Saunas and Cancer: Can Sauna Use Support Treatment?

A cancer diagnosis often brings not only physical challenges but also emotional and mental strain. While traditional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery remain the standard of care, many patients look for safe, supportive practices that can help them feel better along the way. One option that continues to gain interest is the sauna, particularly infrared saunas.

Saunas have been used for centuries to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and support overall wellness. But can they play a role for cancer patients during or after treatment? In this article, we’ll explore how saunas work, what science says about their benefits for cancer patients, and what precautions to keep in mind if you’re considering adding sauna use to your healing routine.

Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas and Cancer

Cancer patients often consider traditional or infrared saunas during treatment, but what’s the difference? And is there a better option for cancer patients? 

• An infrared sauna uses infrared lamps to give off electromagnetic radiation that heats the body directly. Like the sun, infrared saunas use varied light colors to generate heat. Infrared saunas operate at a lower temperature, usually between 120°F and 140°F. 
• Traditional Finnish-style saunas heat the air around you first, using wood, electric, or gas heaters. Traditional saunas operate at a much higher temperature, often reaching 150°F–195°F. 

Infrared saunas are the more common option for cancer patients during treatment due to their gentler heat, greater comfort, and lower strain on the cardiovascular system. The lower temperatures make them easier to tolerate for longer periods of time while still providing benefits such as improved circulation, muscle relaxation, stress relief, and pain reduction. Traditional saunas, while beneficial for some, can be overwhelming or exhausting for those undergoing cancer therapies.

Using Infrared Sauna During Cancer Treatment: 4 Potential Benefits

There are several sauna benefits for cancer patients, including the following: 

1. Immunity Activation

To understand how infrared saunas can help cancer patients, you must know what autophagy is. 

Autophagy is your body’s built-in healing system that removes damaged cells before they get dangerous. However, as you age, this process begins to slow and, oftentimes, defective cells multiply. Thus, this is how many cancers start. 

Fortunately, studies show that therapies like whole-body hyperthermia, a treatment that involves raising the body’s core temperature to a higher level than normal for a long period of time, can stimulate autophagy. In turn, this helps the immune system identify and destroy cancer cells. Hyperthermia produces “heat shock” proteins on the surface of cancer cells, leaving them more susceptible to immune system attacks. 

Here’s how hyperthermia works against cancer cells:

1. Heat makes cancer cells stand out. Hyperthermia (heat therapy) stresses cancer cells so they appear different from healthy ones, triggering an acute and ongoing immune response.
2. Immune recognition begins. The damaged proteins on tumor cell surfaces differ dramatically from those on healthy cells. This alerts the immune system, prompting macrophages to dispatch natural killer (NK) cells to the tumor site.
3. Dendritic cells (DCs) are stimulated. These immune “sentinels” collect heat-damaged proteins and present them to T cells as foreign.
4. Dendritic cells migrate to lymph nodes. Hyperthermia helps DCs develop and move into nearby lymph nodes, where they present tumor proteins to T lymphocytes.
5. T cells become activated. T cells are primed against the cancer-specific proteins within the lymph nodes, producing Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs).
6. Tumor cells are destroyed. The CTLs return to the tumor site, seek out cells with heat-damaged cancer proteins, and directly kill them—amplifying the immune system’s anti-tumor response.

While many cancer treatments inhibit immune function, hyperthermia has the opposite effect, with many doctors claiming it “may boost and reinforce the operation of the body’s immune system.” There are several ways to induce hyperthermia. However, many cancer patients prefer infrared saunas because of their accessibility and safety. 

2. Improved Circulation

Cancer often develops in tissues with poor circulation, which leads to oxygen deprivation and poor nourishment. However, increasing circulation can help reverse the cancer process. Infrared saunas are known for improving circulation, delivering vital nutrients and other chemicals to the body’s cells. 

According to UCLA, your heart rate in a sauna could increase from 60–100 beats per minute to 100–150 beats per minute. As a result, the heart pumps more blood per minute, and this extra blood flow is directed towards the skin. The blood is shifted from internal organs and pushed towards the extremities to dissipate heat. At the same time, circulation to the lungs improves, enhancing oxygenation throughout the body. For cancer patients, particularly older adults or those unable to exercise safely, this boost in circulation and oxygen delivery offers many of the same benefits as physical activity, without the strain of traditional exercise.

3. Chronic Pain Relief

Chronic pain is a common side effect of chemotherapy for those undergoing treatment. Fortunately, infrared saunas may provide much-needed relief. The gentle heat relaxes the body’s muscles, penetrating deep beneath the skin. It also reduces stiffness while opening blood vessels, which helps deliver vital oxygen and nutrients to muscles and ligaments, promoting comfort and recovery.

