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Latest CAM News
Fish Oil Linked to Reduction in Breast Cancer Risk (7/9/2010)
A recent study suggests that regular use of fish oil supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer. These findings were published in the journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Vitamin E and Vitamin C Supplementation Do Not Appear to Prevent Cancer (11/24/2008)
Long-term supplementation with vitamin E and vitamin C may not prevent cancer, according to data from the Physician’s Health Study II that was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Seventh Annual International Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 16, 2008.
Some Chinese Herbs Reduce Nausea Associated with Chemotherapy (4/3/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Annals of Oncology, treatment with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), as prescribed by a Chinese herbalist, may significantly reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Do Not Reduce Risk of Cancer (1/25/2006)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids does not protect against the development of cancer.
Chinese Herbal Medicine May Increase Effectiveness of Lung Cancer Chemotherapy (1/20/2006)
A combined analysis of 34 studies suggests that Astragalus-based Chinese herbal medicine may increase the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (However, because the quality of several of the evaluated studies was poor, these findings need to be confirmed in well-designed clinical trials.) These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
CAM News By Topic
CAM - AdvisoryAyurvedic Medicines from South Asia Found to Have Potentially Harmful Levels of Heavy Metals (1/21/2005)
Researchers from Boston have reported that 1 of 5 Ayurvedic herbal medicine products (HMPs) produced in South Asia and available in Boston South Asian grocery stores contains potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury, and/or arsenic.
Herbal Formula for Colon Cleansing Causes Heart Poisoning (4/22/2003)
According to an article recently published in
Annals of Emergency Medicine, an herbal formula marketed for internal cleansing was the cause of heart poisoning when a 36 year old woman ingested the entire bottle at one time, rather than in four doses as directed by its instructions. The product was purchased from a street vendor and claimed to consist of Amazon herbs, although its packaging failed to detail specific ingredients.
Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice: Potentially Dangerous Interactions with Pharmaceutical Drugs (2/12/2003)
More cancer patients are turning to complementary and alternative medicines, either as primary cancer treatment, an augmentation to cancer treatment or to help in the relief of side effects caused by treatment or cancer itself. Since complementary/alternative agents or methods are not closely regulated in the U.S., it is important for patients to be aware of possible adverse events that may occur with the use of these products. As research on these drug-CAM interactions continues, potentially adverse effects of drugs and common food items have also been reported.
FDA Rules that Aloe and Cascara Sagrada Cannot be Labeled as Stimulant Laxatives (2/11/2003)
More cancer patients are turning to the use of complementary and alternative medicines, either as primary cancer treatment, an augmentation to cancer treatment or to help in the relief of side effects caused by treatment or cancer itself. Since complementary/alternative agents or methods are not regulated in the U.S., it is important for patients to be aware of possible adverse events that may occur with the use of these products. On November 5, 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final ruling stating that aloe and cascara sagrada cannot be labeled or sold as stimulant laxatives in over-the-counter (OTC) drug products due to a lack of research on safety and efficacy.
Chinese Herbal Medicines Frequently Contaminated with Harmful Drugs (2/7/2003)
An article recently published in the
Journal of Internal Medicine reported that a recent analysis of Chinese herbal medicines finds many are contaminated with prescription medications.
CAM - Alternative Medical SystemsAcupuncture May Prevent Some Cases of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (10/3/2005)
According to a review published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, certain types of acupuncture-point stimulation may relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting, but few well-designed studies have been conducted.
Herbal Supplement PC-SPES may Interfere with Chemotherapy Drug Paclitaxel (2/6/2003)
A recent article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that the herbal supplement PC-SPES appears to interfere with the anticancer activity of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel.
Acupuncture Palliates Xerostomia after Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers (3/14/2002)
According to results recently published in
Cancer, acupuncture appears to reduce the severity of radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients.
PC-SPES and SPES Herbal Supplements Recalled (3/7/2002)
According to recall notices issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the California Department of Health Services (DHS) and BotanicLab, consumers should immediately stop using PC-SPES and SPES herbal supplements. Laboratory testing conducted by DHS identified undeclared prescription medications in these formulas that could cause serious side effects, particularly if combined with other prescribed medications.
Homeopathic Medication TRAUMEEL S Reduces Chemotherapy-Induced Stomatitis in Children (2/25/2002)
Results of a recent study published in the journal Cancer, suggest that TRAUMEEL S significantly reduces the severity and duration of stomatitis resulting from chemotherapy in children undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
CAM - Biologic-Orthomolecular TherapiesZinc Supplements May Increase the Incidence of Prostate Cancer (8/22/2003)
According to results published in the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers from the National Institutes of Health and Harvard Medical School have reported that high supplementation with zinc, more than 100 mg/day, increased the incidence of prostate cancer in men more than 2-fold. Zinc supplementation of 100 mg/day or lower did not increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Alpha-Tocopherol and Beta-Carotene Supplementation: A Post-Intervention Follow-Up (8/22/2003)
According to an article recently published in the
Journal of the American Medical Association, alpha-tocopherol appears to significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer, while beta-carotene increases risk of lung cancer and total mortality.
