Study: Placebos Don’t Cause Side Effects in Patients Receiving Conventional Cancer Treatment
Actually, the study is about the use of homeopathic “medicines” alongside conventional cancer treatments, but same difference.
WASHINGTON—A new Cochrane review did not find serious side effects relating to the use of homeopathic medicine in patients having orthodox cancer care.
“Furthermore, there was no indication that the homeopathic medicine interfered with conventional cancer care,” said lead author Sosie Kassab, M.D., director of Complementary Cancer Services at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital.
The reviewers assessed whether homeopathic medicine, used alongside traditional cancer treatments, benefits patients who suffer from painful or uncomfortable side effects from chemotherapy, radiation or other therapies.
…The review did not lead to any conclusions on whether homeopathy works. “The sum total of the evidence in this area is small and there is no evidence at present of sufficient quantity or quality to confirm either the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of these interventions,” Kassab wrote in an e-mail.
…Lucille Marchand, M.D., clinical director of Integrative Oncology at the University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, said, “Homeopathic remedies are very dilute and generally very safe. If the patient believes strongly in the benefits of the homeopathic medicines, I believe that it has a higher potential of helping the patient.”
Props to Dr. Marchand. Had I been in her shoes, I seriously doubt if I could have said that with a straight face.
If you’re unfamiliar with homeopathy, James Randi explains…
