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Find out the basics about cancer, including symptoms, causes and treatments. Learn steps you can take to prevent cancer.

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Cancer prevention: Top 5 cancer-causing chemicals to avoid for cancer prevention

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Cancer-causing chemicals can lurk in almost any everyday product you can imagine: candy, toys, clothes, hair dyes, pet food and more. Reducing your exposure to items that have potentially harmful ingredients is a great way to safeguard your health.

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Most cancers can be prevented.This is a key message for a disease that is the public's number one health fear (1, 2). Unfortunately, most people remain unclear about the key steps they can take to lower their risk (3). And that's really not surprising, given the crush of cancer studies and media coverage that we come across week in and week out. It's enough to confuse even some experts.

The good news, though, is that when all this evidence is looked at together, eight simple tips rise to the surface. These include things like, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco. And while there are additional steps on top of these that can reduce the risk of some individual cancers (see Twelve Preventable Cancers), these eight behaviors provide the greatest benefit for the most cancers and can also go a long way toward preventing other serious chronic diseases, like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

It's almost never too early to help our kids and grandkids build lifelong healthy habits, and it's almost never too late for adults to start (4, 5).

Also see preventing cancer with the HPV vaccine.

1. Don't smoke

In the United States, smoking causes approximately 30 percent of all cancers and 90 percent of lung cancers. About half of all smokers will die from a smoking-related disease, like cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease. Globally, tobacco causes just over five million deaths a year (6) and is projected to cause 1 billion deaths worldwide by the end of the century (6).

Linked primarily in the public's mind with lung cancer, smoking and use of smokeless tobacco is an established risk factor for at least 14 other cancers, including cancer of the head and neck, bladder, breast, kidney, cervix, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, colon, rectum, and blood (certain leukemias).

The single best way to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases is not to smoke. In the United States alone, over 160,000 cancer deaths could be avoided each year if tobacco were somehow miraculously eliminated from the earth (7)

Preventing teens and young adults from taking up smoking provides the biggest health benefits, yet despite stepped up efforts to prevent tobacco use, approximately 18 percent of adults in the United States still smoke (7). Because of this, efforts to get smokers to stop smoking (cessation) have become increasingly common as well, yet only a small percentage of those trying to quit seek effective treatments that can help them stop (8). Despite this, cessation has huge benefits. Within two years of quitting, the risk of many smoking-related diseases begin to drop, and after 10 - 20 years, the risk of lung cancer and most other tobacco-related diseases nearly equals that of non-smokers.

A relatively new addition to the smoking discussion are electronic cigarettes, which are growing immensely in popularity and are often marketed as a safer alternative to standard tobacco cigarettes and as a tool for quitting smoking. These battery-powered devices go by many different names - including e-cigs, vape pens, personal vaporizers, and hookah pens - and work by aerosolizing a nicotine-containing liquid that is then inhaled. Though on the face of it electronic cigarettes would appear to be safer than standard tobacco cigarettes, there are many unknown questions about their risks and benefits. Until those questions are answered, avoiding electronic cigarettes is best. Smokers looking for help quitting should talk to a doctor about FDA-approved cessation aids, like gum, lozenges, patches, and certain medications.

2. Maintain a healthy weight

Although weight is one of the most important risk factors for cancer, recent surveys by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Society for Clinical Oncology found that around half of people are unaware of the link (3, 9). Very good evidence, though, suggests that maintaining a healthy weight and adopting other healthy lifestyle habits could prevent nearly half of deaths due to cancer (10).

Carrying extra weight, particularly being obese (defined as BMI greater than or equal to 30) ( BMI calculator), has been strongly linked to an increased risk of cancers of the breast (after menopause), colon, kidney, pancreas, esophagus (adenocarcinoma), ovaries, and prostate. And there is growing evidence that obesity also increases the risk of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the liver and gallbladder.

The way weight increases cancer risk varies from cancer to cancer. For example, estrogen produced by fat cells likely increases risk of postmenopausal breast cancer; blood sugar and insulin problems linked to being overweight likely increases risk of colon and pancreatic cancer; and weight-related irritations caused by gallstones and acid reflux likely increase the risk of cancers of the gallbladder and esophagus, respectively.

The now well-known and disturbing trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States predict a growing burden of not only weight-related cancers but also heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have significantly increased across the nation. In 2000, no state had a rate of obesity of 30 percent or higher (11). Today, 12 states do. And close to 70 percent of the US population is either overweight (BMI 25 - 29.9) or obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30)(12). Such trends, while most pronounced in the United States, are being expressed worldwide as well, pointing to a huge future global burden from weight-related diseases.

Such numbers demonstrate the need to continue and accelerate weight control efforts that cut across many different parts of society - schools, workplaces, communities, and even social media. There is a suggestion that such concerted efforts are beginning to have a positive effect in certain groups of children (13). Such progress, though, is just a start and needs to be used to energize further efforts that will have a much broader impact for all.

3. Exercise regularly

The health benefits of regular physical activity are well known. In addition to lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure, it also helps prevent cancer. Overall, in the United States, it's estimated that five percent of cancers are linked to lack of regular exercise, which is largely accounted for through the link with two common cancers, breast cancer and colon cancer (14, 15).

For breast cancer, regular exercise lowers risk for both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Getting out regularly to, say, walk or ride the bike likely lowers risk through multiple ways. It can improve immune function, which helps the body fight off infections linked to cancer. It can help maintain healthy levels of hormones (like estrogen and progesterone) in the blood. And it can help women keep their weight in check.

Growing evidence shows that the earlier regular exercise starts in life, the better it is when it comes to later adult breast cancer risk (16). The time between when a girl starts her period and has her first child is key to the growth and development of the breasts. During this time, breast tissue seems more susceptible to harmful risk factors, which provides an important opportunity to lower adult breast cancer risk by eating a healthy diet, being physically, and staying at a healthy weight.

For colon cancer, the main mechanism seems to be that exercise can help control insulin levels, which can keep in check certain hormones and growth factors that can promote cancer in colon tissue.

