Sharing about the role of traditional medicine (TM) in cancer treatment, Associate Professor, Doctor, Physician (PGS-TS-BS) Nguyen Thi Bay, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Facility 3, said that TM can support patients in almost all stages, from the first detection until targeted treatments, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery... are no longer effective and must switch to palliative care.
According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay, when talking about the role of Traditional Medicine in treating and alleviating cancer, we can mention non-drug and drug methods.
Non-drug treatment and relief methods of Traditional Medicine
Specifically, non-drug methods that TCM has long used to support treatment and alleviate pain for cancer patients include health care and acupuncture.
Regarding the method of health care, Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay said that it is usually used in palliative care, which is the final stage of cancer. In addition, health care is also widely applied in disease prevention or can be partially applied in some stages of disease treatment.
As for acupuncture, this is a method that can help cancer patients effectively reduce pain without having to take additional painkillers.
Acupuncture can help cancer patients effectively reduce pain
Explaining further, Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay said: "In cancer, pain is one of the most terrible things for patients. They may have pain due to the pathological progression of the tumor, or pain due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy... At this time, acupuncture will help relieve the pain, instead of making the patient have to take additional pain relievers...".
"Acupuncture can be said to be a strong method of Traditional Medicine in treating accompanying symptoms of cancer, or reducing unwanted effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy... In addition, acupuncture also helps regulate blood circulation, thereby affecting our immune system, helping to increase resistance, thereby helping to prevent or reduce complications of cancer", Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay added.
Treatment and palliative methods of traditional medicine
There are more and more scientific research projects in prescribing individual treatments of each medicinal herb for cancer patients, to the combined use of classic remedies.
However, the use of medicinal herbs or prescriptions is not simple and requires the participation and supervision of a physician.
Speaking more clearly about traditional medicine, Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay said that it can be used in most stages of the disease, such as the stage of supporting anti-cancer treatment.
Specifically, during the radiation and chemotherapy stages, we know that patients will experience many side effects. Combining the use of traditional medicine under the guidance and supervision of a doctor can help limit some of these unwanted effects.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay examines a patient
In addition, we also know that when using targeted treatments (such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery...) to destroy cancer cells, it also affects healthy cells and causes side effects that affect the digestive system, causing poor nutrition and nausea...
At this time, traditional medicine can help patients deal with the side effects of cancer and at the same time provide nutrition and support anti-cancer treatment.
Advice for cancer patients
Talking about cancer patients in the stage where they can no longer use any modern medical methods to continue treatment, such as resistance to chemotherapy, not responding to targeted drugs, too many side effects or no longer being able to undergo surgery... Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Thi Bay said that patients can still seek out traditional medicine. At this stage, traditional medicine can use some medicinal herbs that, based on the experience of the physician or scientific research, can be combined with prescriptions to suit the patient's constitution to both support treatment and help the patient absorb it.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay also noted that families and cancer patients should prioritize targeted treatments while they are still possible to quickly control the disease.
In addition, families and patients also need to be clear-headed when faced with mixed information, tips or treatment experiences from non-professionals. Because some cases can be cured by a certain type of medicine, but when another person uses it, it is not effective due to different constitutions.
"As soon as we are diagnosed with cancer, the immediate thing to do is to find out if targeted therapy can still be used at this stage. Only then can we use supportive anti-cancer treatment methods," Dr. Nguyen Thi Bay clearly stated.
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