One of the most widely used herbs in Asian medicine, ginseng, appears to provide a number of beneficial effects for women following a diagnosis of breast cancer. The findings, by researchers at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, are reported in the latest American Journal of Epidemiology. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the two main classes of ginseng - red and white - have different biological effects. White (unprocessed) ginseng is used over long periods to promote general health, while red (processed) ginseng provides a much stronger effect; and is typically used for short periods to aid in recovery from a disease. Xiao-Ou Shu, the Vanderbilt researcher behind this latest study, said that both varieties of ginseng contain chemicals known as ginsenosides, which have anti-tumor effects in cell culture and animal studies, suggesting that the herbs may provide specific benefits to cancer patients. Despite their long history in traditional medicine, western doctors have been less captivated with such preparations. "There is a lot of skepticism about herbal medicine," said Shu. "That is why we are taking the observational approach at this time to see whether there is any efficacy. If so, we can go to the next phase."
The new study assessed the effects of ginseng use in breast cancer survivors as part of a large epidemiological study, which followed 1,455 breast cancer patients. Shu evaluated breast cancer patients for ginseng use both before and after their diagnosis of breast cancer. All patients who used ginseng had also received at least one type of conventional cancer therapy (surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy).
The researchers found that about a quarter of patients reported using ginseng regularly before diagnosis. After diagnosis, that percentage jumped to 63 percent. They also found significant improvements in both survival and quality of life measures in patients who used ginseng. "When patients used ginseng prior to diagnosis, they tended to have higher survival," Shu explained. "Ginseng use after cancer diagnosis was related to improved quality of life."
Shu says that the findings suggest that ginseng may provide real benefits to breast cancer survivors, but cautioned that there were limitations to the study. She cited the varieties and the methods of ginseng use and the use of other complementary and alternative therapies, as potentially skewing the analysis.
Shu also warned that the seemingly innocuous root can create problems when improperly used and should be taken with caution. "It's not a 'drug' in terms of being managed by the FDA, but it was used as a drug in traditional Chinese medicine," she said. "Any drug may have some side effects and may interact with other drugs. So, discuss with your primary care doctor before you decide to take ginseng roots or products."
Source: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
