Complementary therapies for lung cancer

Evidence-based options to ease symptoms and improve wellbeing - always alongside your treatment.

Complementary vs Alternative: What’s the Difference?

Complementary therapies are things you can use alongside your lung cancer treatment to help with symptoms, side effects, or wellbeing.

Examples include yoga, breathing techniques, acupuncture for pain or cough, massage, mindfulness, and music therapy. These may improve quality of life — but they don’t treat the cancer itself.

Alternative therapies are things promoted instead of standard treatment.

Examples include “cancer diets,” unproven supplements, or “natural cures.” Using these in place of treatment is unsafe. Studies show people who refused treatment in favour of “alternatives” were more likely to die sooner.

👉 The safe path: think of complementary therapies as an add-on, not a replacement. Always check with your healthcare team before starting anything new.

Complementary vs Alternative: What’s the Difference?

Complementary therapies are things you can use alongside your lung cancer treatment to help with symptoms, side effects, or wellbeing.

Examples include yoga, breathing techniques, acupuncture for pain or cough, massage, mindfulness, and music therapy. These may improve quality of life — but they don’t treat the cancer itself.

Alternative therapies are things promoted instead of standard treatment.

Examples include “cancer diets,” unproven supplements, or “natural cures.” Using these in place of treatment is unsafe. Studies show people who refused treatment in favour of “alternatives” were more likely to die sooner.

👉 The safe path: think of complementary therapies as an add-on, not a replacement. Always check with your healthcare team before starting anything new.

What should I know about complementary therapies and lung cancer?

  • Complementary therapies with the best evidence include yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, acupuncture, massage and music therapy. They can help with symptoms such as fatigue, pain, anxiety, breathlessness and sleep problems.
    SIO–ASCO guideline on integrative therapies in cancer care (endorsed internationally, including in Europe).

  • Yes. Studies show yoga, tai chi and qigong can improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and help with mood in people with lung cancer. They are gentle, low-impact ways to support wellbeing.

    Interesting clinical trial about tai chi and sleep quality in advanced lung cancer patients HERE.

  • Some are, but others can be harmful. High-dose antioxidants and certain herbs can interfere with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. For example, St John’s wort and grapefruit can stop lung cancer drugs from working properly. Always check with your oncology team before taking anything new.

Here we answer some of the most common questions - from yoga and acupuncture to supplements and safety.

  • Yes. Research shows that acupuncture can reduce cough and help with breathlessness in lung cancer.

    Sources:

    Acupuncture reduced chronic cough.
    Randomised trial – Acupuncture for breathlessness in lung cancer and mesothelioma.

  • Avoid any therapy that claims to cure lung cancer, or asks you to stop treatment. Research shows people who turned down treatment in favour of “alternative” therapies were more likely to die sooner.

  • Many cancer centres and hospitals across Europe offer services such as acupuncture, massage and arts therapies. In the community, look for practitioners who are registered with national or European professional associations and who have experience working with cancer patients. Always ask your oncology team for guidance before starting something new.

Talk with your cancer team about complementary therapy

Nearly 3 in 10 people (29%) using complementary therapies never tell their doctor (JAMA Oncology, 2019). That silence can be risky - some supplements and remedies interfere with cancer drugs.

The good news is that many cancer centres across Europe now welcome integrative care. Services like acupuncture, massage, and relaxation classes are offered in hospital settings - for example, the Christie in Manchester, UK, runs an acupuncture service for people with cancer.

By being open with your team, you can make sure any complementary therapy you try is safe, evidence-based, and works alongside your treatment.