For all its benefits, activity is not the preferred pastime of most people in the United States. Over 50 percent of the population doesn't get the recommended amount of activity each week - either 30 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking) five or more days per week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity (like running) three or more days per week (12). Approximately 30 percent of men and 34 percent of women get very little - or almost no - physical activity during their leisure time (17).

And good evidence now even suggests that regularly being sedentary for long periods - even if you get recommended amounts of exercise - may increase the risk of breast, endometrial, and lung cancers (18). So, in addition to working toward exercise goals, it's also important to limit the number of hours spent sitting each day.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet is key to overall health and can help lower the risk of many cancers. While news coverage of the links between diet and cancer have been confusing at best, and misleading at worst, there is solid evidence that the way we eat has a real impact on cancer risk. Perhaps surprisingly, it's not fat or meat, or fruits and vegetables that is the most important part of diet when it comes to cancer risk; it's simply calories (19). Keeping calories in check, so weight stays in check, is the single most important change in diet people can make. Outside of calories, good evidence shows that a risk-reducing diet is: largely plant based (with a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains); low in animal products (like animal fat, red meat, and processed meat); low in sodium; and, for men, not too high in calcium (less than 1500mg/day) (20, 21).

A daily multivitamin with folate can provide a nutrition insurance policy as well as added protection against certain cancers and other chronic diseases (21-23). Folate is a B vitamin that has been shown to lower the risk of colon cancer, as well as breast cancer, in women who regularly drink alcohol. The calcium and vitamin D in most multivitamins may also help provide added protection against colon cancer (21, 24).

5. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all

Alcohol has a complex role in health. While studies consistently show that drinking even a small amount of alcohol (less than one drink/day) can raise the risk of two common cancers (breast and colon), there's also very good evidence that moderate consumption can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults (21). Balancing these risks and benefits is key. Although the benefits of moderate intake in older adults are well established, the cancer risk and potential for alcohol dependence means that non-drinkers should not be encouraged to start drinking. Most adults who already drink moderately, though, don't need to stop. All heavy drinkers, though, should be encouraged to cut back to moderate levels, or stop altogether.

Growing evidence strongly suggests that drinking in youth and young adulthood has a particularly important impact on later adult breast cancer risk (25). Youth should completely avoid alcohol. Ideally, young adult women should as well; at a minimum, though, if they do drink, they should do so at moderate or lower levels - and avoid binge drinking.

For both breast cancer and colon cancer, alcohol likely increases risk by lowering levels of folate in the body, though there are other possible reasons. Folate has been shown in some studies to protect against cancer. The lower levels caused by alcohol may therefore increase risk. Evidence, though, suggests that taking a folate supplement (like a multivitamin) may help eliminate some of the cancer risk linked to alcohol (26-28).

6. Protect yourself from the sun. And avoid tanning beds

Too much sun exposure is a well-known cause of skin cancer, including serious melanoma. With melanoma rates rising steadily from year to year both in the United States and worldwide, proper sun protection is a key public health message. Yet in the United States, an increasing number of people are experiencing severe sun exposure. The percent of the population reporting a sun burn over the past year is rising, with a third reporting at least one sunburn, and about 20 percent reporting four or more (29).

Tanning bed use is also an important concern, particular in youth and young adults. The International Association for Research on Cancer labels indoor tanning carcinogenic to humans, and the increasing use of indoor tanning closely mimics the rise seen in melanoma rates. One analysis that looked at the results from multiple studies found that any level of use of tanning beds increased the risk of melanoma by around 20 percent (30). If use began before age 35, risk increased even more - by 90 percent.

To lower the risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer take these steps: never use tanning beds; avoid the sun as much as possible during peak burning hours (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.); wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats; properly apply (and re-apply when needed) broad-spectrum sun screen; help kids with sun-protection and be a good role model for them.

7. Protect yourself from infections

Although not well known by the general public, infections play an important role in the development of some cancers. Approximately 23 percent of all cancers in lower income countries are linked to infections. In higher income countries, this number is seven percent. In North America, it is four percent (31).

Certain infections can either directly or indirectly cause changes that can lead to cancer. This can happen because of the chronic inflammation that some infections cause or by an infectious agent (like a virus) changing the behavior of infected cells. Infections that compromise the immune system (like HIV) also increase cancer risk by making the body less able to defend against infections that can cause cancer.

Not surprisingly, infection-associated cancers are not a health burden borne equally by all. The poor living conditions and inadequate health care experienced by many people worldwide increase the likelihood of cancer resulting from chronic infections.

There are at least ten infectious agents that are known to increase the risk of cancer (see table), and several of them are quite common. Yet, in most instances, only a small proportion of those infected actually go on to develop cancer because it takes a unique set of factors along with the infection to turn normal cells cancerous.

Still, these infectious agents have a substantial impact on cancer worldwide. Of particular importance are human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C viruses, and Helicobacter pylori. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that is linked to numerous cancers, with cervical cancer being the most important. It's estimated that almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. Hepatitis B and C infect the liver and together account for the large majority of liver cancer. Finally, Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that infects the stomach, has been estimated to cause upwards of 75 percent of all stomach cancers, the fourth most common cancer worldwide.

The promise of prevention is a bright spot when looking at the reach of infection-associated cancers. HPV vaccination of both girls and boys can prevent cervical cancer as well as penile, anal, and throat cancers. The hepatitis B vaccine - which is growing in use - can prevent liver cancer. Treatment of Helicobactor pylori likely reduces stomach cancer risk. And improved screening for and treatment of Hepatitis C may lower liver cancer risk.

Outside of vaccination and treatment, individuals can also lower the risk of infection-linked cancers by taking steps like avoiding blood exposure (by not sharing needles, for example), practicing safer sex and, for women, getting regular Pap tests and possibly HPV tests.

Further advances in vaccines - and in programs that administer them - offer much hope for prevention.

