Many patients receiving cancer therapy are also self-medicating with complementary or alternative medicines without discussing it with their physicians.
One herb widely used by and recommended to breast cancer patients to ease hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms naturally -- instead of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- is black cohosh. However, a study discovered this herb might alter the way the cancer cells respond to drugs frequently used to treat the cancer. And the results weren't altogether positive ...
Mouse Breast Cancer Cells Shed Some Light
Researchers analyzed an extensively studied mouse breast cancer cell line to learn if commercially available extracts of black cohosh altered the response of cancer cells to radiation and four drugs commonly used in cancer therapy. The results showed that black cohosh:
Increased cell killing by two of the drugs[ (Adriamycin and Taxotere)
Decreased the effectiveness of one drug (Platinol)
Did not alter the effects of radiation or a fourth drug (4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, or 4-HC, an analog of Cytoxan, which is active in cell culture)
Therefore, in light of these findings, researchers advise patients being treated for breast cancer to consult with their physician before using black cohosh.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment April 2005;90(3):233-239
Medical News Today April 27, 2005
The results of this current study certainly create a cause for concern, but I wouldn't start dumping out your bottles of black cohosh just yet.
This study, as well as a previous negative one that was published a few years ago, was done on mice, not humans. Although mice and humans share certain characteristics, their bodies differ in how they react to a number of substances. A number of the positive studies on the use of black cohosh during treatment for breast cancer used human subjects, or human cells.
Obviously further investigation must be carried out in order to reach a definitive conclusion regarding this issue.
Regardless of the results of these future studies, there are a number of other options available that can help you prevent breast cancer and hot flashes. In regard to breast cancer, the following tips are especially important:
Some of the suggestions above may also help reduce your hot flashes, and can certainly help with other menopause-related concerns. Additional hot flash remedies include:
Taking an herbal tincture or tea made from the commonly used herb sage (salvia officinalis) as needed or a half hour before bedtime.
Addressing current or past emotional trauma, which is a frequent reason why adrenal function becomes impaired, is an important way to help balance their function.
Gary Craig's Comment:
We find that cancer often has unresolved emotional issues as a contributing cause. A good example of this is the report I made of seven cancer patients that met with me in my home a year ago. Four of them had obvious improvements.
Gary Craig is a pioneering developer of EFT, a profoundly effective emotional/mental healing approach. I learned it from Gary and have taught it to patients in my clinic for years, and they have experienced truly incredible and permanent results with it.
Read more about Gary Craig's EFT Course.
Related Articles:
The Estrogen Alternative -- Black Cohosh Non-Hormone Approaches to Reduce Hot Flashes Twelve Changes That Will Cut Your Cancer Risk in Half
The Estrogen Alternative -- Black Cohosh
Non-Hormone Approaches to Reduce Hot Flashes
Twelve Changes That Will Cut Your Cancer Risk in Half