Role of alternative therapies in cancer management stressed

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 30. The role of alternative therapies to allopathy in cancer management and treatment was debated at a national seminar organised by the A.M. Charitable Trust and Lakshmi Cancer Institute here on Sunday.

Experts in the field of modern medicine do not rule out the possibilities of integrating traditional medicine with allopathic systems in the disease management. The Minister for Tourism and Sugar Industries, Mr. E. Peddi Reddy, who inaugurated the seminar, called for giving a fair trial to the alternative therapies in Indian medicine along with the conventional medicine. It would reduce the cost of the treatment and would be available to a larger number of patients, he observed.

He asked the doctors to explore the possibilities of bringing the age-old Indian systems into mainstream. Dr. Egbert Rebeiro, surgical oncologist from the US, in his address to the workshop, said the current literature in alternative therapies recorded a flurry of activity to identify bio-active molecules that have tumour suppressor potential. There was a new momentum for alternative therapies such as yoga and acupuncture to be used in the palliative arena.

Dr. Reberio said with the willingness to be open to other systems of medicine, vast areas of knowledge may be harnessed to benefit patients. Dr. Vaidya Chandra Balendu Prakash of the VCP Cancer Research Foundation, Dehradun, delving on Ayurvedic approach in the treatment of leukaemia, said the approach was developed from the findings of the clinical practice in the treatment of acute leukaemia. The research was based on the identification of metals, which arrest the growth of abnormal cells and regulate the formation of normal cells in bone marrow.

Dr. I. Sanjeeva Rao, Director, Varun Herbals Private Ltd, Hyderabad, speaking on conceptual basis of Ayurveda on the management of tumours, said ancient seers were the first in the world to employ metallic ions conjugated with herbals which gave rise to metallo-enzyme complexes, which are powerful free radical scavengers. "Today, we find the similar technology being used through the medium of bio-technology," he said.

Mr. K.S. Raju, Chairman of Nagarjuna Group of Companies, wanted integration of the alternative therapies with the use of modern medicine for management of cancer disease. Mr. Anil Kumar Epur, former chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry, A.P. region, welcomed. Mr. K.S. Madhavan, Managing Trustee of the AMC Trust, proposed a vote of thanks.

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