The Impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicines on Cancer Symptoms, Treatment Side Effects, Quality of Life, and Survival in Women With Breast Cancer—A Systematic Review

Leggett, S.

Koczwara, B.

Miller, M.

Nutrition & Cancer

2015

67(3)

373-391

Systematic Review

BREAST tumors -- Diagnosis

ALTERNATIVE medicine -- Evaluation

Acupuncture

BREAST tumors

Databases

DIETARY supplements

Ginseng

Glutamine

HERBAL medicine

INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems -- Medical care

MEDICAL protocols

CHINESE medicine

Medline

META-analysis

Nutrition

ONLINE information services

PROFESSIONAL associations

QUALITY of life

Survival

Yoga

RESEARCH subjects (Persons)

CROSS-sectional method

PATIENT selection

Symptoms

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer amongst women. Women with breast cancer frequently consult dietitians for advice, and increasingly advice on complementary alternative medicines (CAM). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence of CAM administered orally on cancer-related outcomes. Databases were searched for studies recruiting women with a history of breast cancer reporting on the use of CAM administered orally as tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids for any 1 or more of the following: alleviation of cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, improvement to quality of life, physical and emotional wellbeing, survival, and mortality. Twenty-two studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Ten CAM categories were established with no more than 4 articles published in each category. Although the evidence is of varying quality there is some data to support that guarana and Ganoderma lucidum may improve fatigue, whereas glutamine may also be effective in improving oral mucositis symptoms. Overall, the current available evidence is inconclusive to make definitive recommendations regarding the effectiveness for individuals’ use of CAM in women with breast cancer. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials exploring safety, toxicity, and other potential adverse effects of CAM are required.

Accession Number: 101869121; Source Information: Apr2015, Vol. 67 Issue 3, p373; Subject Term: BREAST tumors -- Diagnosis; Subject Term: ALTERNATIVE medicine -- Evaluation; Subject Term: ACUPUNCTURE; Subject Term: BREAST tumors; Subject Term: DATABASES; Subject Term: DIETARY supplements; Subject Term: GINSENG; Subject Term: GLUTAMINE; Subject Term: HERBAL medicine; Subject Term: INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems -- Medical care; Subject Term: MEDICAL protocols; Subject Term: CHINESE medicine; Subject Term: MEDLINE; Subject Term: META-analysis; Subject Term: NUTRITION; Subject Term: ONLINE information services; Subject Term: PROFESSIONAL associations; Subject Term: QUALITY of life; Subject Term: SURVIVAL; Subject Term: YOGA; Subject Term: RESEARCH subjects (Persons); Subject Term: CROSS-sectional method; Subject Term: PATIENT selection; Subject Term: SYMPTOMS; Subject Term: ; Number of Pages: 19p; ; Document Type: Article;

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