My Top 10 Evidence-Based Anticancer Supplements
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I ignored my doctor.
Two years before my cancer diagnosis, my vitamin D levels came back dangerously low.
My doctor said, "You need to supplement."
I said, "I don't like swallowing pills."
And I did nothing.
Two years later, I was sitting in an oncologist's office being told I had Stage 2B triple negative breast cancer.
I was 29 years old.
And one of the first questions I asked myself was: Could I have prevented this?
I'll never know if low vitamin D contributed to my cancer. The research suggests it might have. But what I DO know is this:
I wasn't going to make that mistake again.
The moment I was diagnosed, I became obsessed with one question:
What can I DO—right now, today—to give my body every possible advantage in this fight?
Chemotherapy would attack the cancer. Surgery would remove it. Radiation would kill any remaining cells.
But what could I do to support my body THROUGH that treatment? To reduce side effects? To lower my risk of recurrence?
That's when I started researching supplements.
And let me tell you—it was overwhelming.
There are thousands of supplements marketed to cancer patients. Naturopaths recommend one thing. Integrative oncologists recommend another. Facebook groups swear by protocols that cost $500 a month.
I didn't know what actually worked. What was evidence-based versus expensive snake oil. What was safe during chemo versus what could interfere with treatment.
So I did what any terrified scientist would do:
I read every study I could find. I consulted with a naturopath and later an integrative medicine doctor. I experimented (carefully, with my oncologist's approval).
And over 15 years, I figured out what actually matters.
Today, I'm going to share exactly what I took during treatment—and what I take now to stay cancer-free.
But first, let me be crystal clear about something.
This is not medical advice.
I'm a PhD biochemist and a 15-year breast cancer survivor, but I'm not YOUR doctor. What worked for me might not work for you. What was safe for my treatment protocol might not be safe for yours.
You MUST talk to your oncologist before taking ANY supplements during active treatment.
I know some oncologists are dismissive about supplements. I know some will say "those don't do anything" or "just eat a balanced diet."
But you still need to tell them what you're taking.
Why?
Because some supplements can interfere with treatment. Some increase bleeding risk (dangerous before surgery). Some reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation.
My oncologist gave me the okay to take supplements during treatment—but with strict rules:
Stop 3 days before chemo
Stop 3 days after chemo
Only take on non-radiation days during radiation therapy
Your oncologist might have different guidelines. Or they might say no supplements at all during active treatment.
You have to honor that.
I'm sharing my personal supplement protocol for three reasons:
1. Because I wish someone had given me this roadmap when I was diagnosed.
I wasted so much time and money trying to figure out what mattered. I want to save you that.
2. Because I want you to understand my THINKING—not just copy my list.
Your goals might be different than mine. Your cancer might be different. Your budget might be different.
I'm going to show you how I prioritized so you can make informed decisions for YOUR situation.
3. Because partnering with a professional is worth it—but not everyone has access.
I worked with a naturopath and later an integrative medicine doctor. It was expensive, but it helped me avoid the "shotgun approach" of taking 47 different supplements with no strategy.
If you CAN work with an integrative oncologist or naturopath, do it. They can tailor a protocol to YOUR cancer, YOUR treatment, YOUR goals.
If you can't, this guide will help you prioritize.
MY SUPPLEMENT PHILOSOPHY (The Framework):
Here's how I think about supplements:
Not as a replacement for treatment. As strategic support.
I wasn't trying to "cure cancer with vitamins." I was trying to:
✓ Give my body the best possible foundation to tolerate aggressive treatment
✓ Reduce short-term side effects (neuropathy, fatigue, nausea)
✓ Prevent long-term damage (heart toxicity, bone loss, cognitive decline)
✓ Lower my risk of recurrence after treatment ended
Different phases require different supplements.
What I took during chemo was different from what I took during radiation. And both were different from what I take now in long-term survivorship.
Quality matters more than quantity.
I'd rather take 3 high-quality, evidence-based supplements than 20 cheap ones with questionable bioavailability.
Good supplements aren't cheap. But they're cheaper than taking things that don't work.
Evidence matters.
I'm a scientist. I wanted supplements with actual research behind them—not just testimonials from wellness influencers.
That doesn't mean "FDA-approved" (supplements aren't regulated that way). It means: Are there peer-reviewed studies showing this compound has anticancer activity? Is it bioavailable in the form I'm taking? Is it safe during treatment?
MY SUPPLEMENT PROTOCOL (Organized by Phase):
PHASE 1: THE ESSENTIALS (What I Take Every Single Day—Then and Now)
These are the non-negotiables. The ones with the strongest evidence for anticancer activity and the best safety profile during treatment.
