Pragmatic Evidence-Based Guide to Using Chinese Herbs for Cancer Patients

Yoon Hang John Kim^1*, Wendy Luo¹ & Kirsten West²

¹Integrative Health Program, Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, Kansas
²Naturemed Integrative Medicine, Boulder, Colorado

Dr. Yoon Hang John Kim, Integrative Health Program, Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, Kansas

Keywords: Chinese Herbs; Oncology; Acupuncture; Chemotherapy

Abstract

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently endorsed the use of integrative medicine in the management of breast cancer patients as proposed by the Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO). The SIO clinical guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the use of integrative medicine during and after conventional therapies. SIO clinical practice guideline was against any use of ingested dietary supplements to manage breast cancer treatment-related adverse effects. However, in Japan, Korea, and China, there is a long history of using Chinese herbs in cancer patients with increasing evidence documenting of potential benefits. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to provide a pragmatic, evidenced based clinical guideline on how to safely use Chinese herbs in cancer patients undergoing conventional care.

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