8. Get screening tests regularly

Having cancer screening tests at regular intervals is the single best way to protect against cancer. Not only can screening tests find cancers early when they're most treatable, in the case of colon and cervical cancer they can actually help prevent the disease.

Screening tests for colon cancer help prevent cancer by finding and removing adenomatous polyps, which are abnormal growths that can go on to become cancer. Regular screening with sigmoidoscopy, for example, has been shown to cut the risk of dying from colon cancer by 30 to 50 percent; fecal occult blood tests can cut colon cancer mortality by up to a quarter (32, 33). And observational studies show that colonoscopy can cut the risk of colon cancer mortality by over half. Yet, a third of people in the United States who are age-eligible for colon cancer screening are still missing recommended tests (12, 34).

Rates of screening are much better for the Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer. Close to 80 percent of the age-eligible women in the United States have had a Pap test within the last three years (12). Pap tests help find abnormal changes in the cells lining the cervix, which could go on to be cancerous. The abnormal cells can then be treated or removed. The Pap test is a huge success story of public health. From the time it became widely used in the 1950's, rates of death from cervical cancer have dropped by over 70 percent in the United States and other developed nations.

A recent addition to cervical cancer screening is the human papillomavirus (HPV) test, which can be offered to women beginning at age 30 in addition to their regular Pap test. The tests detects whether a woman has an infection with a high-risk type of HPV that is strongly linked to cancer. Women with these high-risk types can then have additional follow-up tests to look for abnormal changes to cells in the cervix.

Outside of prevention, screening tests are key to finding cancer early when it is most treatable. Breast, cervical, and colon screening should be priorities for women. Colon screening should be a priority for men. Current or past heavy smokers between ages 55 and 74 should talk with a doctor about the potential benefits and harms of lung cancer screening with low-dose CT. In addition to the specific tests generally laid out below (see tables), the American Cancer Society recommends that doctors also perform occasional exams for signs of cancer of the thyroid, testicles, ovaries, lymph nodes, oral cavity, and skin (35). Those at increased risk for a specific cancer may need to begin screening earlier, and get screening tests more often, than is recommended for most people. For details on all recommended tests, click here.

References

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2. MetLife Foundation. What America Thinks: MetLife Foundation Alzheimer's Survey 2011. Available from: https://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/foundation/alzheimers-2011.pdf.

3. American Institute for Cancer Research. AICR 2015 Cancer Risk Awareness Survey Report 2015. Available from: http://www.aicr.org/cancer-research-update/2015/02_04/cru_New-Survey-Low-Awareness-of-Key-Cancer-Risk-Factors.html.

4. Sutcliffe S, Colditz GA. Prostate cancer: is it time to expand the research focus to early-life exposures? Nat Rev Cancer. 2013;13(3):208-518. doi: 10.1038/nrc3434. PubMed PMID: 23363989; PMCID: PMC3962783.

5. Colditz GA, Bohlke K, Berkey CS. Breast cancer risk accumulation starts early: prevention must also. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014;145(3):567-79. Epub 2014/05/14. doi: 10.1007/s10549-014-2993-8. PubMed PMID: 24820413; PMCID: 4079839.

6. World Health Organization. Global health risks : mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2009. vi, 62 p. p.

7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking-50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. In: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CfDCaP, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, editor. Atlanta, GA2014.

8. NIH State-of-the-Science Conference Statement on Tobacco Use: Prevention, Cessation, and Control. NIH Consens State Sci Statements. 2006;23(3):1-26. Epub 2007/03/03. doi: 2006-00029-STMT [pii]. PubMed PMID: 17332801.

9. American Society of Clinical Oncology. ASCO 2017 National Cancer Opinion Survey. Available from: https://www.asco.org/sites/new-www.asco.org/files/content-files/research-and-progress/documents/2017-ASCO-National-Cancer-Opinion-Survey-Results.pdf.

10. HJ, Kocarnik JM, Penberthy L, Aaili A, Abbas Q, Abbasi B, Abbasi-Kangevari M, Abbasi-Kangevari Z, Abbastabar M, Abd-Elsalam S, Abdelwahab AA, Abdoli G, Abdulkadir HA...Murray CJL. The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet. 2022; 400 (10352): 563-591, ISSN 0140-6736, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01438-6.

11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs: State-Specific Obesity Prevalence Among Adults - United States, 2009. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010;59(30):951-5.

12. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2012: With Special Feature on Emergency Care. Hyattsville, MD2013.

13. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JAMA. 2014;311(8):806-14. Epub 2014/02/27. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.732. PubMed PMID: 24570244.

14. Colditz GA, Wolin KY, Gehlert S. Applying what we know to accelerate cancer prevention. Science translational medicine. 2012;4(127):127rv4. Epub 2012/03/31. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003218. PubMed PMID: 22461645; PMCID: 3343638.

15. Wolin KY, Carson K, Colditz GA. Obesity and cancer. Oncologist. 2010;15(6):556-65. Epub 2010/05/29. doi: theoncologist.2009-0285 [pii] 10.1634/theoncologist.2009-0285. PubMed PMID: 20507889.

16. Maruti SS, Willett WC, Feskanich D, Rosner B, Colditz GA. A prospective study of age-specific physical activity and premenopausal breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100(10):728-37. Epub 2008/05/15. doi: djn135 [pii] 10.1093/jnci/djn135. PubMed PMID: 18477801.

17. Pleis JR, Ward BW, Lucas JW. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2009. National Center for Health Statistics; 2010.

18. Schmid D, Leitzmann MF. Television Viewing and Time Spent Sedentary in Relation to Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2014;106(7). Epub 2014/06/18. doi: 10.1093/jnci/dju098. PubMed PMID: 24935969.

19. Willett WC. Diet and cancer. Oncologist. 2000;5(5):393-404.

20. World Cancer Research Fund., American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer : a global perspective. Washington, DC: WCRF/AICR; 2007. xxv, 517 p. p.

