Herbal And Alternative Treatments For Breast Cancer

Herbal And Alternative Treatments For Breast Cancer
By Mary Hanna

Herbal remedies have been around for for thousands of years.
Now, women with facing chemotherapy and radiation
are supplementing this traditional medicine with herbal remedies
and alternative treatments. They are not abandoning the usual
breast cancer treatment; they are using herbal remedies and
alternative treatments to curb the side effects.

Ginseng has been used by the Chinese for centuries. They
believe that it stimulates the immune system and energies the
patient. There are more than 30 active compounds in the ginseng
root. Many of the compounds are believed to have anti-tumor
properties. In a Chinese study it was found that women who took
ginseng before their diagnosis had a higher survival rate than
the women who took ginseng after their diagnosis. Women have
reported that they have a higher quality of life and suffer less
depression while using ginseng.

There is a mushroom, the Maitake that helps in boosting the
immune system. Here again, in the East this has been used
widely. Lab studies have been done using liquid Maitake extract.
Many researchers believe that the mushrooms contain beta-glucans
which helps to enhance the immune system. They still don't know
why, but they are working on it.

Mistletoe extract has been used in Europe to treat cancer
patients for over 80 years.  It has been shown to kill cancer
cells and boost the immune system. There have been very few
studies done here on mistletoe, but some research is under way
and will be out at the end of this year. Researchers are
studying the safety, the effects on the immune system and its
toxicity.

Acupuncture is especially helpful for nausea and post surgical
pain. Many studies done by research oncologists have shown that
acupuncture was better for women with than the
medication taken to fight nausea. It also helps in loss of
appetite, fatigue and sleep disorders. The AAMA recommends women
with should get acupuncture during their
chemotherapy treatments but only after you have spoken to your
primary doctor.

All doctors and researchers stress

Scientists find a gene that makes cancer spread (Reuters)
Reuters - A single gene appears to play a crucial role in deadly breast cancers, increasing the chances the cancer will spread and making it resistant to chemotherapy, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
Diet tied to survival in breast cancer patients (Reuters)
Reuters - Women with early-stage breast cancer may live longer if they maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy, a new study suggests.
Genes Predict Chances of Breast Cancer's Spread (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 1 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding that could help doctors fine-tune breast cancer treatments even further, a new study confirms that there are genes that increase the likelihood that the disease will spread throughout a woman's body.
High Insulin May Boost Odds of Breast Cancer (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Women with high levels of insulin in their blood appear to be more likely to develop breast cancer than those with lower insulin levels.
High insulin levels may increase breast cancer risk (Reuters)
Reuters - Data from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study show that higher than normal insulin levels are an independent risk factor for breast cancer.
Trying to prevent lymphedema after breast cancer (AP)
AP - Hospitals in about a dozen states are testing whether some simple steps, such as arm-strengthening exercises, could reduce the risk of one of breast cancer's troubling legacies — the painful and sometimes severe arm swelling called lymphedema. Lymphedema has long been a neglected side effect of cancer surgery and radiation: Many women say they never were warned, even though spotting this problem early improves outcomes.
Cancer Medicine Advances on Many Fronts (HealthDay)
HealthDay - TUESDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) -- The war against cancer gathered steam in 2008, as new drugs tackled the toughest cancers with some success, and advances were made in both disease prevention and risk factor identification.
British woman to deliver baby screened for breast cancer (AFP)
AFP - A woman is to give birth this week to the first baby in Britain which has been selected to be free of a gene which greatly increases the risk of breast cancer, experts said.
Obesity raises risk of cancer-related lymphedema (Reuters)
Reuters - Painful swelling of the arm or shoulder area following treatment for breast cancer -- a condition called lymphedema - is more common in women who are overweight or obese than in women of normal weight, researchers have found.
Marital Distress May Affect Breast Cancer Recovery (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Dec. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Marriage problems are associated with poorer outcomes for women with breast cancer, a new U.S. study finds.

that diet and exercise play
a key role in treating cancer. Stick to a diet that is high in
fruits, vegetables and grains. The National Cancer Institute
recommends at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables
per day. Phytochemicals are found in fruits and vegetables and
they prevent cancers in a number of ways. Research shows that
they help in detoxification of carcinogens, DNA repair, boosting
of the immune system and maintenance of cellular control
mechanisms. Obesity plays a role in getting cancer. Change your
diet, eat healthy and go for a walk or ride a bike. This is a
suggestion we should all take to heart.

These alternative methods may well help you through your breast
cancer treatment and perhaps even get you a speedier recovery.
New studies are being done everyday for women with breast
cancer. Discuss these alternative therapies with your Doctor and
always let your physician and your oncologist know about any
therapies you want to take, before you take them. This will make
sure that the alternative therapy won't interfere with your
chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor am I in the medical field.
This is just information that I researched out of curiosity and
the desire to know all of the options available.

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in
your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice,
links and the resource box are unchanged.

About the Author: Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives
in Central Florida. Mary has also published articles on
Cruising, Gardening and Cooking for more information on these
subjects visit http://www.GardeningHerb.com
http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and
http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com

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