When Traditional Healing Delays Needed Medical Care: Warning Signs and Risks
When relying on a traditional remedy first or alone can delay needed medical care, what studies found on cancer, HIV and mental health, and the warning signs that call for a clinician.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Urgent first
In the United States, call 911 for an emergency, such as chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, a seizure, fainting, or someone who is hard to wake. If you are thinking about suicide or are in emotional crisis, call or text 988 (the 988 Lifeline is free, confidential and open 24/7). [1] For poisoning, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. Outside the US, use your local emergency number. The NHS, for example, tells people in the UK to call 999 for chest pain that feels like squeezing, severe difficulty breathing, or someone who has passed out. [2]None of this means traditional care is the problem. Many people use a traditional remedy or healer alongside medical care, and this page does not tell you to stop. It is about one specific risk: using a remedy first, or instead of care that is known to work, while a treatable problem gets worse.
How a delay happens
Delay usually happens quietly, not through one bad decision:- A remedy seems to help a little, so a doctor visit is postponed.
- A trusted healer, elder or relative is the first person asked, and the next step is never taken.
- A seller promises to "treat all forms" of an illness. NCCIH notes that sellers of fraudulent cancer treatments often market them with claims like this. [3]
- Someone fears the side effects or cost of medical treatment and stays with the familiar option.
The FDA says health fraud scams waste money and can lead to delays in getting proper diagnosis and treatment, and can cause serious or even fatal injuries. [4]
What studies found
These are mostly observational studies, so they show links, not proof of cause. People who choose one path may differ from those who choose another.| Question | What the source found | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Curable cancer treated with "alternative medicine" alone | A US database study matched 280 such patients with 560 who had standard treatment. Risk of death was higher (hazard ratio 2.50; breast cancer 5.68, lung 2.17, colorectal 4.57). [5] | Observational; evidence of harm when standard treatment was skipped |
| Complementary medicine used with standard cancer treatment | Patients who chose complementary medicine were more likely to refuse surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Higher death risk was no longer significant once treatment delay or refusal was counted (hazard ratio 1.39; 95% CI 0.83 to 2.33). The authors suggested the risk was mediated by refusing standard treatment. [6] | Observational |
| HIV in rural Mozambique | Of 517 symptomatic adults, 62% saw a healer first. Median time to a health-facility visit was 2 months with no healer, 3 months with one healer and 9 months with more than one. [7] | Cross-sectional; links, not cause |
| Mental disorders in Africa | A review of 14 papers found pooled first contact was 17.0% traditional healers and 26.2% religious healers. The authors said earlier reports link this choice to delays in reaching formal services. [8] | Systematic review; delay itself not measured here |
| Psychosis in low- and middle-income countries | In 7 of 15 studies most people first went to traditional practitioners; this was associated with a longer duration of untreated psychosis. [9] | Systematic review |
Proper evidence not found: we searched PubMed for systematic reviews of delayed care from traditional healing in stroke, diabetes emergencies and sepsis, and found nothing usable this session.
Do traditional remedies work?
It depends on the specific remedy and the specific problem, which is why a blanket yes or no is not honest. The WHO says establishing efficacy and safety through rigorous scientific validation is crucial, even if a medicine has been used for a long period. [10] The NHS says herbal medicines and complementary therapies are not tested in the same way as standard medicines. [11] Where trials exist for particular practices, see TCM evidence by use and the evidence check for common complaints.Warning signs that you should see a clinician now
- Symptoms that are getting worse or not improving while you wait for a remedy to work.
- Anyone telling you to skip, stop or delay prescribed treatment. NCCIH says not to use unproven products or practices to replace or delay medical treatment for cancer. [3]
- A promise of a cure, or pressure to buy more products.
- Signs the FDA lists as possibly serious after a supplement: chest pain, fainting, severe persistent vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or stroke signs. [12]
A case report of a death after a sweat lodge ceremony in Australia listed features including failure to appreciate the significance of loss of consciousness, ineffective alternative treatment and delay in seeking medical care. [13]
A middle path
Several authors of the reviews above suggest cooperation instead of a choice between systems: they call for collaboration between biomedical services and community-based healers. [8][7] In practice that means telling your clinician what you use (see talking to your doctor) and telling your healer what your doctor has prescribed. More: coordinating complementary and medical care, red flags and informed consent, and the safety overview.Frequently asked questions
Does using a traditional remedy mean I am delaying care?
No. Delay means a treatable problem waits while you rely on a remedy first or instead. Using a remedy alongside care is different, though you should still tell your clinician. [3]
Is it safe to use traditional healing for cancer?
NCCIH says complementary approaches may help with symptoms and well-being alongside care, but unproven products or practices should not replace or delay medical treatment for cancer. [3]
Do healers cause delays in HIV or mental health care?
Some studies link seeing a healer first with longer time to testing or treatment, but they cannot prove the healer caused it, and the authors favor collaboration. [7][9]
What if I do not trust the medical system?
That is a real and common feeling. Ask for a clinician or interpreter you trust, bring a support person, and see cultural safety in health care. A second opinion is reasonable.
Who should I call if I am in crisis?
In the US, call or text 988 for emotional crisis and 911 for emergencies. [1]
References
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 Lifeline. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS. Heart attack. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- FDA. Health Fraud Scams. Read 2026-10-22.
- Johnson SB et al. Use of alternative medicine for cancer and its impact on survival. J Natl Cancer Inst 2018. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-22.
- Johnson SB et al. Complementary medicine, refusal of conventional cancer therapy, and survival among patients with curable cancers. JAMA Oncol 2018. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-22.
- Audet CM et al. Symptomatic HIV-positive persons in rural Mozambique who first consult a traditional healer have delays in HIV testing. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2014. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-22.
- Burns JK, Tomita A. Traditional and religious healers in the pathway to care for people with mental disorders in Africa. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2015. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-22.
- Lilford P et al. A systematic review of care pathways for psychosis in low- and middle-income countries. Asian J Psychiatry 2020. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-22.
- WHO. Traditional medicine: questions and answers (28 November 2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS. Herbal medicines and complementary therapies. Read 2026-10-22.
- FDA. How to Report a Problem with Dietary Supplements (content current as of 03/13/2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- Byard RW, Riches KJ. Dehydration and heat-related death: sweat lodge syndrome. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2005. PubMed abstract. Read 2026-10-22.