Cancer Advisor

Medically Reviewed | OneDayMD Editorial Team | Last updated: August 2026 · Consolidated and updated from two prior Cancer Advisor guides Quick Answer The strongest and most consistent evidence supports a few core cancer-prevention strategies: do not use tobacco in any form; limit or avoid alcohol (a January 2025 U.S. Surgeon General advisory concluded that alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer); maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity; and follow a plant-forward, high-fiber, Mediterranean-style eating pattern while minimizing ultra-processed foods and excess added sugar. An estimated 40–50% of cancer cases may be attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors , although the exact proportion varies by population, cancer type, and methodology. Certain supplements—including vitamin D, curcumin, and omega-3 fatty acids —have shown promising findings in specific settings, but the evidence is considerably less consistent than fo...

Abstract Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail) and its water-soluble extracts — especially Polysaccharide-K (PSK, also known as Krestin) and Polysaccharide-Peptide (PSP) — have been studied as adjuvant biological response modifiers in oncology for decades, particularly in East Asia. This review synthesizes clinical, mechanistic, and systematic evidence assessing PSK/PSP in cancer care, focusing on survival outcomes, immune modulation, and safety. While not curative or approved in most Western jurisdictions, Turkey Tail derivatives show modest evidence of benefit as adjuncts to conventional therapies across several cancers. 1. Overview of Turkey Tail and Bioactive Constituents Turkey Tail is a saprophytic bracket fungus with a long history in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. Modern interest centers on PSK and PSP , high-molecular-weight polysaccharide complexes extracted from the mycelium. PSK has regulatory approval in Japan as an adjunct in cancer treatment, particularly in g...

Quick Answer The supplements with the strongest human research behind them are vitamin D3 (paired with K2 and magnesium) , curcumin , omega-3 fatty acids , and green tea EGCG — each backed by multiple randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses, though results are mixed rather than uniformly positive. Melatonin looked promising in older, smaller trials, but the largest randomized trial to date found no overall survival benefit. No supplement replaces conventional cancer treatment, and a few — high-dose beta-carotene, vitamin E, and high-dose B6/B12 — have been linked to increased cancer risk in specific groups. Antioxidant supplements are generally discouraged during chemotherapy or radiotherapy unless a doctor directs otherwise. This is an educational overview, not personal medical advice — always loop in your oncology team before starting anything new. Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links (including The Wellness Company and Amazon Associates). If ...