Complementary and alternative treatments for cancer: Some help you, others hurt you : Cancer

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General Health : Cancer

Last Updated: Oct 6, 2009 - 12:07:30 PM

Complementary and alternative treatments for cancer: Some help you, others hurt you
By usadruglistinfo
Apr 1, 2005 - 5:01:00 PM

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Complementary and alternative treatments for cancer: Some help you, others hurt you

Shark cartilage, mistletoe and megadoses of vitamin C may seem unrelated. But if you have cancer, you might have heard of these treatments through magazine articles, Web sites, or friends and family members. These are just a few of the many types of cancer therapy that fall in the realm of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Although the terms complementary and alternative are often used interchangeably, alternative approaches are not the same as complementary approaches. Complementary approaches are those used alongside of and in conjunction with your prescribed cancer treatments, while alternative treatments are used in place of traditional or conventional treatments.

It's not unusual for you to want to know more about CAM, especially if your recommended therapy is particularly difficult to endure or doesn't promise your desired results. The longer you have cancer, the more likely you are to start searching for other options. About one third of people with cancer have tried one or more CAM options, which can include everything from herbs and vitamins to acupuncture and hypnosis.

Keep in mind as you research CAM that some therapies may improve your quality of life and others, even if used correctly, can harm you. Approach CAM therapy with an open, yet cautious mind-set. Gather as much information as you can and discuss with your doctor any treatments you're considering.

Cure or comfort?

Most people with cancer who use CAM don't expect the treatments to cure their cancer. They may use complementary and alternative medicine to treat the pain associated with their cancer and control the side effects of medication, such as chemotherapy.

You'll probably find advertisements that claim a particular CAM product or therapy will cure your cancer. Don't believe it. CAM doesn't cure cancer. If it did, everyone would be using it. Even so, some people with cancer forgo their conventional treatment and spend thousands of dollars trying questionable or ineffective therapy.

Giving up on conventional medication that has been proven to help people with cancer can be risky and even deadly. Avoid alternative therapists who pressure you to give up the treatment your doctor recommends. Your doctor can discuss with you the pros and cons of conventional therapy as well as which CAM therapies are safe to try for your particular situation.

Therapies marketed as cancer treatment

Numerous CAM therapies are marketed specifically to individuals with cancer. Get as much information as you can before trying any of them, and discuss those you're interested in with your doctor.

The following products and therapies are often associated with cancer treatment:

Nutrition and herbs
Nutritional therapy and herbal therapy are often touted as "natural," which might sound appealing. But "natural" doesn't always means safe. Talk to your doctor about how these options might complement or interfere with your current cancer treatment.

Antioxidant supplements. Antioxidants occur naturally in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and some meat. Some studies have reported that antioxidants may slow cancer growth in the test tube, but no proof exists that this occurs in humans. Doctors aren't sure if supplements — sometimes with antioxidant levels thousands of times higher than those found in food — are as safe as food sources of antioxidants. These supplements might interfere with your cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, and could be dangerous. One study showed that smokers who used antioxidant supplements had a higher risk of lung cancer than those who didn't use the supplements.
Essiac. Essiac is an herbal tea mixture that has been touted to relieve pain and reduce the size of tumors. The original formula contained four herbs: burdock root, Indian rhubarb root, sheep sorrel and slippery elm. Some newer products and knockoffs have other herbs added as well. Though some early tests have shown that chemicals in the herbs used in Essiac have some antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer activity, Essiac hasn't been proven to have any effect on cancer.
Laetrile (amygdalin). Taken orally or as an injection, laetrile is a purified form of amygdalin, a chemical found in lima beans, raw nuts and the pits of many fruits. Amygdalin produces cyanide, which proponents claim kills cancer. But laetrile hasn't been proven to work and has even caused death.
Macrobiotic diet. Though the macrobiotic philosophy incorporates diet, exercise, stress reduction and avoidance of pesticides, the diet part is the most commonly followed. The macrobiotic diet is strictly vegetarian and requires you to consume about half of your daily calories from whole grains, about a quarter of your calories from vegetables, and the rest of your calories from beans, seaweed and soups. The macrobiotic diet is marketed for both prevention and treatment of cancer, though no proof exists that it does either. Eating plenty of vegetables can reduce your risk of cancer, but how much you should eat or which vegetables you should choose is unknown.
Megavitamin treatments. Megavitamin treatments usually combine high doses of vitamins A, C and E — sometimes requiring you to take hundreds of pills a day. All of these vitamins are an important part of a balanced diet for anyone. But if you already eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, you probably get enough of these vitamins without taking supplements. Too much vitamin A, C or E can even be dangerous and can interfere with your cancer treatment.
Mistletoe. Mistletoe injections are given two to three times a week. They're used mostly in Europe and aren't available in the United States. Mistletoe extracts have been shown to kill some cancer cells in laboratory and animal experiments, but no studies have reported any evidence of activity against cancer in humans.

Detoxifying treatments

Proponents claim that detoxification treatments clear your body of harmful substances. They also claim that detoxification treatments stimulate your immune system to attack the cancer in your body. But detoxification therapy can be invasive and dangerous.

Most people with cancer have a functioning immune system, so the need to further stimulate it is unnecessary. And because cancer cells seem to hide from normal immune systems, stimulating your immune system won't help your body fight off your cancer. Also, no evidence exists to support the theory that removing "harmful substances" affects cancer.