21. Willett WC, Stampfer MJ. Current evidence on healthy eating. Annu Rev Public Health. 2013;34:77-95. Epub 2013/01/10. doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031811-124646. PubMed PMID: 23297654.

22. Fairfield KM, Fletcher RH. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: scientific review. JAMA. 2002;287(23):3116-26. Epub 2002/06/19. doi: jsr20000 [pii]. PubMed PMID: 12069675.

23. Fletcher RH, Fairfield KM. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: clinical applications. JAMA. 2002;287(23):3127-9. Epub 2002/06/19. doi: jsr20001 [pii]. PubMed PMID: 12069676.

24. Feldman D, Krishnan AV, Swami S, Giovannucci E, Feldman BJ. The role of vitamin D in reducing cancer risk and progression. Nat Rev Cancer. 2014;14(5):342-57. Epub 2014/04/08. doi: 10.1038/nrc3691. PubMed PMID: 24705652.

25. Liu Y, Colditz GA, Rosner B, Berkey CS, Collins LC, Schnitt SJ, Connolly JL, Chen WY, Willett WC, Tamimi RM. Alcohol intake between menarche and first pregnancy: a prospective study of breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013;105(20):1571-8. Epub 2013/08/30. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djt213. PubMed PMID: 23985142; PMCID: 3797023.

26. Linos E, Willett WC. Diet and breast cancer risk reduction. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2007;5(8):711-8. Epub 2007/10/12. PubMed PMID: 17927928.

27. Giovannucci E, Chen J, Smith-Warner SA, Rimm EB, Fuchs CS, Palomeque C, Willett WC, Hunter DJ. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, alcohol dehydrogenase, diet, and risk of colorectal adenomas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2003;12(10):970-9. Epub 2003/10/28. PubMed PMID: 14578131.

28. Giovannucci E. Epidemiologic studies of folate and colorectal neoplasia: a review. J Nutr. 2002;132(8 Suppl):2350S-5S. Epub 2002/08/07. PubMed PMID: 12163691.

29. Sunburn prevalence among adults-United States, 1999, 2003, and 2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2007;56(21):524-8. Epub 2007/06/01. doi: mm5621a2 [pii]. PubMed PMID: 17538527.

30. Boniol M, Autier P, Boyle P, Gandini S. Cutaneous melanoma attributable to sunbed use: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2012;345:e4757. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e4757. PubMed PMID: 22833605; PMCID: PMC3404185.

31. de Martel C, Ferlay J, Franceschi S, Vignat J, Bray F, Forman D, Plummer M. Global burden of cancers attributable to infections in 2008: a review and synthetic analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2012;13(6):607-15. Epub 2012/05/12. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70137-7. PubMed PMID: 22575588.

32. Tomeo CA, Colditz GA, Willett WC, Giovannucci E, Platz E, Rockhill B, Dart H, Hunter DJ. Harvard Report on Cancer Prevention. Volume 3: prevention of colon cancer in the United States. Cancer Causes Control. 1999;10(3):167-80.

33. Brenner H, Stock C, Hoffmeister M. Effect of screening sigmoidoscopy and screening colonoscopy on colorectal cancer incidence and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. BMJ. 2014;348:g2467. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g2467. PubMed PMID: 24922745; PMCID: PMC3980789.

34. Joseph DA, King JB, Miller JW, Richardson LC, Centers for Disease C, Prevention. Prevalence of colorectal cancer screening among adults-Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61 Suppl:51-6. Epub 2012/06/15. PubMed PMID: 22695464.

35. Smith RA, Manassaram-Baptiste D, Brooks D, Cokkinides V, Doroshenk M, Saslow D, Wender RC, Brawley OW. Cancer screening in the United States, 2014: a review of current American Cancer Society guidelines and current issues in cancer screening. CA Cancer J Clin. 2014;64(1):30-51. Epub 2014/01/11. doi: 10.3322/caac.21212. PubMed PMID: 24408568.

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Preventing Cancer - Siteman Cancer Center

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Most cancers can be prevented.This is a key message for a disease that is the public's number one health fear (1, 2). Unfortunately, most people remain unclear about the key steps they can take to lower their risk (3).

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Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to consider

Alternative cancer treatments can't cure your cancer, but they may provide some relief from signs and symptoms.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Many people with cancer are interested in trying anything that may help them, including complementary and alternative cancer treatments. But many alternative cancer treatments are unproved and some may even be dangerous.

To help you sort out the good from the bad, here are 11 alternative cancer treatments that are generally safe. Plus, there is growing evidence that these treatments may provide some benefit.

How can alternative medicine help people with cancer?

Alternative cancer treatments may not play a direct role in curing your cancer, but they may help you cope with signs and symptoms caused by cancer and cancer treatments, such as anxiety, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, difficulty sleeping, and stress.

Alternative medicine is a term that's commonly used to describe methods that aren't usually offered by health care providers. As researchers study these treatments and the evidence for these alternative methods grows, doctors and other providers are including them in treatment plans alongside the standard treatments. It's an approach that providers sometimes call integrative medicine.

Using these evidence-based integrative medicine approaches along with standard treatments may help relieve many symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. But alternative or integrative treatments generally aren't powerful enough to replace standard treatments entirely. Discuss your options with your provider to find the right balance.

If you're experiencing:

Then consider trying:

Anxiety

Hypnosis, massage, meditation, music therapy, relaxation techniques

Fatigue

Exercise, massage, relaxation techniques, yoga

Nausea and vomiting

Acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnosis, music therapy

Pain

Acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnosis, massage, music therapy

Sleep problems

Cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, relaxation techniques, yoga

Stress

Aromatherapy, exercise, hypnosis, massage, meditation, music therapy, tai chi, yoga

Which treatments are worth trying?

Talk to your provider if you're interested in trying:

Acupuncture. During acupuncture treatment, a practitioner inserts tiny needles into your skin at precise points. Studies show acupuncture may be helpful in relieving nausea caused by chemotherapy. Acupuncture may also help relieve certain types of pain in people with cancer.

