Meta-Analysis of Astragalus-Containing Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined With Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: Efficacy and Safety to Tumor Response https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6700271/
The results showed that Astragalus-based Chinese medicines combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of CRC may increase the efficiency of tumor response rate, reduce chemotherapeutic agents-associated adverse reactions, and improve their life quality when compared with chemotherapy alone, but further randomized studies are warranted.
Hi Daniel...I am fairly new to the forum, this is the first time I have posted. Aug. Of 2018, I was diagnosed with anal adenocarcinoma. I went through chemo/radiation followed by APR and permanent colostomy. Jan. 2019, 6 months of 5fu. This month a pet scan showed a possible metastasis to my lungs, but too small to biopsy. I am starting a round of chemotherapy on Tuesday. 5fu and Avastin. The oncologist told me on Thursday. Since that day I have been taking fenben and gamma e and some other things, I havent purchased everything I need yet, am doing that this week. My question is about chemo. I have read that you suggest to stop taking supplements 2 or 3 days before chemo and start back the day of or after. I go to chemo on Tuesdays and have some intravenous, but I also take a pump home with me attached to my port and have it taken off on Thursday. Should I start my protocols back on Tuesday when I start chemo or Thursday when chemo ends?
I appreciate this site so much. I get so much important and good information here. Thanks to everyone that posts here.
Hi Rachel,
It depends on what you are taking.
In this post https://www.cancertreatmentsresearch.com/modulating-the-yin-and-yang-energy-of-cells-to-fight-cancer-pro-oxidant-strategy/ I shared a way that I would approach this in general:
- strong anti-oxidants like NAC, ALA, etc. should not be taken 6-7 days before and after chemo;
- anti-oxidants known to have pro-oxidant effects (like Quercetin, Curcumin, etc.) should not be taken 2-3 days before and after chemo
- pro-oxidants or others widely known to bring good benefit to radio/chemo can be continued during chemo/radio. Examples are: Omega 3, Aremisia Annua, Silver Solution.
Vitamin E, I would put it in the first category. Indeed 5FU goes slower through a pump that you take it at home. I would start counting the days when to re-start from the moment 5-FU is finished and the pump is removed from your port.
Kind regards,
Daniel