Music Can’t Cure Cancer, but More Scientific Research Proves Music’s Surprisingly Significant Role in Recovery

We often associate cancer management and recovery with clinical therapies, like chemo and immunotherapy, while somewhat downplaying the potential benefits (placebo or actual) of non-clinical support systems like personal relationships, nature, and music. But as scientists gain a better understanding of the most effective medicinal treatments, researchers are finding compelling evidence to support music’s role in recovery.

Music won’t cure cancer. However, in the face of immense physical, mental, and emotional stress, music can significantly improve the treatment and recovery process. And for some patients, that can make all the difference in the world.

Music Therapy Supports Better Cancer Recovery Process

To a certain extent, it’s easy to see why music would be beneficial to someone going through as arduous of a process as cancer treatment. Music can help alleviate mood, empower the spirit, and distract from other stressors in life. It can be a great way to process and express emotions in a healthy way. But to suggest that there is scientific evidence that music can aid in cancer recovery would seem, to many, like downplaying cancer’s severity. However, more in-depth research into music’s role in recovery has revealed that music is more helpful than some skeptics might have been quick to believe.

Researchers presented their findings on music’s role in curbing the anxiety of cancer patients and survivors at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in June 2025. They found that in a randomized telehealth trial of men and women with a mean age of around 56, music therapy was a non-inferior method of anxiety reduction in direct comparison to cognitive behavioral therapy, or “talk” therapy. The study solidified the connection between music and recovery in a way that went beyond basic assumptions about what creative outlets like visual and musical art may or may not do in terms of long-term recovery.

Notably, scientists administered these therapy sessions via telehealth, which was another positive outcome of the study. At a time when receiving comprehensive medical care in the U.S. is increasingly difficult, having remote, effective options for health care is a tremendous resource to cancer patients and survivors. In the 2025 study, the scientists concluded, “[Music therapy] should be considered along first-line [cognitive behavioral therapy] to expand treatment options for anxiety during cancer survivorship.”

Long-Time NYC DJ Realizes Benefits Of MT

NPR’s Yuki Noguchi shared the story of Cynthia Cherish Maralan, a New York City DJ who received two conflicting diagnoses, breast cancer and an allergy to the primary medication to treat it, on Morning Edition. Maralan described the moment she asked her doctor what she should do if she was allergic to the only medication suitable for long-term prevention of cancer recurrence. “Be happy,” the doctor replied. “I couldn’t believe she said that,” Maralan continued. But eventually, “I realized if I can manage my stress and my emotions, that I would have the best chances of surviving.”

Maralan was incredibly receptive to this particular form of therapy, which included lyric writing, humming, singing, and listening. “Picture yourself feeling unwell and someone is serenading you—just you—and how much better you feel because you’re being seen and cared for that way. Creating something beautiful coming from my cancer is like the ultimate way for me to heal.”

Photo by Jacob Lund

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