Acupuncture is safe if it's performed by a licensed practitioner using sterile needles. Ask your provider for names of trusted practitioners. Acupuncture isn't safe if you're taking blood thinners or if you have low blood counts, so check with your provider first.

Acupressure is a related technique in which mild pressure is applied to certain areas, such as the wrist, to help relieve nausea.

Cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy. During a CBT session, a mental health counselor, such as a psychotherapist or a therapist, works with you to view challenging situations more clearly and respond in a more effective way.

For people with cancer, CBT may help with sleep problems. A CBT counselor or therapist might help you identify and replace thoughts and behaviors that cause or worsen sleep problems with habits that promote sound sleep.

Ask your health care provider for a referral to a specialist if you're interested in trying CBT.

Massage. During a massage, your practitioner kneads your skin, muscles and tendons in an effort to relieve muscle tension and stress and promote relaxation. Several massage methods exist. Massage can be light and gentle, or it can be deep with more pressure.

Studies have found that massage can be helpful in relieving pain in people with cancer. It may also help relieve anxiety, fatigue and stress.

Massage can be safe if you work with a knowledgeable massage therapist. Many cancer centers have massage therapists on staff, or your provider can refer you to a massage therapist who regularly works with people who have cancer.

Don't have a massage if your blood counts are very low. Ask the massage therapist to avoid massaging near surgical scars, radiation treatment areas or tumors. If you have cancer in your bones or other bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, ask the massage therapist to use light pressure, rather than deep massage.

Relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques are ways of focusing your attention on calming your mind and relaxing your muscles. Relaxation techniques might include activities such as visualization exercises or progressive muscle relaxation.

Relaxation techniques may be helpful in relieving anxiety and fatigue. They may also help people with cancer sleep better.

Relaxation techniques are safe. Typically a therapist leads you through these exercises and eventually you may be able to do them on your own or with the help of guided relaxation recordings.

Yoga. Yoga combines stretching exercises with deep breathing. During a yoga session, you position your body in various poses that require bending, twisting and stretching. There are many types of yoga, each with its own variations.

Yoga may provide some stress relief for people with cancer. Yoga has also been shown to improve sleep and reduce fatigue.

Before beginning a yoga class, ask your provider to recommend an instructor who regularly works with people with health concerns, such as cancer. Avoid yoga poses that cause pain. A good instructor can give you alternative poses that are safe for you.

You may find some treatments work well together. For instance, deep breathing during a massage may provide further stress relief.

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Show references

1. Deng GE, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: Complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009; doi:10.2310/7200.2009.0019.

2. Deng GE, et al. Complementary therapies and integrative medicine in lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (3rd edition). Chest. 2013; doi:10.1378/chest.12-2364.

3. Aromatherapy with essential oils (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/aromatherapy-pdq . Accessed Nov. 7, 2021.

4. Massage therapy: What you need to know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/massage-therapy-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed Nov. 7, 2021.

5. Adult cancer pain. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1413. Accessed Sept. 3, 2021.

6. Antiemesis. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1415. Accessed Sept. 3, 2021.

7. Cancer-related fatigue. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1424. Accessed Sept. 3, 2021.

8. AskMayoExpert. Acupuncture. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

9. AskMayoExpert. Aromatherapy. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

10. AskMayoExpert. Hypnotherapy. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

11. AskMayoExpert. Massage therapy. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

12. AskMayoExpert. Meditation. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

13. AskMayoExpert. Music therapy. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

14. AskMayoExpert. Tai chi. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

15. AskMayoExpert. Yoga. Mayo Clinic; 2021.

16. Greenlee H, et al. Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2017; doi:10.3322/caac.21397.

17. Deng G. Integrative medicine therapies for pain management in cancer patients. The Cancer Journal. 2019; doi:10.1097/PPO.0000000000000399.

18. Ma Y, et al. Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in breast cancer: A meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101376.

19. AskMayoExpert. Chronic insomnia (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2020.

See more In-depth

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11 alternative cancer treatments to consider

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Alternative cancer treatments may help you cope with cancer treatment side effects such as fatigue, pain, sleep problems, and nausea and vomiting.

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What are some words you associate with cancer? Chances are " chemotherapy " is one of the first that comes to mind. But chemo is not always the first course of treatment.

"These days, a cancer diagnosis doesn't have to mean chemo - and the nausea, vomiting and hair loss most people think of," says Susan Budds, NP, a nurse practitioner who specializes in cancer at Rush.

In fact, sometimes chemo takes a back seat to other treatments that may have milder side effects. Thanks to new treatments and advances in personalized care, oncologists are now better able to tailor cancer treatment to each individual patient and the type of cancer they have.

Treatment 1: Surgery

Surgery is an option for most cancers other than blood cancers, with specialized cancer surgeons attempting to remove all or most of a solid tumor. It is an especially effective treatment for early stage cancers that haven't spread to other parts of the body.

"While it depends on the size of the tumor and other factors, many patients with stage 1 cancers don't need any other treatment except for surgery," says Marta Batus, MD, a medical oncologist at Rush.

And surgery can play a role in cancer treatment even when a tumor has spread beyond its original site.

"Our options for treating cancer - even at later stages - have grown, and surgery is a big part of that," Budds says. "The role of surgery has expanded, and it's very encouraging."

Depending on the cancer and the stage, minimally invasive surgery may be an option. For example, thoracic surgeons at Rush often use video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive procedure, to remove early stage lung cancer tumors. VATS uses smaller incisions than open surgery and typically offers patients less pain, shorter hospital stays after surgery and fewer complications.

Treatment 2: Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, a relatively newer type of cancer treatment, uses medications to rev up the patient's own immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy treatments can work across different cancer types and may be effective in treating even the most advanced and hard-to-treat cancers.

Researchers continue to look into the potential of immunotherapy, but several effective, FDA-approved drugs are now commonly used to treat certain cancers.

