THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Q. Should I use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat my cancer?

A. In general, I believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a very promising system. I have seen some dramatic responses. Acupuncture is now officially accepted for some indications by the National Institutes of Health. But the problem comes in evaluating the herbal formulas. First of all, it is hard to get information on what these formulas are actually composed of. When you do, you may find that the indications for treatment do not fit your condition. One book on TCM refers to the treatment of uterine, but not ovarian, cancer.

CICADA SLOUGH AND DONKEY GELATIN

Sometimes, Chinese herbs are unknown in the West and lack the same kind of documentation on safety and efficacy that is available for Western herbs. Chinese formulas are also very complicated and are unlikely to be available to patients trying to help themselves. Some of the items in these formulas are strange, to say the least. They may include such animal ingredients as donkey-hide gelatin, silkworm excrement, cicada slough or fungus, human placenta, and cockroaches. Who am I to say that these don't have a therapeutic effects? But I am put off by the prospect of putting such substances in my body. Other ingredients may also be dangerous, such as the ones that include mercury.

For that reason, I think you have to be under the care of a person who has a good knowledge of both Chinese and Western medicine. I think that TCM is indeed a "great treasure house," as Chinese sources say. But as a Western person I need to have this interpreted through Western eyes. It may be difficult, but try to insist on a list of ingredients before you take any Chinese herbal formulas.

The Moss Reports contain detailed recommendations on herbs and herbal formulas. Please see my book Herbs Against Cancer for a discussion of herbal controversies.

If you wish to obtain a Moss Report for a particular kind of cancer, you can call our office at 718-636-4433 or order BY CLICKING HERE via our secure order form,.

Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D. is director of the The Moss Reports for cancer patients. Dr. Moss is the author of eleven books and three documentaries on cancer-related topics. He is or has been an advisor on alternative cancer treatments to the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, the American Urological Association, Columbia University, the University of Texas, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the German Society of Oncology. He wrote the first article on alternative medicine for the Encyclopedia Britannica yearbook. He is listed in Marquis Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the East, and Who's Who in Entertainment (as a film documentarian). This Web site does not advocate any particular treatment for cancer. We urge you to always seek competent medical advice for all health problems, especially cancer. Before consulting our site please read our full Disclaimer statement.

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