<p>The use of complementary and alternative medicine (<sc>cam</sc>), including the ingestion of natural health products (<sc>nhp</sc>s), is common among cancer patients. Of concern to clinicians and patients alike is the possibility that <sc>cam</sc>, used concurrently with biomedical therapy, may interact poorly with that therapy, especially chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Proponents of <sc>nhp</sc>s argue that taking such products can help to reduce the side effects of conventional therapy and can provide an additional anticancer effect. However, opponents insist that the potential for harm is too great to warrant the risk of concurrent administration. There are promising examples of specific <sc>nhp</sc>s that may provide patient benefit even when given in close proximity both to chemotherapy and to radiotherapy, but unfortunately, in part because of a rather limited evidence base, caution is warranted when considering the issue of therapeutic interactions. Strategic application of <sc>nhp</sc>s before or after conventional therapy may be considered; however, concurrent application should be avoided as a general principle until further evidence is available regarding specific interactions.</p>
<fn-group><fn><p>URL: <ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.current-oncology.com/index.php/oncology/article/view/282/247">http://www.current-oncology.com/index.php/oncology/article/view/282/247</ext-link></p></fn><fn><p>*With the increasing national and international popularity and exposure of Current Oncology, the queue of excellent submissions continues to lengthen. After substantial consideration, the journal’s management has determined that the best way to manage this abundance is to move to a “hybrid” of combined print and electronic publication, with every e-manuscript being supported by a full print abstract and key words, and of course, indexing in PubMed for international recognition.</p></fn></fn-group>
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Curr Oncol. 2008 Aug; 15(Suppl 2):s109.es81-s110.es86