"Immunotherapy has definitely opened up more options for a lot of patients, and it is now the frontline treatment for certain patients," Batus says. "Patients don't lose their hair. They don't have nausea or vomiting. Most of the time, they experience minimal side effects, if any."

Some patients, though, may experience side effects, depending on the drug administered and the type of cancer being treated.

Immunotherapies are administered through an IV infusion.

And immunotherapy gives some patients with late-stage cancers a treatment option they previously didn't have, sometimes allowing them to live longer than they would have been expected to live otherwise. For example, immunotherapy has redefined how doctors are treating melanoma, the most dangerous and deadly form of skin cancer. Five years ago, overall survival for a person diagnosed with metastatic melanoma (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) was about nine months. Today, thanks to combination immunotherapies, the majority of patients with metastatic melanoma are alive and doing well at least one year later - and many are living many years beyond that.

Treatment 3: Targeted therapies

Oncologists use targeted therapies, also known as precision medicine, to tailor medications for each individual patient and cancer. A tumor or blood sample is tested to identify a genetic profile. That allows clinicians to administer medication that targets the genes that are causing the cancer.

"There could be five or six gene processes that turn a cancer on or off," Budds says. "With genetic testing, we can find out which medicines to use and which ones not to use."

Medications, delivered in pill or IV form, either destroy cancer cells or stop the cancer from continuing to grow. Like immunotherapy, targeted therapies can be used at any stage: as a first treatment, to keep the cancer from coming back or if a cancer returns.

For instance, patients with breast cancer are typically tested to see if they carry the HER2 gene, which can play a role in causing breast cancer cells to grow. If a patient tests positive for HER2, oncologists at Rush use a medication or a combination of medications developed to target the gene, such as trastuzumab or pertuzumab. These medications help stop the growth of the cancer cells, often without harming healthy cells.

These days, a cancer diagnosis doesn't have to mean chemo - and the nausea, vomiting and hair loss most people think of.

Treatment 4: Active surveillance

Active surveillance (also called watchful waiting) may be all that's needed for certain types of cancers. Your doctor may recommend this approach if the cancer is at an early stage and is growing slowly or not at all.

For example, doctors often recommend active surveillance for prostate cancer, which tends to grow very slowly. Doctors monitor patients' prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with blood tests and monitor symptoms. If or when symptoms worsen or tests show that the cancer is growing more rapidly, they then begin discussing additional treatments.

"Often, patients who are receiving active surveillance have no symptoms and go on living their lives as usual," Batus says.

Surveillance may also be an option for patients who want a break from treatment side effects or for those who have exhausted all other treatment options.

Treatment 5: Supportive care

Supportive cancer care can be an effective complement to standard treatment, helping to minimize the physical and emotional stress of cancer treatment.

For example, psychotherapy and massage therapy can help ease patients' anxiety as they cope with a diagnosis; acupuncture can be beneficial for pain relief; and nutrition counseling can keep a patient from losing too much weight during treatment and keeping their body as healthy as possible.

Other types of integrative medicine include the following:

* Aromatherapy
* Fitness classes
* Hypnosis
* Mindfulness meditation

"Anything you can do to keep a patient mentally and physically well while they handle the stress of having cancer is beneficial," Budds says. "It's just one of the growing set of tools we have to help our patients deal with cancer. We've come a long way in recent years."

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5 Cancer Treatments That Aren't Chemotherapy

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What are some words you associate with cancer? Chances are " chemotherapy " is one of the first that comes to mind. But chemo is not always the first course of treatment. "These days, a cancer diagnosis doesn't have to mean chemo - and the nausea, vomiting and hair loss most people think of," says Susan Budds, NP, a nurse practitioner who specializes in cancer at Rush.

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36 foods that may help lower your cancer risk

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Looking for a list of cancer fighting foods to add to your grocery list? Our expert says you can reduce – but not eliminate – your cancer risk by focusing on plants and making healthy food choices.

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Overview

What is cancer?

Cancer is a large group of diseases with one thing in common: They all happen when normal cells become cancerous cells that multiply and spread.

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S. But fewer people are dying of cancer now than 20 years ago. Early detection and innovative treatments are curing cancer and helping people with cancer live longer. At the same time, medical researchers are identifying independent risk factors linked to developing cancer to help prevent people from developing cancer.

What is the difference between a normal cell and a cancerous cell?

Normally, cells follow instructions provided by genes. Genes set down rules for cells to follow, such as when to start and stop growing. Cancerous cells ignore the rules that normal cells follow:

Normal cells divide and multiply in a controlled manner. Cancerous cells multiply uncontrollably.

Normal cells are programmed to die (apoptosis). Cancerous cells ignore those directions.

Normal cells for solid organs stay put. All cancerous cells are able to move around.

Normal cells don't grow as fast as cancerous cells.

How does cancer start in your body?

Cancer starts when a gene or several genes mutate and create cancerous cells. These cells create cancer clusters, or tumors. Cancerous cells may break away from tumors, using your lymphatic system or bloodstream to travel to other areas of your body. (Healthcare providers call this metastasis.)

For example, a tumor in your breast may spread to your lungs, making it hard for you to breathe. In some types of blood cancer, abnormal cells in your bone marrow make abnormal blood cells that multiply uncontrollably. Eventually, the abnormal cells crowd out normal blood cells.

How common is cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 2 men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and 1 in 3 women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) will develop cancer. As of 2019, more than 16.9 million people in the U.S. were living with cancer. The most common cancers in the United States are:

Who's affected by cancer?

Almost anyone may develop cancer, but data show cancer cases vary based on race and sex. According to the 2022 Annual Report on Cancer, the disease:

Affects slightly more men and people AMAB than women and people AFAB.

Affects more Black men (AMAB) than people in other racial groups.

Affects more women (AFAB) who are American Indian or Alaska natives than people in other racial groups.

Almost anyone may develop cancer, but it typically affects people aged 60 and older.

Symptoms and Causes

What are cancer symptoms?