1. Essential Supplements
Vitamin D3 5000IU/day
"In studies of cancer cells and of tumors in mice, vitamin D has been found to have several activities that might slow or prevent the development of cancer, including promoting cellular differentiation, decreasing cancer cell growth, stimulating cell death (apoptosis), and reducing tumor blood vessel formation (angiogenesis)" - Cancer.Gov
Vitamin D is involved in hundreds of biological processes—immune function, cell differentiation, apoptosis (programmed cell death of cancer cells), and angiogenesis prevention (stopping tumors from forming blood vessels).
The research is clear: Low vitamin D levels are associated with higher breast cancer risk and worse outcomes.
In fact, many women with breast cancer (including me) had low vitamin D levels before diagnosis.
After I was diagnosed, I got my levels tested. They were still low.
I immediately started supplementing—and I've taken vitamin D3 every single day for 15 years.
What to look for:
Most vitamin D supplements at the drugstore are weak (100-1,000 IU) and come in giant capsules.
I use Healthy Origins Vitamin D3 (5,000-10,000 IU in a tiny gel capsule). It's highly concentrated, easy to swallow, and cheap.
During treatment: My oncologist approved this throughout chemo and radiation.
Now: I take 5,000 IU daily and get my levels tested annually to make sure I'm in the optimal range (50-80 ng/mL). Most vitamin D3 you'll find at the chemist comes in a weak formulation (usually 100IU) and comes in big capsules. I really love the Healthy Origins brand because they come in a tiny concentrated gel capsule (you can get up to 10,000IU). They are easy to swallow and it's super cheap!
Favourite Vitamin D3:
Curcumin
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric—and it's probably the most researched anticancer supplement on the planet.
It has broad-spectrum anticancer activity, meaning it works against multiple cancer pathways:
Inhibits cancer cell growth
Triggers apoptosis (cancer cell death)
Reduces inflammation
Prevents metastasis
Blocks angiogenesis
There are literally thousands of studies on curcumin and cancer. Here's a review specific to breast cancer.
The problem: On its own, curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body.
You can eat turmeric in your food, but you won't get therapeutic doses that way.
The solution: You need a bioavailable form—one that's been formulated to actually absorb.
I take Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin because it uses BCM-95, a patented form that's been shown in studies to be 7x more bioavailable than standard curcumin.
During treatment: I took this throughout chemo and radiation (on non-treatment days) with my oncologist's approval. Curcumin is the active anticancer compound derived from the root plant turmeric and is probably the most studied anticancer compound to date. You can read a scientific review on curcumin and breast cancer here.
Due to the overwhelming evidence of curcumin and its anticancer properties, it's no surprise that I've added curcumin in my essential supplements list.
A word of caution - on its own, curcumin is difficult for the body to absorb so it's important to take a good quality and bioavailable form. The Super Biocurcumin from Life Extension is excellent quality and one that I’ve personally been taking twice daily since I was first diagnosed until today.
Favourite Curcumin:
Why I took it during treatment:
High-quality fish oil reduces inflammation, supports heart health (critical during chemo—some drugs are cardiotoxic), and may improve treatment outcomes.
Some studies suggest omega-3s help reduce chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and support cognitive function (aka "chemo brain").
What to look for:
NOT all fish oils are created equal.
You want:
High concentration of EPA/DHA (not just "1000mg of fish oil"—that's mostly filler)
Third-party tested for purity (no mercury, PCBs)
Triglyceride form (better absorption than ethyl ester)
I used Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega or Life Extension Super Omega-3.
During treatment: 2-3g daily (split into 2 doses with meals).
Now: I still take 2g daily. Another tip is to get an enteric coated fish oil. It's slightly more expensive but it's worth it if you're experiencing reflux symptoms.
Favourite Omega 3:
2) Supplements I Took During Treatment
MGN-3 probably one of the most expensive supplements I took and one that my naturopath prescribed me. From what I've researched, MGN-3 increases the activity of your natural killer cells. It is developed and manufactured in Japan by Daiwa Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, and marketed worldwide as a nontoxic food supplement under different brand names such as BioBran (Globally), Lentin Plus (Japan/Asia), Ribraxx (Australia/New Zealand), BRM4 (United States). You can check out studies of MGN-3 for yourself here. In Australia, we can order Ribraxx through a health practitioner.
One of the most important things you can do during cancer treatment is to not become immunodeficient. Not only to avoid infections, but also to still be able to fight cancer when treatment has finished.
Maitake mushroom is an edible fungus that is popularly consumed in Asia especially Japan. It has gained popularity as a supplement because of it's ability to stimulate the immune system. The D-fraction from edible and medicinal mushrooms have been shown to show antitumoral and anti-metastatic activities in triple negative breast cancer. You can read the study here.