Colon therapy. Colon therapy removes waste from your colon through a process that proponents believe will improve your natural healing abilities. During a high colonic, a plastic tube is inserted through your rectum and into your colon. Up to 20 gallons of liquid — usually water, herbal solutions or coffee — is pumped into your large intestine. This is repeated several times. No evidence exists to support the use of colon therapy, and treatment can cause infection and mineral and electrolyte imbalances that can be dangerous.
Gerson therapy. The Gerson therapy uses minerals, enzymes and hormones to detoxify and cleanse your body. The therapy requires that you consume 13 glasses of organic fruit and vegetable juice every day. You must also follow a vegetarian diet and have coffee or chamomile enemas. No conclusive proof of the Gerson therapy's effect on cancer is available.
Gonzalez treatment. The Gonzalez treatment incorporates special diets, supplements, pancreatic enzymes and coffee enemas to treat cancer. Together, all of these treatments are supposed to cleanse your body and stimulate your immune system. Proponents believe that the main anti-cancer component in this regimen is pig pancreas enzymes. The Gonzalez treatment is highly controversial but showed some promise in a small study. It's currently being investigated in a larger study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.

Chemical and animal-based treatments

These treatments are based on chemicals or components that come from humans or animals.

714-X. This treatment is a solution of camphor, nitrogen, ammonium salts and ethanol. It's purported to stabilize your immune system so your body regains its ability to fight your cancer. It can be injected or inhaled. No scientific proof exists of 714-X's effectiveness, and it isn't available in the United States.
Antineoplastons. Proponents claim that antineoplaston therapy causes tumor cells to die by stopping some of the processes involved in their growth. Antineoplastons are isolated from horse urine and are taken orally or by injection. Trials of antineoplaston therapy haven't shown any anti-cancer activity. Several more clinical trials of antineoplaston therapy are currently underway.
Cancell (Entelev, Cantron, Jim's Juice, Crocinic Acid). Cancell is a dark brown liquid that is taken orally or rectally, or applied to your wrist or foot. Its manufacturers say it changes cancer cells so that your body recognizes them as foreign and eventually destroys them. Cancell contains 12 compounds, including inositol, nitric acid, sodium sulfite, potassium hydroxide, sulfuric acid and catechol. No proof exists that the compounds cure cancer. Cancell has never been scientifically tested on people.
Coenzyme Q10. Your body naturally produces coenzymes to help stimulate chemical reactions in your body. Q10 refers to the particular chemical makeup of this coenzyme. Proponents of coenzyme Q10 believe that people with cancer and other conditions have lower levels of coenzyme Q10, though no evidence of this exists. When you take coenzyme Q10, either as an injection or a pill, it may act as an antioxidant and stimulate your immune system. No definitive studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 has any effect on cancer.
Shark cartilage. Proponents believe that shark cartilage stops a tumor's growth by preventing it from growing new blood vessels (angiogenesis). The rationale behind this theory is the belief that sharks don't get cancer, although that has since been proven false. Some anti-tumor substances have been found in cartilage, though, and shark cartilage has been used in clinical trials. The Food and Drug Administration found no conclusive evidence that shark cartilage works and recommends against using shark cartilage as a cancer treatment. Clinical trials using substances isolated from shark cartilage are currently underway.

Therapy to treat side effects of medication

Some cancer treatments can cause pain, nausea and weakness. Your doctor might recommend conventional medications or CAM therapies, such as acupuncture or massage. These types of therapy aren't specific to cancer and can treat pain and side effects of many other conditions, as well.

In general, these treatments aren't invasive, making them safer than other CAM treatments. Still, talk to your doctor about these types of therapy before using them.

Acupuncture. In this treatment, tiny needles are inserted into your skin to stimulate your body's natural energy or Qi (pronounced "chee"). By restoring the natural flow of Qi, acupuncture is supposed to help your body heal itself. Acupuncture has been effective in treating pain and nausea in some people with cancer.
Aromatherapy. Proponents believe that fragrant oils from plants can affect your mood. About 40 oils are commonly used in aromatherapy. They can be smelled at home or at a spa, or applied as oil during a massage. Though little proof of its benefit exists, aromatherapy is said to help pain, depression and stress and promote a general sense of well-being.
Hypnotherapy. This relaxation method effectively relieves some chronic pain, and it may also reduce nausea and vomiting in people with cancer. Although you may look like you're asleep during hypnosis, you actually go into a state of deep concentration. While you're under hypnosis, your practitioner may suggest you focus on goals, such as controlling your pain and reducing your stress.
Massage therapy. During a massage, your practitioner kneads your skin, muscles and tendons in an effort to relieve muscle tension and stress and promote relaxation. Several massage methods exist, and the length and force of your massage will vary depending on which method you choose. If you're currently receiving conventional chemotherapy, check with your doctor before undergoing certain types of massage. If you have a low platelet count because of chemotherapy, deep massage can cause bleeding or bruising. Certain types of massage and spinal manipulation can also be unsafe if the bones in your back or neck have been weakened by cancer.
Therapeutic touch. Touch therapy practitioners claim to use their hands to transmit "energy forces" that can heal the energy force that runs through you. By moving their hands back and forth across your body, they claim to be able to locate and remove your energy force disturbances. Practitioners believe this reduces pain and encourages relaxation.
Many other types of CAM are promoted for pain relief. They include homeopathy, reflexology, relaxation, spirituality, and art and music therapy.

Talk to your doctor

Discuss any CAM therapy you might be interested in with your doctor. Some therapies might interfere with your conventional treatment, such as preventing your current medication from helping you.

Though you might be hesitant to discuss unconventional treatments with your doctor, keep in mind that it's natural to be curious about other therapies. Your doctor will understand and might also be able to give you more information on CAM.

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