Natural health products and cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy
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Doreen Oneschuk Jawaid Younus
Received: 2 October 2007 Accepted in revised form: 4 January 2008 Published online: 29 February 2008
Doreen Oneschuk (쾷) Unit 43, Grey Nuns Hospital, 1100 Youville Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6L 5X8 Canada Tel.: +1.780.735.7247 Fax: +1.780.735.7700 e-mail: [email protected] Doreen Oneschuk Associate Professor, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Jawaid Younus FRCPC, Medical Oncologist, London Regional Cancer Program, Assistant Professor, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
REVIEW
Natural health products and cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Abstract Complementary therapies, notably natural health products such as herbs and vitamins, are frequently used by cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. There is much controversy as to whether these natural health products should be taken during conventional cancer treatments. Supporters of this practice cite beneficial effects of the antioxidant properties, while opponents are concerned about the potential for natural health product-chemotherapy/radiation related negative interactions. This involves understanding the role and effect on metabolizing enzymes. This review will highlight the present evidence for both the beneficial and negative consequences of the use of natural health products during chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Introduction Chemotherapy and radiation therapy remain the most widely adopted approach against a large variety of cancers. The specific chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy have undergone extensive research and trials to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity. When formulating a treatment management plan involving these treatment methods for cancer patients, the health care provider should ask patients about
Key words Natural health products • Herbs • Cancer • Chemotherapy • Radiation therapy
their use of complementary therapies, notably natural health products (NHPs). While these products may have some beneficial effects on cancer cells and reduce chemotoxicity and radiation toxicities, the potential for NHP-drug interactions leading to adverse effects or a reduced efficacy of the conventional theraphy is a cause for concern. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among adult cancer patients is well known. It may vary from 7% to 64% with an average of 31% [1]. Within
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CAM, natural health products are of particular interest, as these products are known to contain medicinal ingredients that may offer potential benefit. However, there is also the potential for multiple drug interactions. Ingested NHPs contain biologically active compounds that include vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathic substances, probiotics, essential fatty acids, and amino acids [2, 3]. Patients may choose to take natural health products (often herbs and vitamins) while receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Some of the herbs and vitamins most often used by cancer patients ar
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