Common Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer and treatments received, but commonly include: Persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, pain, nausea, dry mouth, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and weak immunity.
Side effects from conventional treatments may include: hair loss, digestive disturbances, hot flashes or night sweats and peripheral neuropathy.
Possible Causes
TCM View
From a TCM perspective, cancer is understood as a result of long-term internal imbalance, involving:
- Weakness of the body’s vital energy (Qi)
- Accumulation of pathological factors such as phlegm, dampness, heat, and blood stasis
- Impaired function of key organ systems (e.g., Liver, Spleen, Kidney)
Common patterns include:
- Qi Deficiency (气虚）– Reduced vitality and weakened immune defence
- Blood Stasis （血瘀）– Poor circulation leading to formation of masses
- Phlegm and Dampness Accumulation （痰湿）– Seen as contributing to tumour growth
- Heat and Toxins （热毒） – Chronic internal heat damaging tissues
- Emotional Factors (e.g., stress, stagnation of Liver Qi) （肝气郁结) – Long-term emotional strain disrupting internal balance
Modern View
Common cancers include:
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Liver cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian cancer
From a Western medical perspective, cancer develops through a combination of one or more underlying factors:
- Genetic mutations – Changes in DNA that cause abnormal cell growth and division.
- Ageing – The risk of developing cancer increases with age.
- Family history and inherited genes – Certain inherited genetic mutations increase cancer risk.
- Lifestyle factors – Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive sun exposure contribute to many cancers.
- Environmental and occupational exposures – Exposure to radiation, air pollution, and certain chemicals may increase cancer risk.
- Chronic infections and inflammation – Certain viruses, bacteria, and long-term inflammation are associated with specific cancers.
How we treat
TCM
Strengthen healthy Qi and constitutional support (扶正培本)
improve energy, vitality, and resilience via herbal medicine
Improve circulation and reduce stagnation
acupuncture and herbal medicine regulate Qi and blood flow to improve physical function, tissue healing, and reduce pain
Reduce treatment side effects
such as fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, neuropathy, insomnia, dry mouth, or digestive discomfort due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Improve quality of life and functional wellbeing
supporting physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, sleep, and daily functioning throughout treatment and recovery
Individualised constitutional regulation
treatment tailored according to the patient’s constitution, cancer type, treatment stage, and symptom pattern
Note: In an integrative medicine setting, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is used as a complementary therapy alongside standard cancer treatment. It is not a substitute for surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or other evidence-based cancer treatments, but may help support symptom management, recovery, and quality of life under the guidance of the oncology team.
Western medicine
Comprehensive assessment
Clinical evaluation, blood tests, imaging, and biopsy to diagnose, stage, and monitor the cancer
Cancer treatment
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy based on the cancer type and stage
Supportive care
Management of treatment-related symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, neuropathy, and emotional distress
Regular monitoring
Ongoing follow-up with imaging, blood tests, and clinical assessments to evaluate treatment response and detect recurrence
Rehabilitation and survivorship care
Physiotherapy, nutritional support, psychological care, and lifestyle guidance to improve recovery and quality of life
Multidisciplinary care
Coordinated management by oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, nurses, rehabilitation therapists, dietitians, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals to deliver personalised, comprehensive cancer care
Wellness
Lifestyle advice
guidance on nutrition and physical activity to improve strength, fatigue, and mood
Stress management & emotional wellbeing
counselling, mindfulness, breathing exercises, or support groups
Infection prevention
especially during periods of low immunity
Smoking cessation & alcohol moderation
Rehab
Physiotherapy
to manage chronic pain, muscle tension, neuropathy (numbness/tingling from chemotherapy), swelling or lymphoedema, fatigue and weakness
Gentle exercise programs, strength and balance training
Helps to gradually rebuild strength, improve cardiovascular fitness, increase energy levels and improve ability to perform daily activities
Besides TCM treatment, lifestyle and dietary guidance may also be provided to complement the treatment. Care is delivered in coordination with the individual’s specialist team, to ensure safe and efficient treatments. Integrated care helps to restore overall balance in the body for improved energy levels, better tolerance of cancer treatment, and reduce symptoms.