Cancer is a complicated disease. You can have cancer for years without developing symptoms. Other times, cancer may cause noticeable symptoms that get worse very quickly. Many cancer symptoms resemble other, less serious illnesses. Having certain symptoms doesn't mean you have cancer. In general, you should talk to a healthcare provider anytime there's a change in your body that lasts for more than two weeks.

First symptoms of cancer

Some common early cancer symptoms include:

Left untreated, cancer may cause additional symptoms, including:

Bruising or bleeding more easily.

Lumps or bumps under your skin that don't go away.

Difficulty breathing.

Difficulty swallowing.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is a genetic disorder. It happens when genes that manage cell activity mutate and create abnormal cells that divide and multiply, eventually disrupting how your body works.

Medical researchers estimate 5% to 12% of all cancers are caused by inherited genetic mutations that you can't control.

More frequently, cancer happens as an acquired genetic mutation. Acquired genetic mutations happen over the course of your life. Medical researchers have identified several risk factors that increase your chance of developing cancer.

Cancer risk factors you can control

Smoking: Smoking cigarettes and cigars and using e-cigarettes increases your chance of developing lung, pancreatic, esophageal and oral cancer.

Diet: Eating high-fat or high-sugar foods can increase your risk for many types of cancer. You're also more vulnerable to disease if you don't get enough exercise.

Environment: Exposure to toxins in your environment - such as asbestos, pesticides and radon - can eventually lead to cancer.

Radiation exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Over-exposure to radiation treatment can also be a risk factor.

Hormone therapy: Women and people AFAB taking hormone replacement therapy may have an increased risk for breast cancer and endometrial cancer.

How can I reduce my risk of developing cancer?

You can reduce your risk by changing some of your lifestyle choices:

If you smoke or use tobacco, try to stop. Ask a healthcare provider about smoking cessation programs that can help you quit tobacco.

Follow a diet plan that's healthy for you. If you want help managing your weight, ask a healthcare provider about nutritional guidance and weight management programs.

Add exercise to your daily routine. Exercise may boost your immune system so it provides more protection against cancer.

Avoid toxins, including asbestos, radon and pesticides.

Protect yourself against sun damage.

Have regular cancer screenings.

Diagnosis and Tests

How do healthcare providers diagnose cancer?

Healthcare providers begin a cancer diagnosis by doing a comprehensive physical examination. They'll ask you to describe your symptoms. They may ask about your family medical history. They may also do the following tests:

Blood tests

Blood tests for cancer may include:

Complete blood count (CBC): A CBC test measures and counts your blood cells.

Tumor markers: Tumor markers are substances that cancer cells release or that your normal cells release in response to cancer cells.

Blood protein tests: Healthcare providers use a process called electrophoresis to measure immunoglobulins. Your immune system reacts to certain cancers by releasing immunoglobulins.

Circulating tumor cell tests: Cancerous tumors may shed cells. Tracking tumor cells helps healthcare providers monitor cancer activity.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests may include:

Biopsies

A biopsy is a procedure healthcare providers do to obtain cells, tissue, fluid or growths that they'll examine under a microscope. There are several kinds of biopsies:

Needle biopsy: This test may be called a fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy. Healthcare providers use a thin hollow needle and syringe to extract cells, fluid or tissue from suspicious lumps. Needle biopsies are often done to help diagnose breast cancer, thyroid cancer or cancer in your lymph nodes.

Skin biopsy: Healthcare providers remove a small sample of your skin to diagnose skin cancer.

Bone marrow biopsy: Healthcare providers remove a small sample of bone marrow so they can test the sample for signs of disease, including cancer in your bone marrow.

Endoscopic or laparoscopic biopsy: These biopsies use an endoscope or laparoscope to see the inside of your body. With both of these methods, a small cut is made in your skin and an instrument is inserted. An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the tip, along with a cutting tool to remove your sample. A laparoscope is a slightly different scope.

Excisional or incisional biopsy: For these open biopsies, a surgeon cuts into your body and either the entire tumor is removed (excisional biopsy) or a part of the tumor is removed (incisional biopsy) to test or treat it.

Perioperative biopsy: This test may be called a frozen section biopsy. This biopsy is done while you're having another procedure. Your tissue will be removed and tested right away. Results will come in soon after the procedure, so if you need treatment, it can start immediately.

Genetic testing

Cancer may happen when a single gene mutates or several genes that work together mutate. Researchers have identified more than 400 genes associated with cancer development. People who inherit these genes from their biological parents may have an increased risk of developing cancer. Healthcare providers may recommend genetic testing for cancer if you have an inherited form of cancer. They may also do genetic testing to do therapy that targets specific cancer genes. They use test results to develop a diagnosis. They'll assign a number or stage to your diagnosis. The higher the number, the more cancer has spread.

How is cancer stage determined?

Healthcare providers use cancer staging systems to plan treatment and develop a prognosis or expected outcome. TNM is the most widely used cancer staging system. T stands for primary tumor. N stands for lymph nodes and indicates whether a tumor has spread to your lymph nodes. M stands for metastasis, when cancer spreads.

What are the four stages of cancer?

Most cancers have four stages. The specific stage is determined by a few different factors, including the tumor's size and location:

Stage I: The cancer is localized to a small area and hasn't spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.

Stage II: The cancer has grown, but it hasn't spread.

Stage III: The cancer has grown larger and has possibly spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.

Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other organs or areas of your body. This stage is also referred to as metastatic or advanced cancer.

Though stages one through four are the most common, there's also a Stage 0. This earliest phase describes cancer that's still localized to the area in which it started. Cancers that are still in Stage 0 are usually easily treatable and are considered pre-cancerous by most healthcare providers.

Management and Treatment

How do healthcare providers treat cancer?

Healthcare providers may use several different treatments, sometimes combining treatments based on your situation. Common cancer treatments include:

Chemotherapy:Chemotherapy is one of the most common cancer treatments. It uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells. You may receive chemotherapy in pill form or intravenously (through a needle into a vein). In some cases, providers may be able to direct chemotherapy to the specific area affected.