4. Stress Reduction

Receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment can take a massive toll on your mental health. Infrared saunas create a calming environment for cancer patients, encouraging your body to shift out of a “fight-or-flight” state and into relaxation. The soothing warmth helps lower cortisol levels (your body’s primary stress hormone) while stimulating the release of endorphins, natural chemicals that promote well-being. In addition, the gentle heat eases muscle tension and promotes deeper breathing, leaving you feeling more centered and at ease. Many people describe sauna as a restorative ritual, offering physical relief and a safe space to relax, reflect, and recharge emotionally during treatment.

3 FAQs About Saunas for Cancer Patients

1. Does the infrared heat kill cancer cells?

The short answer is: yes—in specific medical treatments and under controlled conditions, heat (including infrared) can damage or kill cancer cells, or make them more sensitive to other therapies. But it’s not a universal cure, and these methods are usually used alongside standard treatments.

• Hyperthermia therapy (as mentioned previously) uses carefully applied heat to weaken or kill cancer cells and help radiation or chemotherapy work better. Because tumors often can’t cool themselves as effectively as normal tissue, they’re more vulnerable to heat. In fact, a 2025 clinical trial in patients with head and neck cancer found that adding hyperthermia to chemoradiotherapy improved survival and tumor response, with manageable side effects. Other trials have shown benefits in breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer.
• Photothermal therapy is an experimental approach that uses special particles that heat up when exposed to near-infrared light. This creates highly targeted heat that can damage cancer cells. In one 2025 study in mice with breast cancer, photothermal therapy not only suppressed tumors but also triggered an immune response that reduced the risk of spread. 
• Photoimmunotherapy combines cancer-targeting antibodies with a light-sensitive agent. When exposed to near-infrared light, the cancer cells “burst,” stimulating the immune system to join the fight. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that this method has shown promise in shrinking tumors in early human trials, especially for head and neck cancers.
• Finally, infrared saunas are a much gentler form of whole-body hyperthermia. They don’t replicate the precision or intensity of medical treatments, but many patients find them supportive for relaxation, easing muscle pain, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being. While not a cure for cancer, infrared saunas can still be a safe and comforting part of a self-care routine.

2. Is the sauna safe for cancer patients?

Sauna use is generally safe for cancer patients. However, there are a few precautions to take when using the sauna if you have cancer:

1. Moderation is key. Limit your sessions to shorter durations (10–20 minutes) and avoid extreme heat to prevent overstressing the body.
2. Drink lots of water. Hydration before and after your sauna session is essential to replace fluids lost through sweating and support healthy circulation.
3. Start slowly. If you’re new to infrared saunas, begin with shorter, less intense sessions and gradually increase as your body adjusts. Listen to your body and step out if you feel lightheaded or fatigued.

Before adding sauna therapy to your routine, talk with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your particular treatment plan. Read our article on how to use a sauna for a safe session that delivers massive benefits. 

3. Are infrared rays used in the treatment of cancer?

Infrared rays are not used as a standard treatment for cancer, like chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Instead, they’re more often used for comfort and wellness.

Doctors sometimes use a medical approach called hyperthermia therapy (mentioned previously), which involves carefully heating cancer cells to make them more sensitive to traditional treatments. Infrared technology can be used in some cases.

Infrared saunas, on the other hand, are mainly used as a supportive tool. While they don’t cure cancer, the gentle heat can help reduce stress, ease pain, improve circulation, and support overall well-being, which can be especially valuable during treatment. Always talk to your doctor before adding sauna use to your care routine.

Incorporate a Sauna Routine With Cancer Treatment

While saunas are not a cure for cancer, they can offer meaningful support during treatment by easing pain, reducing stress, improving circulation, and promoting relaxation. For many patients, especially those who cannot exercise much, infrared saunas provide a gentle way to experience these benefits. Always use saunas in moderation and consult your healthcare team before beginning. With the proper precautions, sauna use can be a safe, comforting addition to your overall wellness journey.
If you’re considering adding an infrared sauna to your treatment, Qontrast offers thoughtfully designed saunas that combine comfort, safety, and advanced infrared technology. Their models are built to provide a practical, soothing experience right at home, helping you create a space for relaxation and healing whenever needed. With the proper precautions, sauna use can be a safe, comforting addition to your overall wellness journey. Schedule an appointment at our showroom to find an infrared sauna for your home!