OBJECTIVES: This research study aimed to investigate the perception of cancer patients towards the use of Traditional & Complementary Medicines (T&CM) for cancer treatment. METHODS: Qualitative methodology was adapted to collect in-depth information from consented cancer patients who were recruited from the oncology wards at Penang General Hospital from May 2010 to August 2010. After obtaining institutional ethical approval, patients with different types of cancer and stages from the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia namely Malay, Chinese and Indians were approached. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted after obtaining informed consent.  All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and translated into English for thematic content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3 themes were identified from the interview analysis: 1) positive attitude towards spiritual ways of healing for cancer treatment, 2) concerns about the safety and efficacy of T&CM for cancer treatment; and 3) concerns towards the legitimacy of the claims made by traditional practitioners.  Patients were willing to try non-invasive treatments such as prayers, spiritual and faith healing therapies for cancer treatment. Lack of a fixed dosing system, unknown side effects and substandard methods of preparation were other reported reasons for rejecting T&CM use. The respondents showed a great concern towards the authenticity of claims made by traditional practitioners and the majority demanded that true and fair claims should be made by traditional practitioners in order to help patients in making decisions regarding cancer therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents in this study did not appear to have attitudes regarding TCM that could lead to treatment delays but this may be due to the sampling method. Future studies are needed to evaluate perceptions among those who have defaulted treatment at any stage of cancer. The current study has contributed to a greater understanding of the use of T&CM among cancer patients that are not defaulting treatment.