Favourite Maitake supplement:
Why I took it during treatment:
Some chemotherapy drugs (like Adriamycin) are cardiotoxic—they can damage your heart.
CoQ10 supports mitochondrial function and protects the heart.
There's also some evidence it may reduce chemotherapy-induced fatigue.
What to look for:
Ubiquinol form (more bioavailable than ubiquinone, especially for cancer patients whose bodies are stressed).
I used Qunol Ubiquinol or Life Extension Super Ubiquinol CoQ10.
During treatment: 100-200mg daily (I discussed this with my oncologist first—some are cautious about antioxidants during chemo, though CoQ10 is generally considered safe).
Now: I take it a few times a week for heart health and energy.
You can read about studies of CoQ10 and the impact it has on maintaining cardiovascular health here.
Favourite CoQ10:
Green tea catechins (especially EGCG) have strong anticancer properties and may reduce recurrence risk.
I didn't take this during active treatment because there's some debate about high-dose antioxidants during chemo/radiation.
But post-treatment? It's one of my staples.
What to look for:
Decaffeinated (unless you want the caffeine).
Standardized to at least 45% EGCG. In animal studies EGCG has been shown to block angiogenesis -the process by which tumours establish a new blood supply - critical for cancers to grow and spread.
In another study it's been shown that daily consumption of green tea results in a lower breast density compared to non-tea drinkers. We know that increased breast density is a risk factor for breast cancer. However, this effect was mainly seen in post-menopausal women. You can read the scientific reviews of green tea and its effects on breast cancer here.
I drink several cups of green tea (~6 cups is beneficial) per day and take green tea supplements to further increase the levels of EGCG in my body.
Supplements I Take Now
We all know that vitamin C is really good for our immune system, however, it's been shown that high doses of vitamin C can directly kill cancer cells which you can only achieve intravenously.
After consulting with my IMD at the National Institute of Integrative Medicine, I underwent a year of fortnightly intravenous vitamin C (every 2-3 weeks). After that initial year I just supplemented with vitamin C tablets.
Favourite Vitamin C:
Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is derived from the rind and of citrus fruits. It needs to be modified for us to able to absorb it in the gut. MCP can affect the different steps in cancer metastasis. You can read a review of MCP here. MCP is a also a good detoxifying supplement to take as it has been shown to chelate heavy metals in your body and removing them via the urine.
Diindolemethane (DIM) are metabolites derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and brussel sprouts. It helps your liver metabolise toxic oestrogen. Therefore it may be especially beneficial for those of you with oestrogen positive breast cancer as it can lower your oestrogen levels rather than just blocking oestrogen receptors (the way that tamoxifen works).
So if for some reason you can't take tamoxifen, then taking estrodim could be a viable alternative.
Studies have shown it can also benefit hormone negative breast cancer patients as it has anticancer properties beyond oestrogen metabolism. For example, it can restore p21 gene activity and stops tumours from developing a blood supply. You can read on the scientific review of DIM here.
Favourite DIM supplements:
This is by no means an exhaustive list of anticancer supplements. There's many more that I take but from my research these ones seem to have the most scientific evidence for it's anticancer properties.
f I could go back to 2010 and give myself a supplement protocol, here's what I'd say:
START HERE (The Bare Minimum):
Vitamin D3 (5,000 IU)
Curcumin (bioavailable form)
Omega-3s (high-quality fish oil)
That's it. Those three.
If you can only afford three supplements, those are the ones with the strongest evidence and the best safety profile during treatment.
THEN, if you have the budget and your oncologist approves:
Probiotics (for gut health during chemo)
CoQ10 (for heart protection)
L-glutamine (for neuropathy prevention)
POST-TREATMENT, add:
Green tea extract
Medicinal mushrooms
DIM (if relevant to your cancer type)
WHAT I WISH I'D KNOWN:
You don't need to take everything.
I wasted money on supplements that didn't have strong evidence or that I couldn't tolerate.
Focus on the essentials. Do them well. Don't try to do everything.
Quality over quantity.
Three high-quality supplements beat 20 cheap ones.
Timing matters.
What's safe during treatment might be different from what's optimal post-treatment.
Your oncologist might not know about supplements—and that's okay.
Most oncologists aren't trained in integrative medicine. If they dismiss supplements entirely, consider getting a second opinion from an integrative oncologist or working with a naturopath in addition to your oncology team.
You are allowed to be proactive.
Taking supplements doesn't mean you're chasing false hope or falling for pseudoscience.
It means you're doing everything you can—with the best evidence available—to give your body every advantage.
And 15 years later, I'm still here.
Still taking my vitamins.
Still cancer-free.