Which cancers affect women across different communities, which modern treatments are genuinely moving outcomes, and which complementary approaches may help alongside them — with the interaction risks laid out plainly so you can raise them with your oncology team.
Cancer Support Notice
Symptom tracking is for personal reference only. Report any concerning symptoms to your oncology team immediately. This app does not replace medical care.
Who this is for
Anyone newly diagnosed, in active treatment, or living in survivorship — and the people supporting them. Nothing here diagnoses, treats, or replaces your care team. Complementary approaches are used alongside medical treatment, never instead of it, and every one needs clearing with your oncology team first because interactions are real.
Step 1 — Cancer type
Step 2 — Where you are
The most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with outcomes that vary sharply by subtype and by how early it is found.
Risk rises with age, but incidence in women under 45 is climbing. Black women are diagnosed with triple-negative disease more often and face higher mortality at the same stage, largely reflecting access and delays rather than biology alone. Ashkenazi Jewish families carry higher BRCA prevalence.
Targeted HER2 therapy
Antibody and antibody-drug conjugate treatments aimed at HER2-positive disease.
Turned one of the most aggressive subtypes into one of the most treatable over two decades.
Endocrine therapy
Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, often for five to ten years, in hormone-receptor-positive disease.
Long-term recurrence reduction is well established.
CDK4/6 inhibitors
Oral drugs added to endocrine therapy in advanced hormone-receptor-positive disease.
Consistently extend the time before disease progresses.
Immunotherapy for triple-negative disease
Checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in selected patients.
Improved outcomes in a subtype that previously had few targeted options.
Genomic recurrence testing
Tumour gene assays that estimate benefit from chemotherapy.
Lets many women safely avoid chemotherapy altogether.
These sit alongside medical treatment, never in place of it. Confirm every one with your oncology team before starting — including anything you already take.
Aerobic and resistance exercise
Among the best-supported supports for treatment-related fatigue, mood, and long-term outcomes.
Confirm with your oncology team before starting.
Acupuncture for hot flashes and joint pain
Several trials show benefit for aromatase-inhibitor joint pain and vasomotor symptoms.
Confirm with your oncology team before starting.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia
Outperforms sleep medication for treatment-related insomnia in most studies.
Confirm with your oncology team before starting.
Mindfulness and breath-based practice
Consistent signal for anxiety and distress, weaker for physical symptoms.
Confirm with your oncology team before starting.
Scalp cooling during chemotherapy
Reduces hair loss for many regimens; availability varies by centre.
Confirm with your oncology team before starting.
Vitamin D and calcium for bone protection
Often recommended alongside aromatase inhibitors — dosing is a clinical decision, not a self-serve one.
Confirm with your oncology team before starting.
The most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with outcomes that vary sharply by subtype and by how early it is found.
Treatments covered: Targeted HER2 therapy, Endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors, Immunotherapy for triple-negative disease, Genomic recurrence testing.
Often found late because early symptoms are vague — bloating, fullness, urinary urgency, pelvic discomfort that persists.
Treatments covered: PARP inhibitors, Cytoreductive surgery with platinum chemotherapy, Anti-angiogenic therapy, Germline and somatic genetic testing.
Largely preventable through HPV vaccination and screening, yet still one of the leading causes of cancer death in women where access is limited.
Treatments covered: Chemoradiation, Immunotherapy, Fertility-sparing surgery, HPV vaccination and self-sampling screening.
One of the few cancers with rising incidence, closely linked to metabolic health. Abnormal bleeding — especially after menopause — is the key early signal.
Treatments covered: Molecular classification, Immunotherapy for mismatch-repair-deficient disease, Minimally invasive and sentinel node surgery, Progestin therapy for fertility preservation.
Incidence in adults under 50 has risen steadily, which is why screening ages have been lowered in several countries.
Treatments covered: Immunotherapy for MSI-high tumours, Total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer, Circulating tumour DNA monitoring, Targeted therapy by mutation profile.
Diagnosed three times more often in women than men, usually with excellent long-term outcomes — which has shifted the conversation toward avoiding overtreatment.
Treatments covered: Active surveillance for low-risk microcarcinoma, Lobectomy instead of total thyroidectomy, Targeted therapy for advanced disease, Selective radioactive iodine use.
A group of cancers that often affect younger adults, where treatment intensity makes fertility and long-term effects central conversations from day one.
Treatments covered: CAR-T cell therapy, Bispecific antibodies, Antibody-drug conjugates, Response-adapted therapy.
General principles that apply across cancer types when your specific diagnosis is not listed here.
Treatments covered: Biomarker-driven treatment, Immunotherapy, De-escalation strategies, Clinical trials.
Long-form guides on treatment, complementary care, and life after cancer.
No. Complementary approaches are used alongside medical treatment to help with symptoms and quality of life. Replacing evidence-based cancer treatment with alternative approaches is associated with worse survival. Everything on this page assumes you are also receiving oncology care.
St John's wort, high-dose antioxidant vitamins, concentrated turmeric or green tea extracts, grapefruit, and immune-stimulating supplements are the most commonly flagged. The safest approach is to bring every product you take, in its packaging, to your oncology team before starting treatment.
It depends on the treatment and your age. Alkylating chemotherapy and pelvic radiation carry the highest risk of permanent ovarian failure, and risk rises with age at treatment. Many younger women see periods return months after treatment ends. Ask your team directly rather than assuming either outcome.
Yes, and as early as possible. Egg or embryo freezing and ovarian suppression usually need to happen before treatment starts, and the window is often only a few weeks. Ask at your first oncology appointment, even if you are unsure about future pregnancy.
For most people, yes, and it is one of the best-supported ways to reduce treatment-related fatigue. Intensity and type should be adjusted for blood counts, surgical recovery, bone involvement, and neuropathy, so confirm the plan with your care team.
Log fatigue, pain, nausea, and cycle changes day by day, and bring the pattern — not a guess — to your next oncology appointment.
Start tracking freePERIODiQ provides health tracking and educational content only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with questions regarding a medical condition.
