CHICAGO—Studies examining the efficacy of several complementary and alternative treatments for cancer and its side effects were discussed today at a press briefing of the 43
rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
“The use of complementary and alternative medicine to treat cancer and its side effects has been widespread, but there have been few studies designed to scientifically evaluate whether a particular approach is effective,” said Bruce D. Cheson, MD, head of hematology at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Georgetown University Hospital,
and moderator of the press briefing. “Today we report on two dietary supplements that show early promise for helping cancer patients, and another controversial treatment that provides no benefit at all in lung cancer patients.”
Study findings include:
- The herb ginseng may decrease fatigue, one of the most common and debilitating side effects of cancer and its treatment.
- Flaxseed may slow the growth of prostate tumors.
- Adding shark cartilage extract to treatment with standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy does not improve survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
