Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer is the most common female Cancer in many developed countries (excepting non-melanoma skin cancer), and is a leading cause of Cancer death. With western medical treatment the 5 year survival is around 90%, while when lymph nodes are involved, 5 year survival drops to around 80%.
Symptoms
- lumps or changes in texture, size or shape of the Breast tissue
- red swollen breasts or rash
- ongoing breast pain or tenderness in one breast not relieved by menstruation
- sores or changes in the nipple, nipple discharge
- dimples in the skin of the Breast
- swelling or pain of in the armpit
Risk factors include family history, increasing age, starting menstruation before 12 years of age and exposure to female hormones. In addition, obesity, lack or exercise and excess alcohol consumption increase risk.
In Traditional Medicine, Breast Cancer was one of the first types of Cancers to be recognised and treated with both topical and internal medicine being applied in treatment from early times.
TCM considers Qi stagnation to be a primary instigating factor in Breast Cancer, and as the Liver meridian travels through the Breast and the Liver is related to the smooth flow of Qi, Liver Qi stagnation must be treated. Stagnation of Liver Qi is regarded as having a strong emotional component. Therefore strategies to resolve suppressed emotions and lifestyle changes to help free the flow of Qi are important adjuncts to medical treatment. While this can be said to be true of all Cancer, it is particularly so with Breast Cancer.
In a review of Taiwanese Databases on the use of TCM in Breast Cancer treatment, it was found that the most used formulas were
- Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (most frequently prescribed)
- Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
- Gui Pi Tang
- Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
A review of the most effective Chinese Medicine in Stage IV Breast Cancer:
- Zhi Gan Cao Tang
- Phellodendron Huang Bai
- Paeonia Bai Shao
Wirtzung (1598) emphasises purging Melancholy at least 3 times per month in the treatment of Breast Cancer.
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Western Tradition Simples
Suggested Formulas Tincture of Pill Millipedes Tincture of Black Nightshade Potion for Cancer Decoction for Cancer (Fuller) Decoction of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue) Powder for Cancer Selinum 6 (Tang kug drug thang) (Tibetan) To Purge Melancholy Pills of Lapis Lazuli Topically Powder for Cancer (Galen) Oil of Violets Oil of Datura Oil of Toads Plaster for Breast Cancer Plaster of Hemlock Plaster of Chalcite (with Black Nightshade juice) Plastrum Gratia Dei |
Chinese Classification Simples
Formulas Ping Xiao Capsules Qi Stagnation Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Shu Gan San Spleen Qi Deficiency Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang Spleen Deficient with Damp and Qi Stagnation Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Blood Stagnation Tao Hong Si Wu Tang Xi Huang Wan Ping Xiao Capsules (TCM Patent) |
Special Formula
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To Purge in Cancer Thyme 2 drams Polypody Senna 1 dram ea. Gourd seed Cucumber seed Pumpkin seed Violet 1.5 drams ea. Cinnamon Rapeseed 1 scruple ea. Decoct in Hop water (8 0z.) down to half, and mix with 3 oz. of Whey. Drink warm, fasting 6 hours after. (Wirtzung) Plaster for Breast Cancer Fenugreek Barley meal 2 oz. Mallow 3 handfuls Greater Houseleek 8 handfuls Lesser Houseleek 4 handfuls Oil of Rose 6 oz. Boil the herbs in whey, beat to a pulp, add the rest, then boil again with 6 oz. of Black Nightshade water (or juice). (Wirtzung) A Plaster for Ulcerated Breast Cancer Barley meal 4 oz. Oil of Violet Oil of Rose 3 oz. ea. Egg whites 4 Zinc oxide prepared 2 oz. Hematite prepared 1 oz. Mix the egg white with the oils and barley meal for a good while, then add the zinc and hematite to form a plaster. This was applied to tents which are inserted into the ulcer. (Wirtzung) A Plaster to apply to surrounding tissue Oil of Rose 1.5 oz. Black Nightshade juice 2 oz. Starch 1 oz. Red Earth 1.5 oz. Sealed Earth 2 oz. Mix well and apply to the breast. (Wirtzung) A Plaster to Mitigate Breast Cancer Saffron Poppy Frankincense. 1 dram ea. Burnt & washed Lead Litharge 2 drams ea. Ceruse prepared. 1.5 oz. White Wax 2 oz. Goose grease Fresh Butter 3 oz. ea. Oil of Rose. 4 oz. Form an Ointment. This was said to be gentle and to mittigate Cancers, especially of the Breast. (Secrets of Alexis) |
