Patients and providers may not be aware that several adjunctive measures can significantly improve the quality of life, response to treatment, and possibly outcomes for cancer patients. This manuscript presents a review of practical under-recognized adjunctive therapies that are effective including exercise; stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, massage, yoga, Tai Chi, breathing exercises; importance of sleep quality; diet modifications such as calorie restriction at the time of chemotherapy and avoidance of high carbohydrate foods; supplements such as aspirin, green tea, turmeric, and melatonin; and repurposed prescription medications such as metformin and statins. Each recommendation should be tailored to the individual patient to assure no contraindications.
Keywords: Tai Chi; adjunctive cancer therapy; cancer; circadian rhythm effect on immunity; diet influence on cancer; exercise effect on cancer; fasting prior to chemotherapy; green tea; improved sleep effect on cancer; integrative oncology; ketogenic diet; melatonin; metformin; mindfulness; repurposed drugs for cancer treatment; statin therapy; stress reduction techniques; turmeric; yoga.