Review of Dr Holt's microwave cancer therapy

You may have been following the story of Perth based surgeon Dr John Holt, which has caused a great deal of comment and controversy in the media. The Cancer Council WA funded a trial of a previous version of Dr Holt's therapy in the 1980s (then called the Tronado treatment), and found it was no better than existing treatments such as conventional radiotherapy.

As an evidence-based organisation, The Cancer Council NSW is interested in developments in cancer treatment that are supported by rigorously conducted clinical trials. Following the initial report on A Current Affair , The Cancer Council said it would welcome an evidence-based review of Dr Holt's revised treatment. The Federal Government, under the auspices of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), subsequently announced a review.

Visit the NHMRC website to read more about the review www.nhmrc.gov.au/advice/microw.htm

We are keen to hear the results. However, along with cancer specialists, treatment centres and organisations across Australia, we strongly recommend that cancer patients do not stop or postpone their prescribed treatment in the meantime. Thanks to advances in cancer treatment over the years, around 60% of cancer patients are now cured and many proven and promising therapies are available. However, what may be an effective treatment for one kind of cancer may not be appropriate for another, so please ask your doctor before making any decision.

For more information about cancer treatment and support, call the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.

Alternative medicines may alter the effects of cancer therapies

A new study shows that up to 83% of cancer patients are now using complementary therapies, often without discussing it with their doctor. Some therapies, such as relaxation techniques, work well alongside conventional therapy. However, recent experiments are sounding warning bells for one therapy.

Researchers at Yale University conducted experiments with laboratory mice to determine whether commercially available extracts of a herb (black cohosh), widely used by breast cancer patients, altered the response of cancer cells to radiation and to four drugs commonly used in cancer therapy. The herb increased the degree to which two of the drugs were toxic to cancer cells, and decreased the toxicity of a third drug, but did not alter the effects of radiation.

This study is a warning that herbal medicines can impact on the effectiveness of drugs used for chemotherapy. It's important that patients discuss the use of herbal medicines with their doctor and treatment team.

Source: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, April 2005, vol.90, no.3, pp.233-239(7)

Elderly can respond well to combined therapy for lung cancer

Elderly lung cancer patients are responding just as well as younger patients to treatment using combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, according to a new study appearing in the June issue of CANCER , an American Cancer Society journal.

In America, about 20% of lung cancer patients will have small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In the past, these cancers have progressed rapidly despite initial chemotherapy sensitivity, however new treatment methods are providing encouraging results.

Studies have found chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy improves survival over chemotherapy alone. Researchers in the US have used clinical trials to develop better ways to combine the treatments, and to understand the role of age in therapy tolerance, cancer control and survival.

Cancer Trials NSW is currently supporting a clinical trial at Newcastle's Mater Hospital that is examining gentler methods of combining the two types of therapy in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This could lead to improvements in treatment, including less severe side effects. Click here for more information.

Thursday June 16 is the Cancer Council's annual Lung Cancer Call-in . By calling the Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 on the day, you can speak to a team of health professionals, oncology nurses and cancer survivors about treatment and support options.

Source: Results of Combined-Modality Therapy for Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Carcinoma in the Elderly”, CANCER (published online, 25 April 2005)

Breast cancer treatment can cause bone problems

All women need oestrogen to keep their bones healthy, however many therapies used in breast cancer treatment can reduce oestrogen and increase a woman's risk of developing osteoperosis and other bone fracture problems.

While some drugs, including Tamoxifen, have some bone protective properties, their long-term use can have negative side effects. The good news is that there are many things that women in this higher risk group can do to reduce their likelihood of developing problems. These include:

• Eating foods that are high in calcium, such as yoghurt, cheese and dark green vegetables like broccoli

• Taking calcium supplements with meals or with milk

• Taking vitamin D supplements

• Doing regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging
  or climbing stairs

• Avoiding alcohol or limiting yourself to one standard drink a day

• Not smoking

Discover the Cancer Information Library

Following a cancer diagnosis, many people are keen to get their hands on information about new types of treatment, latest research findings, stories of how other people have coped, and diet and exercise advice.

Our Cancer Information Library has a wealth of information on these topics, plus much more. There are more than 3000 items in the collection, including books, videos and a large range of current cancer medical journals.

You can visit the library at 153 Dowling St Woolloomooloo (9am–5pm Mon–Fri), or borrow books by post. To contact our librarian, call 13 11 20 or email library@nswcc.org.au

To request a journal article search, email your request via the library page on the Cancer Council website www.cancercouncil.com.au (Patients, families and friends section)

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