Earlier this year a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reported, “saw palmetto did not improve symptoms or objective measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia.” The results were interesting in light of the fact that the weight of the medical literature supports the value of saw palmetto for this condition.
The use of CAM is widespread in this group of patients. The Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland reports between 66% and 84% ? the majority of whom use CAM without a recommendation from their doctor.
The most common reasons for the use of CAM among women with breast cancer is to reduce the symptoms of psychological distress. Whereas, the lowest frequency of CAM use is associated with dissatisfaction with traditional medical care.
Relaxation/meditation, herbs, spiritual healing, nutritional supplements, and megavitamins were also mentioned by the patients in these surveys.
Based on an earlier post, perhaps CAM should be considered in the early post operative phase or even presurgery.
7/30/06 16:09 JR
The New England Journal of Medicine published an article in 1999 that made an erroneous association between poorer psychological outcomes in women post breast cancer surgery and their use of CAM.
Here’s the summary quote (my italics). Note the emphasis in the NEJM study on assessment before surgery, while others focus on post surgical assessment results.
“Mental health scores were similar at base line among women who decided to use alternative medicine and those who did not, but three months after surgery the use of alternative medicine was independently associated with depression, fear of recurrence of cancer, lower scores for mental health and sexual satisfaction, and more physical symptoms as well as symptoms of greater intensity.”
The problem with the study was that these 480 patients with newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer were recruited from a Massachusetts statewide cohort of women participating in a study of how women choose treatment for cancer.
Even back then it was recognized that the response to surgery varies among women. Some experience a strong sense of loss and need time to grieve. Others need time to adjust to an altered body image. Many patients feel a sense of relief following surgery, but worries about the long-term prognosis and follow-up therapy can cause added anxiety.
More recently, investigators found that the process of “denial coping” following surgery is a powerful predictor of future health fears. They concluded that there is a need to identify the interventions that can decrease this denial, and whether this then decreases health fears in the aftermath of breast cancer surgery.
7/30/06 16:44 JR
The trial of alternative medicine practitioner Dr. Matthias Rath started last week in Hamburg. Dr. Rath advocates a vitamin treatment to cure cancer. In this case a 9-year-old boy with bone cancer died after he [Dr. Rath] convinced the boy’s parents to use a “miracle cure” rich in vitamins and to reject conventional medical treatments.
The child’s mother, Anke Feld, tells a bizarre story of conspiracy among physicians, conventional medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry in which her son was a pawn. She believes her son “died as a result of the numerous clinical and medical errors and the negligence with which our son was treated in the different hospitals.”
Dr. Rath, whom Ms. Feld thanks for his support and guidance, is the founder of Cellular Medicine, which his website describes as a groundbreaking concept that identifies nutritional deficiencies at the cellular level as a root cause of many chronic diseases. A critical view of him is provided here.
7/28/06 15:32 JR
The Food and Drug Administration approved Anthelios SX today. It is a moisturizer and sun blocker from L’Oreal.
Anthelios SX will contains avobenzone (blocks UVA) and octocrylenem (blocks UVB). Both ingredients are already found in sunscreens sold in the U.S. What’s new about Anthelios SX is that it will also contain ecamsule, which blocks short UVA and has not previously been sold in the U.S. Ecamsule has been marketed in Europe and Canada as Mexoryl SX since 1993.
UVA rays account for approximately 95% of all ultraviolet energy. They can cause permanent damage to DNA. UVA passes through glass, and the effects do not show right away. By comparison, UVB rays cause sunburn but do not penetrate as deeply as UVA rays.
The product will be available in the fall, just in time for ski season.
7/24/06 15:03 JR
Earlier this month this site discussed trans fats, including the initiative to make Chicago the first major city in the country to go trans fat free. Now, The New York Times has published an article on alderman Edward Burke and his proposal.
Chicago’s representatives are a “progressive” lot. They forbid restaurants from selling foie gras and may force cabbies to dress better. However, one major obstacle stands in the way. Mayor Richard Daley thinks it’s one rule too many. With such formidable opposition, Mr. Burke’s proposal may languish.
If you have an opinion contact the mayor at his office via facsimile: 312-744-8045. Or, send an email.
7/23/06 09:35 JR
Medscape has a summary of presentations from this year’s Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting, which is the world’s largest gathering of physicians and researchers who specialize in diseases of the intestines and liver.
One presentation looked at the role of biofeedback in patients with functional constipation. Among 60 patients studied, the group treated with biofeedback had a significant reduction in straining, feelings of incomplete evacuation, bloating, and laxative use.
Functional constipation, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation, is a rare condition that occurs most often in women and may be related to problems in hormone function or with nerves and muscles in the colon, rectum, or anus.
7/20/06 10:29 JR
Do you have vacation time coming in 2006? Herbalgram.org has listed the 2006 events calendar. Rather than the same Caribbean vacation or week at the Jersey shore, consider linking your vacation to a CAM meeting.
Here’s one that makes my tastebuds tingle.
July 30-Aug 5: Wild Foods Mountain Retreat. A week-long program in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Forage for wild edible and medicinal plants, and prepare tasty and nutritional meals.
Hmm, Hmm, Hmm.
Other must attend meetings.
October 16-17: First International Symposium on Pomegranate and Minor Mediterranean Fruits. Adana, Turkey.
or
October 28-30: The 2nd Internatiomal Symposium on Saffron Biology and Technology (ISSBT). Mashhad, Iran.
Do you think CAM is becoming too specialized?
Want to see more? Go to the Herbalgram.org website.
7/18/06 13:20 JR
? Copyright ? 2006, The MedCom Resource, Inc. www.MedComRes.com
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