Radiation therapy:This treatment kills cancer cells with high dosages of radiation. Your healthcare provider may combine radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery:Cancerous tumors that haven't spread may be removed with surgery. Your healthcare provider may recommend therapy. This treatment combines surgery with chemotherapy or radiation to shrink a tumor before surgery or to kill cancer cells that may remain after surgery.

Hormone therapy:Sometimes, providers prescribe hormones that block other cancer-causing hormones. For example, men and people assigned male at birth who have prostate cancer might receive hormones to keep testosterone (which contributes to prostate cancer) lower than usual.

Biological response modifier therapy:This treatment stimulates your immune system and helps it perform more effectively. It does this by changing your body's natural processes.

Immunotherapy for cancer:Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that engages your immune system to fight the disease. The treatment may be called biological therapy.

Targeted therapy for cancer: Targeted therapy is a cancer treatment that targets the genetic changes or mutations that turn healthy cells into cancer cells.

Bone marrow transplant: Also called stem cell transplantation, this treatment replaces damaged stem cells with healthy ones. Autologous transplantation uses your supply of healthy stem cells. Allogeneic transplantation uses stem cells donated by another person.

What are cancer treatment side effects?

Healthcare providers work to balance the treatment so it destroys cancer without harmful or lasting side effects. Even so, all cancer treatments have side effects. Some treatments cause side effects that last for years after treatment is completed. Many people benefit from palliative care that eases cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. The most common cancer treatment side effects are:

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the prognosis/outlook for cancer?

Right now, more people are being cured of cancer or living longer with cancer. In general, people with cancer that were diagnosed and treated before it could spread have a good outlook.

But you're unique, and so is your cancer prognosis. Your healthcare providers will base your prognosis on factors such as:

Your overall health.

The type of cancer you have.

The stage of your cancer.

How you may respond to treatment.

Your overall health, the type of cancer that you have, its stage and how you respond to treatment all affect your prognosis.

Your healthcare provider is your best resource for prognosis information. They know your situation and they know you.

What are cancer survival rates?

Survival rates are estimates based on the experiences of large groups of people who have different kinds of cancer. Like prognoses, cancer survival rates vary based on cancer type, stage and treatment. According to the most recent data from the National Cancer Institute, 68% of people with any kind of cancer were alive five years after their diagnosis.

Living With

How do I live with cancer?

Self-care is an important part of living with cancer. Some self-care suggestions include:

Establish good eating and exercise habits. Ask to speak with a nutritionist for healthy menu ideas.

Fatigue is a common symptom and treatment side effect. Pay attention to your body and rest when you need to, not just when you can.

You may be living with cancer for a long time. That's good news, of course, but chronic illness may be challenging. Talking to a mental health professional or finding a support group may help you navigate challenges.

What is cancer survivorship?

If you have cancer, you are a cancer survivor. Cancer survivorship starts the day you receive a cancer diagnosis and continues for the rest of your life. As a cancer survivor, you're likely to experience many challenges or complications.

Cancer that comes back

Sometimes, cancer treatment doesn't eliminate all cancerous cells. Those cells can become new cancerous tumors. Cancer that comes back, or recurrent cancer, may appear at the same place as the original cancer, in nearby lymph nodes or spread to organs and tissues far away from the original site.

Second cancer

A second cancer is a new cancer. People who have second cancers may have cancer in the same organ or area of their body as the first cancer, but it's a different type of cancer from what it was before. They may also have cancer in different areas of their bodies. Second cancers are more common, as more people live longer with cancer.

Cancer fatigue

Cancer fatigue is an overwhelming sense of tiredness that isn't helped by getting more rest. Some people have chronic cancer fatigue that continues after they've finished treatment.

Cancer pain

Some cancer treatments have lasting side effects that may cause pain. One study found that 39% of people who completed cancer treatment had chronic pain. Peripheral neuropathy is an example of pain that may persist after treatment.

Chemotherapy brain fog

Chemotherapy brain fog (chemo brain) happens when cancer or cancer treatment affects your ability to remember or act on information. About 75% of people receiving cancer treatment tell their healthcare providers that they have issues with memory, concentration and their ability to complete tasks.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Talk to your healthcare provider about any issues you experience while you're undergoing cancer treatment. Call your oncology team if you notice:

A fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.33 degrees Celsius) or higher.

Severe headaches.

Chills.

Persistent cough.

Shortness of breath (dyspnea).

Sores on your lips or in your mouth.

Sudden weight loss greater than five pounds.

Excessive vomiting (three times an hour for three hours or more).

Blood in your urine (pee) or feces (poop).

Excessive bleeding or bruising.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

Knowledge is power. If you've been diagnosed with cancer, you'll want to gather as much information as you can. Here are some questions to ask your healthcare provider:

What type of cancer do I have?

Has the cancer spread to other areas of my body?

Is my cancer genetic?

What are my chances of survival?

Which treatments do you recommend?

What are the risks and benefits of my treatment?

How long will treatment take?

Will I be able to work during cancer treatment?

Will cancer treatment affect my fertility?

Will I need to stay in the hospital for my treatment?

Would a clinical trial be a good option for me?

A note from Cleveland Clinic
The words "you have cancer" may be one of the hardest things anyone has to hear. Learning you have cancer might make you feel frightened and overwhelmed. Many people feel as if they've lost control of their lives. Your healthcare providers understand all of those feelings. They know a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event. They also know cancer treatment is a stressful journey. If you have cancer, know your providers will be with you every step of the way.

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Cancer: Symptoms, Stages, Types & What It Is

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Cancer is a large group of diseases with one thing in common: They all happen when normal cells become cancerous cells that multiply and spread. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S. But fewer people are dying of cancer now than 20 years ago.

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There is no one single cause for cancer. Learn about the various possible causes, including risk factors and how genes affect cancer growth.

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Cancer Risk and Prevention | Cancer Causes | Stay Healthy

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Learn about the causes of cancer and what you can do to help reduce your cancer risk by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active, and not smoking.