Ai Du Qing Astragalus Huang Qi Hedyotis Bai Hua She She Cao Zedoary (E Zhu) Licorice (Gan Cao) Shown to reduce metastasis and reocurrence. It showed significant effect against chemo-resistant Breast Cancer and worked synergystically with paclitaxel. (see here) Ruan Jian San Jie Pinellia Ban Xia Prunella Xia Ku Cao Cremastra Shan Ci Gu Sargassum Hai Zao As a decoction, it significantly induces breast cancer cell apoptosis. It showed similar efficacy (tumor growth inhibition) to that of 5-Fu in tumor models and to doxorubicin in advanced breast cancer xenograft models. (See Research here) Shu Gan Liang Xue Decoction Paeonia Mu Dan Pi Schisandra Wu Wei Zi Paeoniae Bai Shao, Cynanchum Bai Wei Bupleurum Chai Hu Curcuma Yu Jin This has been found effective in Breast Cancer. (See here) Stanyasodhana Picrorhiza Cyperus rotundus Ginger Cedrus deodara Tinospora Holarrhena Swertia Cissampelos pareira Hemidesmus This formula is based on Stanya Shodhana Kashaya, an Ayurvedic group of 10 herbs used to improve the quality of Breast Milk. It was studied and found to be potent against Breasts cancer cells. (See here) Experimental formula for Metastatic Breast Cancer Andrographis paniculata 1.7 parts Acanthopanax senticosus 1 part Camellia sinensis (Green Tea). 1 part Hedyotis diffusa 8 parts This was devloped as an experimental formula for Cancer treatment. Researchers found it had multiple pathways to inhibit Metastatic Breast Cancer. (see here) |
Case History
Red Clover: ‘The New York Tribune of September, 1884, related a case of indisputable cancer of the breast of six years’ standing, with an open fetid sore, which had penetrated the chest-wall between the ribs, and which was radically healed by a prolonged internal use of the extract of red clover. Four years afterwards, in September, 1888, “the breast was found to be restored to its normal condition, all but a small place the size of half a dollar, which will in every probability become absorbed like the rest, so that the patient is considered by her physicians to be absolutely cured.” (Herbal Simples, Fernie, 1897)
Research
General–Chemotherapy in conjunction with traditional Chinese medicine for survival of patients with early female breast cancer: protocol for a non-randomized, single center prospective cohort study
–A systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine with chemotherapy in breast cancer
–Immune Effect of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
–Prescription Pattern of Chinese Herbal Products for Breast Cancer in Taiwan: A Population-Based Study
–Hedyotis diffusa Combined with Scutellaria barbata Are the Core Treatment of Chinese Herbal Medicine Used for Breast Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Study
–Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer with Chinese herbal medicine: A prospective cohort study protocol
–Current Usage of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Management of Breast Cancer: A Practitioner’s Perspective
–Phytochemicals: Current strategies for treating breast cancer
Herbs with Proven Effects:
Andrographis:
–Apoptosis inducing effect of andrographolide on TD-47 human breast cancer cell line.
Angelica Dang Gui
–Is Danggui Safe to be Taken by Breast Cancer Patients?—A Skepticism Finally Answered by Comprehensive Preclinical Evidence
Astragalus, Huang Qi:
–Extract from Astragalus membranaceus inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation
–Extract from Astragalus membranaceus inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
–SH003 suppresses breast cancer growth by accumulating p62 in autolysosomes.
–Herbal extract SH003 suppresses tumor growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells
Basil
–Ocimum basilicum but not Ocimum gratissimum present cytotoxic effects on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, inducing apoptosis and triggering mTOR/Akt/p70S6K pathway.
