The role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in breast cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The earliest description of Cancer was found in the Sung Dynasty (1237AD), the Chinese character of Cancer – “.” was originated from clinical observation of breast cancer. “.” means sickness, “.” represents little holes on the breast surface in peau d’orange due to congestion of the lymphatics, “.” which literally means mountain and indicates the hardness of the tumor. While Western Medicine classifies breast cancer by its pathologic characteristics, TCM employs a holistic approach and based its classification on how the patients react to the illness. There are 4 common types of body reactions in breast cancer: Melancholia of emotions (....), Dysfunction of the Chong and Ren Channel (....), Release of pathogenic factors by ulceration (....), and Weakness in Qi and Blood (....). In TCM, treating breast cancer is seen as a battle between vital-Qi .“.” and pathogenic factors “.” . Besides eliminating pathogenic factors, TCM also aims to support and augment the immune system to enhance cancer killing while minimizing side effects of specific treatments. Herbal prescriptions should be tailor-made to each patient according to its body type and response. In Hong Kong, many patients are increasingly opting for a combined Western and TCM approach to treating breast cancer in the so called Simultaneous Treatment of Superficiality and Origin of Disease (....). After conventional treatment modalities of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, TCM is often given to increase the vital-Qi, to augment immune function, and to minimize adverse reactions caused by the treatments themselves. Many Chinese patients consume medicinal foods with the belief that these might improve their health status, which in turn would suppress tumor activities and reduce recurrences. The most common medicinal foods include edible Bird’s nest . ., Ginseng . ., Chinese Angelica root . ., and Astragalus root. . . However, studies have shown that Chinese Angelica root can induce estrogen secretion and sensitivity of estrogen receptors, which may adversely increase tumor growth. CONCLUSION: As TCM is now widely practiced worldwide as an alternative medicine in cancer treatment. More studies are needed to ascertain the benefits and counter effects of herbal therapy and medicinal foods in the future. PURPOSE: A literature review on the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the management of breast cancer.