Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a type of hand-mediated “energy healing” technique. It has been proposed that TT can support people with cancer in managing physical and emotional symptoms including anxiety, stress, pain and fatigue.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous plant from the onion family which is widely used as food seasoning. It has also been used as a traditional medicine. Garlic is sometimes recommended for cancer prevention based on observational population studies assessing garlic intake and risk of cancer and on studies indicating beneficial effects on processes such as activation of carcinogenic substances, cell proliferation and apoptosis (cell death).

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) therapy involves sequential tensing and relaxation of major skeletal muscle groups and aims to reduce feelings of tension, to lower perceived stress, and to induce relaxation. PMR is purported to decrease the arousal of the autonomic and central nervous system and to increase parasympathetic activity. Two systematic reviews (SRs) published since 2019 are included in this summary. One included 12 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with 1147 participants and assessed a range of outcomes, the other one investigated PMR for preventing and alleviating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and included six RCTs with 288 participants. An additional 25 randomised and non-randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs and CCTs) were also reviewed for this summary.

The macrobiotic diet is essentially a specific vegetarian form of nutrition and life-style. A typical macrobiotic diet would consist mainly of whole grains, cereals and cooked vegetables. Some types of fish are allowed but only in moderation. Popularised in the 1970s by Michio Kushi, it is now often promoted for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

PC-SPES, PC-HOPE, PC-CARE and PC-PLUS are herbal supplements which have been marketed for the promoted for prostate health and treatment of prostate cancer. PC-SPES, the original product consisting of a combination of eight herbs, is no longer available. It was recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 due to concerns over quality control and reported contamination with prescription drugs. Newer products including similar herbs produced under improved conditions to avoid contamination include PC-HOPE, PC-CARE and PC-PLUS.

Reflexology is a supportive treatment modality employing manual pressure to specific areas of the body, usually the feet (occasionally the hands), which are thought to correspond to internal organs. Reflexologists suggest that by palpating the feet they can influence specific organ functions, reduce stress, eliminate toxins, rebalance the body’s energy, improve circulation, or promote metabolic homoeostasis.

Autogenic therapy refers to a particular technique of mental exercises involving relaxation and autosuggestion, which aims to teach individuals to switch off the fight/flight/fight stress response at will.

Ukrain is a drug based on the extract of the plant Chelidonium majus L (greater chelandine). It is claimed to be effective against a range of cancers.

The Ornish diet and lifestyle modification programme combines a supplemented vegan diet with exercise, stress management, and group support sessions. The programme is claimed to enable patients with early-stage prostate cancer to delay or avoid conventional treatment and/or improve quality of life. However, only one randomized trial and one pilot study have been published, all using surrogate markers for prostate cancer. In prostate cancer patients, the programme was found to improve cardiovascular health parameters, which is important as cardiovascular disease is the primary or secondary cause of death in men with prostate cancer.

Essiac is a herbal mixture usually administered as tea. It is promoted mostly via the internet as an alternative cancer cure.