Page 1 of 3 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Cancer: The Role of Clinical Pharmacists Amani E Khalifa* Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University and Scientific Consultant for Children Cancer Hospital (CCHE 57357), Cairo, Egypt Editorial Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers generally to medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care. Complementary medicine is the one that can be used together with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine is the one that can be used in place of conventional medicine. Integrative medicine refers to using conventional and complementary approaches together. CAM is becoming increasingly popular among the general population as well as among cancer patients. It is being used for the prevention and treatment of illness, holistic care, and/or counteracting the adverse effects of conventional medicine. Cancer patients in particular use CAM to cope with signs and symptoms caused by cancer and cancer medications such as anxiety, distress, uncertainty, confusion, fatigue, wasting, nausea & vomiting, pain, difficulty sleeping, and stress. In one systematic review and meta-analysis, it has been reported that half of all cancer patients use CAM. The natural products were reported to be the most common complementary health approaches used by adults in different cultures and still another natural & synthetic products are also being tested for potential beneficial effects against cancer or cancer-related side effects. For example, ginger root is being used either fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil in some cultures to treat nausea Cannabinoids may also be beneficial for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer. The effect of administering capsules of ground ginseng root have been studied in patients either during or after their treatment for cancer and patients who administered ginseng had less fatigue than patients who were given a placebo. L-carnitine; as a dietary supplement is also thought to be helpful in treating fatigue related to cancer. Coenzyme Q10; as an antioxidant compound made by the body to help cells produce energy, has been also reported to protect the heart from damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. Examples of some other antioxidants that may protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals that may lead to cancer are beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A. It is to be noted that there has been some concern about whether antioxidants may make chemotherapy and radiation therapy less effective. Many studies suggest that some dietary supplements are commonly used by prostate cancer patients such as green tea, lycopene, modified citrus pectin, pomegranate, soy, and Zyflamend (a combination of a number of herbs) supplements. Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) in particular have been reported to have effects on cancer growth and metastasis and it may protect against different types of cancer, including colon, lung, and prostate cancer. MCP is found in the peel and pulp of citrus fruits. There is also evidence that green tea may protect against different types of cancer since it contains polyphenol compounds including catechins, which are antioxidants that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Oral glutamine; as an amino acid that can be synthesized by the body and can also be obtained from the diet, can reduce mucositis (often manifested as mouth sores) and diarrhea caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy since it has been demonstrated to have a role in healing gastrointestinal mucosal cells and the entire GI tract. It has been claimed that antineoplastons; as drugs made of chemical compounds that occur naturally in the urine and blood, have selective effect in stopping growth of cancer cells without affecting healthy But, no randomized controlled trials showing *Corresponding author: Amani E Khalifa, Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Received Date: August 18, 2018 Published Date: August 27, 2018 Advances in Cancer Research & Clinical Imaging Open Access Editorial Copyright © All rights are reserved by Amani E Khalifa Abbreviations: CAM: Complementary and Alternative Medicine; MCP: Modified Citrus Pectin; CAP: Complementary & Alternative Products; CAPHP: Complementary & Alternative Physical Health Practices; CAMHP: Complementary & Alternative Mental Health Practices; T&CM: Traditional & Complementary Medicine This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License ACRCI.MS.ID.000502.