[PHNUTR-L] Cancer, Chemotherapy & Natural Health Products: Do They Mix?

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own
opinion. I have no further knowledge of the topic.
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American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) 	  	Released: Wed 
24-Aug-2005, 11:00 ET
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/513934/?sc=dwhp

Cancer, Chemotherapy & Natural Health Products: Do They Mix?


Description
There are more than 200 types of cancer. Conventional treatment for the 
disease includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of 
the three. When chemotherapy is required, patients frequently suffer 
severe side effects. Is there a role for natural health products in 
helping manage the side effects and capabilities of chemotherapy?


Newswise — There are more than 200 types of cancer, according to the 
Cancer Research Organization (UK). Conventional treatment for the 
disease includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of 
the three. When chemotherapy (the use of drugs often injected 
intravenously to destroy the cancer cells) is required, patients 
frequently suffer side effects such as nausea and vomiting, hair loss, 
infection, and injury to the gastrointestinal tract. Is there a role for 
natural health products in helping manage the side effects and 
capabilities of chemotherapy? Like many complex issues, there is no 
“yes” or “no” answer, but with the assistance of an expert in the field, 
there is some insight.

Presentation
To shed light on the status of existing research and discuss his 
observations, Dugald Seely, N.D., MSc. (Cand.) will deliver his remarks 
entitled, “Cancer, Chemotherapy and Natural Health Products: Do They 
Mix?” at the 20th Annual Convention of the American Association of 
Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) (http://www.naturopathic.org/), being 
held at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix, AZ, August 24-27, 2005. Dr. 
Seely is a research fellow at the Canadian College of Naturopathic 
Medicine’s Department of Clinical Epidemiology where he is involved in 
establishing the safety and efficacy of natural health products and 
therapies used by naturopathic physicians. He is also a member of the 
Oncology Association of Naturopathic Medicine and is involved in 
developing clinical trials and research methodologies to assess 
naturopathic, complementary and alternative medicine.

Demonstrated Results for Chemotherapy, Herbal Products and Side Effects
Dr. Seely suggests that some natural herbal products (NHPs) should not 
be consumed when undergoing certain types of chemotherapy. He has 
summarized research studies conducted to date that determined the 
following about certain natural products:

Some Natural Health Products to Be Avoided During Chemotherapy

* Kava: To be avoided if liver disease exists.
* Soy: To be avoided with the use of tamoxifen, and certain types of 
breast and endometrial cancers.
* St. John’s Wort: To be avoided with all types of chemotherapy as it 
has been shown to change the metabolism of many drugs.

Natural Herbal Products That May Aid in Treatment/Effects Of Chemotherapy

* Melatonin may aid in the effectiveness, and ginger, and chamomile may 
help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
* No significant interactions have been found to occur when saw 
palmetto, black cohosh, or cranberries are consumed during chemotherapy.

Nevertheless, Seely recommends to cease taking most herbal medications 
three days prior to a chemotherapy treatment and not to recommence until 
two days following treatment.

Research Continues
Research into the relationship between chemotherapy and herbal products 
is continuing. Research is now underway at the Toronto Hospital for Sick 
Children, involving the effectiveness of select herbal products in 
improving the efficacy of treatment in children. Work is also ongoing at 
the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine to assess the 
effectiveness and safety of natural health products in cancer with or 
without combination with chemotherapy and other conventional therapies. 
Recent research in oncology at the college has focused on green tea for 
the prevention of breast cancer recurrence and the use of melatonin for 
improving survival in numerous types of cancer.

Effect of Natural Herbal Products On New Cancer Fighting Strategies
New ways to fight cancer involve targeting the genetic instability of 
the DNA, improving the patient’s immune response, reducing nutrient 
delivery to cancer cells, and slowing or eliminating the abnormal growth 
signals within the cancer cells. According to Seely, bromelain (from 
pineapple extract) and astragalus have been shown to positively impact 
the immune system. In addition, green tea may slow the delivery of 
nutrients to cancer cells by inhibiting the formation of new blood 
vessels (angiogenesis).

Demonstrated Effectiveness of Natural Herbal Products on Site-Specific 
Cancers
A number of NHPs have demonstrated potential to reduce the growth and 
development of site specific cancers. In the case of breast cancer, 
bromelain, curcumin, and Vitamin A show the potential to help combat 
cancer. In the case of colon, prostate and lung cancer, curcumin may be 
an effective deterrent. Vitamin A has also shown beneficial effects 
against leukemia cell lines.

Chemopreventive Foods
While controversy exists about the beneficial role of natural health 
products in chemotherapy, many food items show the ability to help 
prevent cancer. These products include: anise, artichokes, basil, 
berries, carrots, cloves, coriander, cruciferous vegetables, fennel, 
garlic, ginger, pomegranate, red chili, red grapes, fish, rosemary, 
soybeans, green tea, tomato, turmeric, and oleander. Along with an 
organic whole foods diet, Seely recommends them to reduce the risk of 
preventable cancer.

Conclusion
Some herbal products may be used with, but never as a replacement for, 
conventional therapeutic treatment. Before consuming herbal products, 
patients must consult with a qualified health care provider. Individuals 
seeking help from naturopathic-trained physicians specializing in 
oncology can log on to http://www.oncanp.org, the website for the 
Oncology Association of Naturopathic Medicine. These practitioners have 
specialized training in oncology beyond naturopathic medical school 
required for admission.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) was founded 
in 1985 to provide alternative methods for healing human diseases and 
disorders than have been traditionally offered in the United States. 
Members of the AANP must have graduated from one of North America’s six 
accredited graduate schools of naturopathic medicine and served a 
clinical residency.

For more information about naturopathic physicians, log on to
http://www.naturopathic.org/.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
"Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
"Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy"
http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/