No benefit found
Shark cartilage
cartilage pills and extracts. Sold as cures.
- Verdict
- No benefit foundIt was tested as a cancer remedy and didn't work.
- How sure
- Rung 4 · StrongAt least one large randomized trial, or very large consistent studies, on this exact question.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Breast, colon, lung (advanced)
What the evidence shows
In a randomized trial of 83 people with advanced breast or colon cancer, shark cartilage made no difference to quality of life or survival. In a trial of 379 people with advanced lung cancer, a cartilage product added to treatment didn't help them live longer.
What to do
Don't use it. It has been tested and doesn't work.
Sources
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
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Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the breast cancer, colorectal cancer and lung cancer pages.