in patients with colorectal cancer.
- →PracticesCupping TherapyCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy may be associated with thrombocytopenia, which can increase bleeding risk with cupping.
Open Cupping TherapyRationale
Cupping may increase bleeding risk in patients with thrombocytopenia, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.
- →PracticesTENS / EMS TherapyCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
Electrodes should not be placed over a known or suspected tumor. TENS may be used for symptom relief at sites away from the tumor when medically supervised and appropriate.
Open TENS / EMS TherapyRationale
Do not place electrodes over a known or suspected tumor. TENS may still be used for medically supervised symptom relief at sites away from the tumor when appropriate.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Cancer (General) is a broad reference category within oncology, not a description of one specific cancer type, stage, symptom pattern, or treatment plan. Findings associated with this category may not apply uniformly across all cancers or people. Medical decisions about cancer should be discussed with a clinician.
Evidence-backed options
The options associated with Cancer (General) have been studied in very different settings, so their findings should not be treated as interchangeable. Research has involved Astragalus-containing TCM combined with PBC for AGC, ginger for acute and delayed CINV in breast cancer patients, garlic supplementation in relation to GC mortality, and BCAA after gastric cancer surgery. Other findings concern particular cancer types or biological markers, including liver cancer, HCC, kidney cancer, and oral cancer.
Exact doses, formulations, treatment durations, and the time to any observed effect are not specified for most of these options. One exception is the BCAA finding, which describes a five-day early postoperative intervention and outcomes assessed at 7 days and 1 month. This does not establish how quickly BCAA produced an effect, and the finding reported no significant suppression at 7 days while describing potential at 1 month.
The strength and directness of the evidence vary substantially. Some findings come from randomized controlled trials or clinical research, while others are based on reviews, animal studies, or theoretical work. The findings for Green Tea Extract (EGCG), CBD (Cannabidiol), and Cordyceps are not direct evidence in people with cancer, and findings involving specific cancers do not necessarily apply to every cancer. Curcumin findings specifically state that there is no solid scientific basis for advertising its use in tumor patients. These options require careful interpretation with a clinician, particularly because cancer type, treatment context, and individual health status may change how relevant a finding is.
What to avoid
TENS / EMS Therapy is flagged because electrodes should not be placed over a known or suspected tumor. TENS may still be used for medically supervised symptom relief at sites away from the tumor when appropriate, so the concern depends on where it is applied and whether this use is clinically supervised.
Vitamin B9 (Folate) and Hyaluronic Acid raise a different concern related to tumor biology. High-dose folate may theoretically support tumor cell proliferation in active malignancy, while Hyaluronic Acid can promote angiogenesis and cell proliferation in the tumor microenvironment. The concern for Hyaluronic Acid is theoretical and relates to possible active malignancy progression.
Use of Vitamin B9 (Folate) in this context requires oncologist supervision. Because the relevance of these concerns can depend on the cancer and treatment context, anyone with cancer should discuss these options with an oncologist or other clinician before use.