The Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO) warns: beware of herbal supplements advertised as cures for cancer. This is because apart from having no proven curative effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never approved of any herbal medicine or supplement as a cure for cancer, according to Inquirer.
At a press conference sponsored by pharmaceutical companies Roche and Fresenius, Dr. Ellie May Villegas, PSMO vice president, reminded everyone that there is “no viable alternative to mainstream cancer treatment.”
On the other hand, Dr. Oscar Gutierrez Jr., chair of the FDA Policy Planning Office, shared that while they had approved 650 food and dietary supplements, none of these have been certified as cures for cancer. They were approved just to support nutrition and health care.
Be extra careful because some herbal meds actually don’t mix well with chemotherapy or some medicines for cancer treatment; there can be complications like experiencing blood pressure swings, according to Inquirer.
