Chronic Viral Infections

There is a strong link between some chronic viral infections and some cancers. For example, in modern times the primary cause of liver cancer is HBV and HCV, hepatitis B and C viruses. HPV 16 and 17 (human papilloma virus) are the primary causes of cervical cancer. EBV (Epstein Barr virus) is a primary cause of esophageal cancer. And Helicobacter pylori (a bacterial infection) is the primary cause of stomach cancer.

Conventional medicine has a very limited armamentarium against viral disease. Gardasil is certainly a boon, but protects against only three types of HPV. Twenty per cent of cervical cancers are not caused by HPV infection. There are many other types of HPV infection that are not treated. Gardasil is aimed at women and does not treat men who are at risk for condylomas caused by HPV. The main treatments for HBV and HCV carry a heavy list of side effects, including cancer. EBV is a ubiquitous virus that very few people are not exposed to and the combination of EBV with other factors, like immunodeficiency and poor diet can combine to cause esophageal cancer. There is no treatment for EBV exposure.

The Chinese have been researching viral diseases for the last century. Through pharmaceutical studies they have found several herbs and combinations of herbs that are anti-virus specific. These herbs and formulas are being used to treat chronic HBV and HVC infection in order to prevent the onset of liver cancer. Other herbs and combinations are being used to treat HPV infection that is a major health problem in Asia where rates of cervical cancer are higher than in any other area of the world. Chinese medicine is also being used as an adjunct to conventional treatment to ameliorate side effects of Ribavirin and Interferon for treatment of liver cancer.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Did you Know?

Vitamin E has been shown to significantly reduce liver enzymes in patients with hepatitis C who have not responded to Interferon treatment
Von Herbay, A. Vitamin E improves the aminotransferase status of patients suffering from viral Hepatitis C: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Free Radic Res. 1997 Dec;27(6):599-605.

Did you Know?

Salvia miltiorrhiza, a Chinese herb, reduces experimenally-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.
J. Hepatol, 2000; 15supp(3):E67 - 70.

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Chemotherapy combined with Chinese herbal medicine, compared with chemotherapy alone, significantly improved survival at 12 months (55%0, 24 months (115%), and 36 months (176%). Tumor response improved by 39%.
Sun ZJ, Pan CE. Clinical observations of Hus chan su combined with TACE in the treatment of HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma. Zhing liu Fang Zhi Yan Jiu. 2002; 29:67-68.

Cornerstone Cancer Clinic

Cancer Speciality Care

Chronic Viral Infections

Did you Know?

Did you Know?

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