- Date:
- February 25, 2016
- Source:
- American Technion Society
- Summary:
- Nearly two-thirds of the herbal medicines used by cancer patients in the Middle East have potential negative effects, a new study indicates. Among the remedies found to pose risks are gingko biloba, green tea, turmeric and black cumin.
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FULL STORY
Nearly two-thirds of the herbal
medicines used by cancer patients in the Middle East have potential
health risks, according to a new survey led by Assistant Professor Eran
Ben-Arye, of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.
The study published in the journal Cancer concludes that
herbal remedies such as turmeric may increase the toxic effects of
certain chemotherapies, while gingko biloba and green teas could
increase the risks of bleeding in some cancer patients. Other herbs
including black cumin and turmeric can alter the effectiveness of
chemotherapy.
The study focused on cancer patients in the Middle East. In all, 29 of the 44 most popular herbal medicines used in 16 Middle Eastern countries -- from Turkey to Tunisia -- could pose one or more health risks to cancer patients in the region.
"In the Middle East, herbs are commonly used as part of traditional medicine, based on the impressive affinity of the people here to the herbal heritage that continuously prospers from the time of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia," Ben-Arye said.
The findings come from a survey conducted by Ben-Arye and colleagues, who asked more than 300 cancer care providers in the countries about the kinds of herbal medicines their patients were using. They found that 57% of the providers had patients who used at least one herbal remedy. Women and Muslim providers were more likely to report having patients who used the herbs.
Although many patients use the herbs without telling their physicians, in this study Ben-Arye and colleagues wanted to focus on cancer care providers who are aware of their patients' herbal supplement use. In general, Middle Eastern cancer care providers have a skeptical view of these alternative medicines, Ben-Arye said. However, his studies show that the providers also support the idea of having a physician consultant on a patient's cancer care team who can speak to the "the effectiveness and safety of these herbal practices along with conventional cancer treatments," he noted.
Patients feel similarly, Ben-Arye suggested. "In the majority of cases, patients seek to combine the best of the two worlds and do not perceive herbal medicine as a real alternative to modern oncology care."
Patients most often turn to the herbs to enhance their quality of life and to cope better with the effects of their treatment, Ben-Arye added, rather than use them in an attempt to cure their cancers.
The countries in the survey with the highest rates of herbal medicine use included Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and Qatar. Stinging nettle, garlic, black cumin and turmeric were among the most used herbs, with other items such as camel's milk and honey also making the list.
The researchers hope the new study will guide cancer care providers as they offer "open, non-judgmental" advice about the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines.
"The majority of patients would hope to share their experience and questions of herbal option with their health care provider 'at home' within the oncology department rather than 'outside' where non-professionals and sometimes charlatans suggest miraculous potions," Ben-Arye said.
The study focused on cancer patients in the Middle East. In all, 29 of the 44 most popular herbal medicines used in 16 Middle Eastern countries -- from Turkey to Tunisia -- could pose one or more health risks to cancer patients in the region.
"In the Middle East, herbs are commonly used as part of traditional medicine, based on the impressive affinity of the people here to the herbal heritage that continuously prospers from the time of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia," Ben-Arye said.
The findings come from a survey conducted by Ben-Arye and colleagues, who asked more than 300 cancer care providers in the countries about the kinds of herbal medicines their patients were using. They found that 57% of the providers had patients who used at least one herbal remedy. Women and Muslim providers were more likely to report having patients who used the herbs.
Although many patients use the herbs without telling their physicians, in this study Ben-Arye and colleagues wanted to focus on cancer care providers who are aware of their patients' herbal supplement use. In general, Middle Eastern cancer care providers have a skeptical view of these alternative medicines, Ben-Arye said. However, his studies show that the providers also support the idea of having a physician consultant on a patient's cancer care team who can speak to the "the effectiveness and safety of these herbal practices along with conventional cancer treatments," he noted.
Patients feel similarly, Ben-Arye suggested. "In the majority of cases, patients seek to combine the best of the two worlds and do not perceive herbal medicine as a real alternative to modern oncology care."
Patients most often turn to the herbs to enhance their quality of life and to cope better with the effects of their treatment, Ben-Arye added, rather than use them in an attempt to cure their cancers.
