The Impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicines on Cancer Symptoms, Treatment Side Effects, Quality of Life, and Survival in Women With Breast Cancer—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer amongst women. Women with breast cancer frequently consult dietitians for advice, and increasingly advice on complementary alternative medicines (CAM). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence of CAM administered orally on cancer-related outcomes. Databases were searched for studies recruiting women with a history of breast cancer reporting on the use of CAM administered orally as tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids for any 1 or more of the following: alleviation of cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, improvement to quality of life, physical and emotional wellbeing, survival, and mortality. Twenty-two studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Ten CAM categories were established with no more than 4 articles published in each category. Although the evidence is of varying quality there is some data to support that guarana and Ganoderma lucidum may improve fatigue, whereas glutamine may also be effective in improving oral mucositis symptoms. Overall, the current available evidence is inconclusive to make definitive recommendations regarding the effectiveness for individuals' use of CAM in women with breast cancer. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials exploring safety, toxicity, and other potential adverse effects of CAM are required.

Comparison of anticancer activities of Korean Red Ginseng-derived fractions

“…Thus, there is an emerging need for alternative methods to improve the therapeutic efficacy of conventional treatment modalities [2]. Complementary and alternative medicine, including a wide range of both ancient and modern approaches, have recently gained significant attention for their potential to prevent and treat various diseases, including cancer [3], [4].…”

Barley grass extract causes apoptosis of cancer cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species production

“…Furthermore, certain anti-cancer therapeutic agents that are chemically produced originate from herbal products and their chemical characteristics are modified (7,(12)(13)(14). Typically, patients prefer to take herbal products (15)(16)(17)(18); herbal products have historically been used as traditional medicines, such as traditional Chinese and Korean medicines, Kampo medicines and Ayurvedic medicine (13,14,19). Certain herbal products were demonstrated to treat cancer and/or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment (13,(15)(16)(17)(19)(20)(21).…”

“…Typically, patients prefer to take herbal products (15-18); herbal products have historically been used as traditional medicines, such as traditional Chinese and Korean medicines, Kampo medicines and Ayurvedic medicine (13,14,19). Certain herbal products were demonstrated to treat cancer and/or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment (13,(15)(16)(17)(19)(20)(21). Therefore, herbal products are considered to be promising for cancer prevention and treatment.…”

El Debate Político Sobre Las Terapias Alternativas Y Complementarias en España en La Interfaz Entre Ciencia, Política Y Sociedad (1979-2018)

“…Las TAC consisten en una amplia y diversa gama de técnicas y tratamientos que, al igual que la medicina convencional occidental, no solo se asocian con importantes beneficios para la salud sino también con riesgos (como los efectos secundarios iatrogénicos) así como con el empeoramiento de la salud de los pacientes en el caso de algunas enfermedades graves (Han et al, 2011;Leggett, Koczwara y Miller, 2015;Patel, Kemper y Kitzmiller, 2017;Yun et al, 2013). Sin embargo, al contrario que la medicina convencional, la armonización de los aspectos teóricos y el consiguiente marco regulatorio sigue siendo un desafío relevante a escala global (OMS, 2013), en la Unión Europea (European Parliament, 2017) y, en particular, en el contexto español.…”