–Evaluation of in vitro anticancer activity of Ocimum basilicum, Alhagi maurorum, Calendula officinalis and their parasite Cuscuta campestris.
–Cytotoxic activity of methanolic extract of Mentha longifolia and Ocimum basilicum against human breast cancer.
Bosweilla:
–Frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils suppress tumor progression through the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in breast cancer
–Boswellia frereana suppresses HGF-mediated breast cancer cell invasion and migration through inhibition of c-Met signalling
–Boswellia sacra essential oil was found to induce apoptosis and suppress tumor aggressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells. (Suhail et al., BMC Complement Altern Med., Dec, 2011)
Betula
–Betulinic acid chemosensitizes breast cancer by triggering ER stress-mediated apoptosis by directly targeting GRP78
Cannabis
–Future Aspects for Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer Therapy
–Enhancing Breast Cancer Treatment Using a Combination of Cannabidiol and Gold Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy
–Targeting multiple cannabinoid anti-tumour pathways with a resorcinol derivative leads to inhibition of advanced stages of breast cancer
–Preclinical and Clinical Assessment of Cannabinoids as Anti-Cancer Agents
–Modulation of the tumor microenvironment and inhibition of EGF/EGFR pathway: Novel anti‐tumor mechanisms of Cannabidiol in breast cancer
–Antitumor Activity of Abnormal Cannabidiol and Its Analog O-1602 in Taxol-Resistant Preclinical Models of Breast Cancer
Citrus
–The Application of Citrus folium in Breast Cancer and the Mechanism of Its Main Component Nobiletin: A Systematic Review
Costus:
–Saussurea lappa extract suppresses TPA-induced cell invasion via inhibition of NF-κB-dependent MMP-9 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
–Saussurea lappa Clarke-Derived Costunolide Prevents TNF α -Induced Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion by Inhibiting NF- κ B Activity.
–Modulation of mammary tumour progression using murine model by ethanol root extract of Saussurea costus (falc.) lipsch.
–HPLC-ESI/MS-MS characterization of compounds in Dolomiaea costus extract and evaluation of cytotoxic and antiviral properties: molecular mechanisms underlying apoptosis-inducing effect on breast cancer.
–Investigation of Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Sensitivity to the Anti-Cancer Activity of Costunolide in Breast Cancer Cells.
Crocus
–A Comparative Study on Anti-Invasion, Antimigration, and Antiadhesion Effects of the Bioactive Carotenoids of Saffron
–Inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation by style constituents of different Crocus species.
Cyperus rotundus, Xiang Fu
–Induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells with an ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus L. by activating caspases.
Ginger
–Gingerenone A Induces Antiproliferation and Senescence of Breast Cancer Cells.
–Preventive Effect of Combined Zingiber officinale and Terminalia chebula against DMBA-Induced Breast Cancer Rats via mTOR Inhibition
Hedyotis diffusa
–Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Hedyotis Diffusa Plus Scutellaria Barbata Inhibits the Progression of Breast Cancer via Targeting LMO1 and AKT/Mtor Signaling Pathway.
–Scutellaria barbata and Hedyotis diffusa herb pair for breast cancer treatment: Potential mechanism based on network pharmacology.
–Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Hedyotis diffusa plus Scutellaria barbata Exerts Anti-Breast Cancer Effect via miR-200c-PDE7B/PD-L1-AKT/MAPK Axis.
–Hedyotis diffusa water extract diminished the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs against human breast cancer MCF7 cells.
–Hedyotis diffusa Combined with Scutellaria barbata Are the Core Treatment of Chinese Herbal Medicine Used for Breast Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Study.
Lemon Balm:
–Lemon Balm Extracts Prevent Breast Cancer Progression In Vitro and In Ovo on Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay.
–The herbal medicine Melissa officinalis extract effects on gene expression of p53, Bcl-2, Her2, VEGF-A and hTERT in human lung, breast and prostate cancer cell lines.
–Antitumoral effects of Melissa officinalis on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.