The countries in the survey with the highest rates of herbal medicine use included Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and Qatar. Stinging nettle, garlic, black cumin and turmeric were among the most used herbs, with other items such as camel's milk and honey also making the list.
The researchers hope the new study will guide cancer care providers as they offer "open, non-judgmental" advice about the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines.
"The majority of patients would hope to share their experience and questions of herbal option with their health care provider 'at home' within the oncology department rather than 'outside' where non-professionals and sometimes charlatans suggest miraculous potions," Ben-Arye said.
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by American Technion Society. The original item was written by Kevin Hattori. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by American Technion Society. The original item was written by Kevin Hattori. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Eran Ben-Arye, Noah Samuels, Lee Hilary Goldstein, Kamer Mutafoglu, Suha Omran, Elad Schiff, Haris Charalambous, Tahani Dweikat, Ibtisam Ghrayeb, Gil Bar-Sela, Ibrahim Turker, Azza Hassan, Esmat Hassan, Bashar Saad, Omar Nimri, Rejin Kebudi, Michael Silbermann. Potential risks associated with traditional herbal medicine use in cancer care: A study of Middle Eastern oncology health care professionals. Cancer, 2016; 122 (4): 598 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.29796
Cite This Page:
American
Technion Society. "Researchers uncover risks of some herbal medicines
for cancer patients." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 February 2016.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160225090125.htm>.
Cancer. 2016 Feb 15;122(4):598-610. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29796. Epub 2015 Nov 24.
Potential risks associated with traditional herbal medicine use in cancer care: A study of Middle Eastern oncology health care professionals.
Ben-Arye E1,2, Samuels N1,3, Goldstein LH4, Mutafoglu K5, Omran S6, Schiff E7,8, Charalambous H9, Dweikat T10, Ghrayeb I11, Bar-Sela G12, Turker I13, Hassan A14, Hassan E15, Saad B16,17, Nimri O18, Kebudi R19, Silbermann M20.
Author information
- 1Integrative
Oncology Program, The Oncology Service and Lin Medical Center, Clalit
Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Israel.
- 2Complementary
and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty
of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
- 3Tal Center for Integrative Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
- 4Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.
- 5Center for Palliative Care Research and Education, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti Izmir, Turkey.
- 6Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
- 7Department of Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine Service, Bnai-Zion Hospital, Haifa, Israel.
- 8Department
for Complementary Medicine, Law and Ethics, The International Center
for Health, Law and Ethics, Haifa University, Israel.
- 9Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- 10Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- 11Makassed Charitable Hospital, East Jerusalem, Israel.
- 12Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
- 13Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
- 14National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Doha, Qatar.
- 15Botany Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
- 16Qasemi Research Center, Al-Qasemi Academy, Baqa El-Gharbia, Israel.
- 17Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Arab American University, Jenin, Palestinian Authority.
- 18Department of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
- 19Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- 20Middle East Cancer Consortium, Haifa, Israel.
- 1Integrative Oncology Program, The Oncology Service and Lin Medical Center, Clalit Health Services, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Israel.
- 2Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
- 3Tal Center for Integrative Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
- 4Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.
- 5Center for Palliative Care Research and Education, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti Izmir, Turkey.
- 6Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
- 7Department of Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine Service, Bnai-Zion Hospital, Haifa, Israel.
- 8Department for Complementary Medicine, Law and Ethics, The International Center for Health, Law and Ethics, Haifa University, Israel.
- 9Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- 10Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- 11Makassed Charitable Hospital, East Jerusalem, Israel.
- 12Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
- 13Dr. A.Y Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
- 14National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Doha, Qatar.
- 15Botany Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
- 16Qasemi Research Center, Al-Qasemi Academy, Baqa El-Gharbia, Israel.
- 17Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Arab American University, Jenin, Palestinian Authority.
- 18Department of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
- 19Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- 20Middle East Cancer Consortium, Haifa, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
METHODS:
RESULTS:
CONCLUSIONS:
© 2015 American Cancer Society.
KEYWORDS:
complementary traditional medicine; drug-herb interaction; integrative medicine; physician-patient communication; quality of lifeComment in
- Herbal medicines safety concerns in patients with cancer. [Lancet Oncol. 2016]
