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Alternative medicine linked to lower breast cancer survival — Level A2 — A street corner with a large building in the background

Alternative medicine linked to lower breast cancer survivalCEFR A2

28 Mar 2026

Adapted from Yale, Futurity CC BY 4.0

Photo by Richard Liu, Unsplash

Level A2 – High beginner / Elementary
2 min
90 words

Researchers at a hospital analyzed how patients with breast cancer chose treatments. They used the National Cancer Database and looked at more than two million patients.

Nearly all women had traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Patients who used only alternative medicine were nearly four times more likely to die within five years. People who used both kinds of treatments also had higher risk.

The team found some patients skipped radiation and hormone treatment, and many did not tell their doctors. The researchers recommend talking about all treatment options.

Difficult words

  • analyzelook at information to find meaning
    analyzed
  • treatmentmedical care to help a sick person
    treatments
  • alternative medicinehealth methods not from regular hospitals
  • chemotherapytreatment with strong drugs for cancer
  • radiationenergy waves used to kill cancer cells
  • riskthe chance that something bad happens
  • recommendsay that someone should do something

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Why do the researchers recommend talking about all treatment options?
  • If you were a patient, would you tell your doctor about alternative treatments? Why or why not?
  • Have you ever talked with a doctor about different treatment choices? Describe briefly.

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