Licorice
–Glycyrrhiza glabra extract and quercetin reverses cisplatin resistance in triple-negative MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells via inhibition of cytochrome P450 1B1 enzyme.
Lycium Gou Qi Zi
–Inhibitory effects of Chinese nutritional herbs in isogenic breast carcinoma cells with modulated estrogen receptor function.
–Anticancer effect of ethanol Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) extract on human breast cancer T47D cell line.
Notoginseng, San Qi
–Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) inhibits breast cancer metastasis.
Olibanum
–Frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils suppress tumor progression through the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in breast cancer
–Boswellia frereana suppresses HGF-mediated breast cancer cell invasion and migration through inhibition of c-Met signalling
Peganum
–Peganum harmala L.’s anti-growth effect on a breast cancer cell line.
–Seeds of Peganum Harmala L. chemical analysis, antimalarial and antioxidant activities, and cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells.
Phellinus
–Sanhuang Decoction Controls Tumor Microenvironment by Ameliorating Chronic Stress in Breast Cancer: A Report of Ninety Cases
Poria:
–[Isolation of homogeneous polysaccharide from Poria cocos and effect of its sulfated derivatives on migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells].
–Co-delivery of Poria cocos extract and doxorubicin as an ‘all-in-one’ nanocarrier to combat breast cancer multidrug resistance during chemotherapy.
–Evaluation of anticancer activities of Poria cocos ethanol extract in breast cancer: In vivo and in vitro, identification and mechanism.
Rabdosia
–Rabdosia rubescens inhibits breast cancer growth and angiogenesis.
–Differential control of growth, cell cycle progression, and expression of NF-kappaB in human breast cancer cells MCF-7, MCF-10A, and MDA-MB-231 by ponicidin and oridonin, diterpenoids from the chinese herb Rabdosia rubescens.
–Oridonin inhibits aberrant AKT activation in breast cancer.
–Oridonin inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis through blocking the Notch signaling.
–[Effect of oridonin on apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species level in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells].
–Oridonin induces apoptosis, inhibits migration and invasion on highly-metastatic human breast cancer cells.
–A new oridonin analog suppresses triple-negative breast cancer cells and tumor growth via the induction of death receptor 5.
Rheum, Da Huang
–Acceleration of pro-caspase-3 maturation and cell migration inhibition in human breast cancer cells
–Apoptosis induction in MDA-MB-435S, Hep3B and PC-3 cell lines by Rheum emodi rhizome extracts.
–Rhein induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.
Anticancer potential of emodin.
–Emodin Inhibits the Proliferation of MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells Through Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR).
–In Vitro Estrogenic and Breast Cancer Inhibitory Activities of Chemical Constituents Isolated from Rheum undulatum
–The anthraquinone derivative Emodin inhibits angiogenesis and metastasis through downregulating Runx2 activity in breast cancer.
–Synergistic effects of curcumin with emodin against the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells through upregulation of miR-34a.
Ruta, Rue
–Antiproliferative Effects of Various Furanoacridones Isolated from Ruta graveolens on Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.
Carthamus
–The inhibitory effect of a herbal formula comprising ginseng and carthamus tinctorius on breast cancer.
–Safflower polysaccharide inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of MCF-7 breast cancer cell.
–Safflower Yellow Prevents Pulmonary Metastasis of Breast Cancer by Inhibiting Tumor Cell Invadopodia.
Salvia Dan Shen
–Danshen Improves Survival of Patients With Breast Cancer and Dihydroisotanshinone I Induces Ferroptosis and Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells
Sanguisorba
–Sanguisorba officinalis L. Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis by Inhibiting Late-Phase Autophagy via Hif-1α/Caveolin-1 Signaling
Scutellaria barbata
–A phase 1B dose escalation trial of Scutellaria barbata (BZL101) for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Solanum nigrum
–Anti-Cancer Activity of Solanum nigrum (AESN) through Suppression of Mitochondrial Function and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Breast Cancer Cells
–Tumor suppression effect of Solanum nigrum polysaccharide fraction on Breast cancer via immunomodulation.
