Shark cartilage was marketed as an anti-cancer supplement based on the premise that 'sharks don't get cancer' — which is FALSE (sharks DO get cancer, including cartilage cancer). The anti-angiogenic theory was plausible but multiple clinical trials found NO benefit for cancer. A 2005 Mayo Clinic RCT and a 2010 NCI Phase III trial both found shark cartilage was ineffective for non-small-cell lung cancer. Also: overfishing concern (shark populations declining). Our assessment: DEBUNKED. Sharks get cancer. Shark cartilage doesn't treat it. --- *Reviewed by the Dose AI Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board* *Last updated: 2026-04-06*
Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.