Cancer is arguably the condition where the stakes of medical decision-making are highest — and where the tension between conventional and traditional medicine is most acute. It is critical to state clearly: there is no credible evidence that TCM can cure cancer. However, there is growing evidence that TCM modalities can play a valuable supportive role alongside conventional treatment, helping patients manage side effects, maintain quality of life, and potentially improve treatment outcomes.
Western Cancer Treatment: The Arsenal
Modern oncology has developed a powerful range of weapons against cancer:
- Surgery — physical removal of tumours remains the most effective treatment for solid cancers detected early.
- Chemotherapy — cytotoxic drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells. Highly effective against many cancers but causes significant side effects (nausea, fatigue, immunosuppression, neuropathy, hair loss).
- Radiation therapy — targeted energy beams that destroy cancer cells. Increasingly precise with technologies like proton therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
- Immunotherapy — drugs that unleash the patient's own immune system against cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., pembrolizumab) have transformed outcomes for melanoma, lung cancer, and other malignancies.
- Targeted therapy — drugs designed to block specific molecular pathways that drive tumour growth (e.g., imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia).
- Hormone therapy — used for hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and prostate cancer.
These treatments have dramatically improved cancer survival rates. The five-year survival rate for all cancers combined has risen from about 50% in the 1970s to nearly 70% today in developed countries.
TCM's Role: Supportive, Not Alternative
Fu Zheng Therapy: Strengthening the Body's Resistance
Fu Zheng ("supporting the upright") is a TCM treatment strategy that aims to strengthen the body's Qi, Blood, and immune function — the "terrain" — rather than directly attacking the tumour. Herbs commonly used in Fu Zheng therapy include astragalus (Huang Qi), ganoderma/reishi (Ling Zhi), codonopsis (Dang Shen), and atractylodes (Bai Zhu). Some studies suggest that certain Fu Zheng herbs may enhance immune cell activity, improve bone marrow recovery after chemotherapy, and reduce fatigue — though research quality varies.
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
This is where TCM evidence is strongest in the cancer context:
- Nausea and vomiting: Acupuncture at the PC6 (Neiguan) point has been shown in multiple RCTs to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea. ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) guidelines acknowledge acupuncture as a complementary antiemetic option.
- Fatigue: Cancer-related fatigue is the most common and debilitating side effect. Acupuncture and herbal formulas have shown moderate benefit in several clinical trials.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) has limited pharmaceutical treatment options. Acupuncture is being studied as a potential therapy, with early results showing promise.
- Immune support: Some Chinese herbs may help white blood cell counts recover faster after chemotherapy, potentially reducing infection risk and treatment delays.
Quality of Life
Multiple studies from integrative oncology centres show that cancer patients who use TCM alongside conventional treatment report better quality of life, improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and greater sense of agency in their care — psychological factors that may themselves influence outcomes.
TCM in Cancer Care
- Manages chemotherapy side effects (nausea, fatigue, neuropathy)
- Fu Zheng therapy supports immune function and recovery
- Improves quality of life and emotional well-being
- Addresses the whole patient, not just the tumour
- Used extensively in Chinese oncology hospitals alongside Western treatment
Western Cancer Treatment
- Directly targets and destroys cancer cells
- Surgery can cure early-stage solid tumours
- Immunotherapy has produced durable remissions in advanced cancers
- Precise molecular diagnostics guide treatment selection
- Rigorous clinical trials continuously improve protocols
Important Cautions
Integrating TCM with cancer treatment requires careful coordination:
- Herb-drug interactions: Some Chinese herbs can interfere with chemotherapy metabolism. St. John's Wort (not TCM, but an example) reduces the effectiveness of irinotecan. Patients must disclose all herbal use to their oncologist.
- Antioxidant concerns: Some researchers worry that antioxidant herbs taken during radiation or certain chemotherapies could theoretically protect cancer cells along with healthy ones. The evidence is inconclusive, but caution is warranted.
- Delaying conventional treatment: The greatest danger is patients who choose TCM instead of proven conventional treatment. Studies show that cancer patients who use alternative therapies exclusively have significantly worse survival rates.
How They Complement Each Other
The model pioneered by leading integrative oncology centres — Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, and numerous Chinese hospitals — demonstrates the ideal: Western medicine leads the attack on the tumour; TCM supports the patient through the battle. Conventional treatment handles what TCM cannot (destroying cancer cells), while TCM handles what conventional treatment often neglects (side effect management, immune support, quality of life, emotional care). This is not a compromise — it is the best of both systems working in concert.
Key Takeaway
TCM should not replace conventional cancer treatment, but it can be a valuable complement. The strongest evidence supports acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced nausea and fatigue, and herbal Fu Zheng therapy for immune support. Always coordinate TCM use with your oncology team to avoid interactions.