–Ripe fruit of Solanum nigrum L. inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.
–Probing the Antitumor Mechanism of Solanum nigrum L. Aqueous Extract against Human Breast Cancer MCF7 Cells
Scrophularia, Figwort
–In vitro anticancer activity of Scrophularia amplexicaulis extracts on MCF-7 and WEHI-164 cell line.
–Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Scrophularia Umbrosa Dumort Extract on MCF-7 Breast Cancer and 3T3 Cells.
–Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Scrophularia Umbrosa Dumort Extract on MCF-7 Breast Cancer and 3T3 Cells.
–Scrophularia Atropatana Extract Reverses TP53 Gene Promoter Hypermethylation and Decreases Survivin Antiapoptotic Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells.
–The Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Scrophularia Atropatana Extracts on Human Breast Cancer Cells.
–Growth inhibitory effect of Scrophularia oxysepala extract on mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells in vitro and in vivo systems.
–Extracts of Scrophularia frigida Boiss display potent antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibition of expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.
–Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Activities of Methanolic Subfractions of Scrophularia oxysepala against Human Breast Cancer Cell Line.
–Apoptosis Cell Death Effect of Scrophularia Variegata on Breast Cancer Cells via Mitochondrial Intrinsic Pathway.
–Dichloromethane fractions of Scrophularia oxysepala extract induce apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.
–Dichloromethane and Methanol Extracts of Scrophularia oxysepala Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells.
Toxiocondendron Gan Qi
–Extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes Induces p53-Mediated Apoptosis in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
–Toxicodendron vernicifluum Stokes extract inhibits solid tumor growth and lung metastasis of 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma cells in BALB/c mice
–Promoting Apoptosis, a Promising Way to Treat Breast Cancer With Natural Products: A Comprehensive Review
–Pharmacological Modulation of Steroid Activity in Hormone-Dependent Breast and Prostate Cancers: Effect of Some Plant Extract Derivatives
Tribulus, Ci Ji Li
–[The inhibitory effect of saponins from Tribulus terrestris on Bcap-37 breast cancer cell line in vitro].
Violet
–Suppressive role of Viola odorata extract on malignant characters of mammosphere-derived breast cancer stem cells.
–The synergistic cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin and Viola odorata extract on human breast cancer cell line T47-D.
–Inhibitory Effect of Viola odorata Extract on Tumor Growth and Metastasis in 4T1 Breast Cancer Model.
Withania:
–Evaluation of apoptotic activity of Withania coagulans methanolic extract against human breast cancer
–Withania somnifera extract reduces the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and inhibits cytokines
–Effect of Withania somnifera root extract on spontaneous estrogen receptor-negative mammary cancer
–Pharmacological levels of Withaferin A (Withania somnifera) trigger clinically relevant anticancer effects
Zedoary
–Anti-cancer effects of Rhizoma Curcumae against doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells
–Extracts from Curcuma zedoaria Inhibit Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cell MDA-MB-231 In Vitro
Formulas
1. Traditional Chinese Medicine for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer: Taohong Siwu Decoction
2. Ruyiping formula inhibits metastasis via the microRNA-134-SLUG axis in breast cancer
3. Aiduqing formula inhibits breast cancer metastasis by suppressing TAM/CXCL1-induced Treg differentiation and infiltration
4. Based on BATMAN-TCM to Explore the Molecular Mechanism of Xihuang Pill Regulating Immune Function to Treat Breast Precancerous Lesions
5. Exploring the Pharmacological Mechanism of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder on ER-Positive Breast Cancer by a Network Pharmacology Approach
6. Exploration of the Potential Mechanism of Tao Hong Si Wu Decoction for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vitro Experimental Verification
7. Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Chaihu-Shugan-San in Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology
8. Meta-Analysis of Xihuang Pill Efficacy When Combined with Chemotherapy for Treatment of Breast Cancer
Other
1. Effect of Tai Chi Chuan in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2. Effects of Qigong, Tai Chi, acupuncture, and Tuina on cancer-related fatigue for breast cancer patients: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis