The AP just released a slew of stories on suppliments and cancer. The following sumarizes what are probably acceptable and what are not. Hopefully nobody on this site is suffering from cancer, but if you are I hope this helps.Does alternative medicine help cancer patients? Most herbal and dietary supplements have not been tested rigorously enough to say whether they can help or harm cancer prevention or treatment. However, some non-traditional approaches show promise for easing symptoms. Scientists generally agree on these: MAY HELP Massage Mind-body techniques -- meditation, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy, biofeedback, guided imagery Ginger capsules for chemotherapy nausea Yoga, tai chi Music and art therapy Acupuncture for certain types of nausea, pain, dry mouth and possibly hot flashes DOES NOT HELP OR MAY HARM High doses of vitamins E, A (beta carotene), and possibly C Laetrile Chaparral Shark cartilage Pau d'arco PC-SPES, an herbal concoction for prostate health RISK OF DRUG OR HORMONE INTERACTION St. John's wort (lowers effectiveness of many medicines) Fish oil, garlic, ginger, gingko, feverfew (bleeding risk) Magnesium and thiazide (bad with cisplatin and similar cancer drugs) Red clover, dong quai, licorice (hormonal risk for women on aromatase inhibitors after breast cancer) Folic acid (interferes with the cancer drug methotrexate) Sources: Society for Integrative Oncology, American Dietetic Association, various federal agency Web sites, AP interviews. http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/scitech/2009/06/08/D98MLVE02_us_med_remedies_cancer_tips/index.html
I gave Shelby Essiac when we found out she had cancer. That was 3+ years before we lost her to old age.
We tried all kinds of things during my DH's 6-year fight. There's really no way to tell whether any of it did any good, in an individual case. There are statistics - some large number of people all try the same thing, and there is or is not a difference in length of survival on average - but statistics do not apply to individuals. You just have to try everything you think has a possibility of helping, hope and pray for the best.
Part of the benefit is the belief it will work, which is a significant bonus for many people. Positive attitude can and will go a long way in improving health.
Positive attitude does go a long way, agreed. In our case, we treat the symptoms my husband faces. We try to alleviate discomfort & pain & restlessness associated with chemo & radiation however we can. It's all about quality, isn't it -- so why not try whatever keeps you feeling your best?
