Misconception in Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy kills! TCM is better!

Johor, Malaysia

Have you ever been advised by friends or relatives to consider Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for cancer treatment—perhaps because it’s believed to be more "natural," "gentle," or "less harmful" than Western medicine?

It’s a common suggestion, especially in our Chinese culture. And while the intention behind such advice is usually out of love and concern, I’ve seen too many cases where decisions based on this belief come at a high cost.

Let me speak to you, frankly and from the heart—not just as an oncologist, but as someone who has walked closely with cancer patients for many years.

You might have heard that chemotherapy causes suffering. And yes, chemo does come with side effects. But what you might not hear as often is how many lives chemotherapy has saved. What’s even more worrying is that some patients refuse surgery or chemotherapy altogether—especially those in the early stages of cancer—believing that alternative treatments, including TCM, might be a better or gentler option.

Let me be very clear: this is a very dangerous and, frankly, a very silly decision if you are still in the curative phase of cancer.

If you are already in Stage 4, and treatment is no longer curative, then yes—choosing not to undergo standard treatments like chemo or surgery may be acceptable, especially if your focus is on comfort and quality of life.

But if you are in Stage 1 or Stage 2, where the cancer is still curable, and you choose to ignore medically proven treatments… only to return later with Stage 3 or 4 disease—that is a heartbreaking waste of time, opportunity, and hope.

Too many people get the wrong idea that TCM is a milder, less aggressive form of treatment that could replace chemotherapy or surgery. This misinformation usually comes from unverified sources or uncertified practitioners. As a result, patients delay proper treatment—sometimes until it’s too late.

If You Still Want to Seek TCM, Here's What You Must Know

I am not against TCM. In fact, when used correctly and responsibly, TCM can play a supportive role in cancer care—particularly in reducing side effects from chemo or improving quality of life. But there are a few very important things to look out for:

Only consult TCM practitioners who are registered with the Ministry of Health. This ensures they’ve been vetted and approved by a medical authority.
A proper TCM consultation is not just about checking your pulse, tongue, or face. A good practitioner will review all your medical documents: blood tests, scans, histopathology reports—just like a Western-trained doctor would.
Your TCM practitioner should also ask about your ongoing treatments. Whether you're on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or surgery—each treatment has different side effects and TCM must be adjusted accordingly.

If a TCM practitioner discourages you from undergoing scientifically proven cancer treatments or claims their herbal remedies can "replace" chemo or surgery—please walk away. That is not responsible care.

Let’s Not Confuse Their Roles

Western medicine and TCM serve different purposes in cancer care. Western medicine aims to treat, control, or cure the disease by targeting and killing cancer cells. On the other hand, TCM is often used to ease the side effects of Western treatment or relieve cancer-related symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or poor appetite.

When you still have a real shot at beating cancer, don’t throw it away because of fear, misconceptions, or misinformation. Too many patients give up standard treatment thinking it’s harmful, without realizing they are giving up their best chance for survival.

Yes, Western treatments can be tough—but so is cancer. Doctors go through years of rigorous training not to make your life harder, but to save it.

So, if you’re considering TCM, that’s fine—but please do it in the right way, and for the right reasons. Let it support your journey, not sabotage it.

And always remember: When facing serious illness, professional, certified medical advice isn’t just an option—it’s essential.

Choose wisely. Choose life.