From the Guidelines
Red light therapy should be avoided in patients with cancer or any malignancies due to the lack of conclusive evidence on its safety and efficacy, and the potential risk of stimulating cancer cell growth. While red light therapy has shown benefits for certain skin conditions and pain management, its use in cancer treatment is not supported by strong evidence. In fact, the most recent study on this topic, published in 2024 1, found that bright light therapy, which is similar to red light therapy, had mixed results in reducing fatigue in cancer survivors, with one trial showing a significant reduction in fatigue and another trial showing no significant difference. However, this study did not directly address the safety of red light therapy in cancer patients. Another study published in 2023 2 also found insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of light therapy for treating anxiety symptoms in people with cancer. Given the potential risks and lack of strong evidence, cancer patients should avoid red light therapy unless specifically recommended and monitored by their oncologist as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The primary treatments for cancer remain surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, depending on the type and stage of cancer, which have proven efficacy and safety profiles.
Some key points to consider when evaluating the use of red light therapy in cancer patients include:
- The lack of conclusive evidence on its safety and efficacy
- The potential risk of stimulating cancer cell growth
- The availability of established treatments with proven efficacy and safety profiles
- The need for careful monitoring and recommendation by an oncologist if red light therapy is to be used.
It's also important to note that red light therapy works by stimulating cellular energy production and promoting tissue repair, which could theoretically benefit healthy cells but might also inadvertently support cancer cell proliferation. Until more research is available, it's safest to avoid red light therapy if you have or suspect you have any form of cancer, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
From the Research
Red Light Therapy and Cancer
- The current evidence suggests that red light therapy does not exacerbate malignancies (cancer) [ 3 , 4 ].
- In fact, some studies have shown that red light therapy can inhibit tumor growth and even prevent cancer progression [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].
Tumor Growth and Red Light Therapy
- A study published in 2012 found that low-level light therapy (LLLT) had no measurable effect on tumor growth in a mouse model of nonmelanoma skin cancer [ 3 ].
- Another study published in 2023 found that red light treatment before radiation therapy arrested tumor progression and improved survival in a murine model of triple-negative breast cancer [ 5 ].
Safety of Red Light Therapy in Cancer Patients
- A systematic review published in 2019 found that the use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the management of cancer-related toxicities did not lead to tumor safety issues [ 4 ].
- Other studies have also shown that red light therapy can be safely used in cancer patients without promoting tumor growth [ 3 , 6 , 7 ].