Fall 2010, Vol. 5 Issue 2

Ayurvedic Medicine Formulations from India Reviewed for Cancer Treatment

Vaidya Balendu Prakash, an Ayurvedic practitioner,
presents his clinical findings to NCI

A panel of researchers and clinicians was convened by the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) on June 30, 2010 to discuss cases of cancer patients in India treated with metal-based Ayurvedic treatment (MBAT) formulations.

The meeting provided an opportunity for NCI staff and outside experts to review and discuss some of the case reports which Vaidya Balendu Prakash, an Ayurvedic practitioner from Mumbai, India had submitted via the NCI Best Case Series (BCS)( program. Director of OCCAM’s Case Review and Intramural Science Program (CRISP), Dr. Farah Zia, noted, “The NCI BCS program offers CAM practitioners expert assistance in identifying and compiling persuasive case studies as well as the opportunity to have their data evaluated by NCI. The goal of the program is to make a determination about whether or not NCI-initiated research is warranted.” Read more…

NCI CAM News is produced by the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM). The Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) was established in October 1998 to coordinate and support the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) activities related to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). OCCAM also serves as a focal point for NCI’s collaboration with other governmental and non-governmental organizations on cancer CAM issues.

For inquiries on CAM and cancer, call 1-800-4-CANCER or visit cam.cancer.gov.