Cancer and chemotherapy toxicity
In a randomised controlled study consisting of 123 breast cancer patients, 59 took MA herbal compounds (MA 4 & 5) along with combination chemotherapy (CAF or CMF) and 64 had chemotherapy only and both were followed over 5 cycles of therapy. The MAK group showed reduced vomiting and loss of appetite and no weight loss compared to controls. Other chemotherapy side-effects occurred with similar frequency in both groups. Complete tumour remission was noted in 24 of the MAK group and 20 of the control group. FASEB J 2000; 14(4):A720 (Abstract).
Analysis of health insurance data of participants in the multimodality MVHC program over a 4 year period showed that hospital admissions were 3.3 times less for cancer for the MVHC group compared to the control group (see “other chronic disorders” below). American Journal of Managed Care 1997; 3:135-144.
A randomized controlled study of 62 people receiving chemotherapy for cancer showed reduced toxicity and reduced lipid peroxide in patients given an MA herbal compound (MA 4 & 5) over a 3 month period. 38 were randomly allocated to the receive MAK (30 completed follow up) and 24 to the control group (19 completed follow up). The types of cancer included non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), ovarian cancer, breast cancer, oral cancer, and osteogenic sarcoma. Chemotherapy for NHL included Cycophosamide, Vincristine, Methotrexate, Doxorubicin, Prednisone; for Ovarian cancer - Cisplatinum, Adriamycin, Endoxon; Oral cancer – Cisplatinum, 5FU, Methotrexate; Breast cancer – Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, 5FU; Osteogenic sarcoma – Cisplatinum, Adriamycin. Reduction occurred with haematological toxicity (reduced white cells and platelets), vomiting and diarrhea along with improvement in sleep, weight and overall well-being. Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Cancer Congress, Bologna, Italy: Monduzzi Editore, 1994; 3099-3102.
A study which analysed health insurance data of regular participants of TM over a 5 year period, found that compared to members of the same age and profession, TM practitioners had 55% less hospitalisations for benign and malignant tumours (see “other chronic disorders” below). Psychosomatic Medicine 1987; 49: 493-507.