Pilot Study Suggests Lycopene Supplementation May Benefit Localized Prostate Cancer Patients, But More Research Needed (4/29/2003)
According to an article recently published in
Experimental Biology and Medicine, lycopene supplementation prior to surgery may reduce the severity of cancer in prostate cancer patients.
Updated Analysis Suggests Selenium's Anticancer Effects Limited to Patients with Low Selenium Levels (4/29/2003)
According to an article recently published in
Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention, new data from an extended follow-up of the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Trial suggests that selenium significantly reduces lung cancer risk in patients with low baseline selenium levels, but not in other patient populations or overall.
Preoperative Supplementation Improves Results of Surgery in Colorectal Cancer Patients (4/22/2003)
According to an article recently published in the journal
Surgery, presurgical supplementation with arginine, an amino acid, and n-3 fatty acids, a family of essential fatty acids, by colorectal cancer patients appeared to produce significantly improved immune response and fewer postoperative infections.
CAM - Energy Therapies
CAM - Herbal/Plant TherapiesSome Chinese Herbs Reduce Nausea Associated with Chemotherapy (4/3/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Annals of Oncology, treatment with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), as prescribed by a Chinese herbalist, may significantly reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy.
Chinese Herbal Medicine May Increase Effectiveness of Lung Cancer Chemotherapy (1/20/2006)
A combined analysis of 34 studies suggests that Astragalus-based Chinese herbal medicine may increase the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (However, because the quality of several of the evaluated studies was poor, these findings need to be confirmed in well-designed clinical trials.) These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Recent Trends in Use of Herbal and Other Natural Products (3/2/2005)
According to a study recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the popularity of herbal remedies and other natural products has varied over time and usage varies according to sex and age.
Calendula Effective Against Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer (5/7/2004)
Aromatherapy Fails to Reduce Anxiety in Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Treatment (9/18/2003)
According to a study recently published in the
Journal of Clinical Oncology, inhalation of aromatherapy during radiation treatment did not appear to reduce anxiety in cancer patients and may actually increase it.
CAM - Manipulative and Body-Based MethodsEffects of Exercise on Breast Cancer Patients Following Conventional Cancer Treatment (4/3/2003)
According to an article recently published in
Psychooncology, patients were less likely to exercise following treatment for breast cancer and when they did, most did not experience improvements in mood or cancer-related symptoms. Patients did report, however, an improvement in physical functioning with adequate physical activity.
Lifelong Physical Activity Reduces Breast Cancer Risk (2/10/2002)
Women who maintain consistently high activity levels throughout their lives have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than their inactive counterparts, according to the results of a study recently published in the
British Journal of Cancer.
Exercise Reduces Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment (2/10/2002)
Physical exercise can help to reduce some of the negative side effects of breast cancer treatment, according to a study recently published in the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Lack of Physical Activity Appears to Increase Risk for Colorectal Cancer (2/7/2002)
Persons who have a low level of physical activity have an increased risk for developing cancers of the colon and rectum, according to researchers from Switzerland. This news comes as the result of the researchers’ recent study, evaluating the incidence of colon and rectum cancers in association with physical activity, during both work and leisure times.
CAM - Mind-Body InterventionsClinical Hypnosis May Benefit Pediatric Oncology Patients Undergoing Lumbar Punctures (8/22/2003)
According to an article recently published in
The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, hypnosis appears effective in reducing pain and anxiety in children undergoing lumbar punctures, especially if a therapist is present.
Laughter May Boost Immune System (4/22/2003)
According to an article recently published in
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, laughter may reduce stress and increase natural killer cell levels, a type of white blood cell that attacks cancer cells.
Online Support Groups May Benefit Breast Cancer Patients (3/21/2003)
According to a recently published article in the journal
Cancer, breast cancer patients reported experiencing benefits from participating in online support groups. This may be especially important for women living in areas that lack social services, such as small towns or rural communities.
No Evidence That Coping Styles Influence Cancer Outcomes (3/21/2003)
According to a recent article published in the
British Medical Journal, the coping attitude a patient has towards his/her cancer does not appear to affect overall survival or the likelihood of recurrence.
Stress does not Appear to Increase Cancer Recurrences in Women with Breast Cancer (6/18/2002)
According to results recently published in the
British Medical Journal (
BMJ), women with breast cancer leading a stressful life do not have an increase in cancer recurrences compared to other women with breast cancer.
CAM - Nutrition and Special DietsFish Oil Linked to Reduction in Breast Cancer Risk (7/9/2010)
A recent study suggests that regular use of fish oil supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer. These findings were published in the journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Vitamin E and Vitamin C Supplementation Do Not Appear to Prevent Cancer (11/24/2008)
Long-term supplementation with vitamin E and vitamin C may not prevent cancer, according to data from the Physician’s Health Study II that was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Seventh Annual International Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 16, 2008.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Do Not Reduce Risk of Cancer (1/25/2006)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids does not protect against the development of cancer.
High Doses of Vitamin E Associated with Increased Mortality (1/28/2005)
According to a recent article in the Annals of Internal Medicine, high doses of daily vitamin E appear to be associated with higher risks of mortality.
Low-Fat Pre-Teen Diet Linked to Lower Levels of Hormones Associated with Adult Breast Cancer (8/14/2003)
According to a recent article published in the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, adolescent girls who eat a low-fat diet have lower levels of hormones linked to breast cancer in adulthood.
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