Get Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Diet FREE For years, Essiac has been touted as an herbal anti-cancer remedy. It got a lot of publicity and press, and has become entrenched in the minds of the alternative health community.
It is used to a great extent, and some use it for dog cancer treatment. Let’s look at this a little closer.
Many are familiar with the old saying, “First, do no harm.” This is the translation of the original latin, primum non nocere. Some believe it to be part of the Hippocratic oath, but the saying probably was coined by a French doctor alive during the 1700′s and 1800′s.
When we are coping with a canine cancer diagnosis, primum non nocere takes on a whole new meaning, in particular in the realm of conventional care. Side effects are more concerning in cancer medicine than in almost any other branch of traditional medicine.
We must remember though that the so-called “natural” treatments also have side effects. This should be a critical aspect of selecting which are used, and how, and when.
When I was evaluating Apocaps, a big part of the development was safety. Regular blood tests were done investigating 28 dogs over time to make sure all the internal organs were healthy. This type of consideration is important for a loved family member.
Now, when making the choice to use an intervention, I am hoping that the reader will want information. Being your dog’s primary health advocate means that you are in the driver’s seat, that you must take an active role with your veterinarian or oncologist in creating a plan for your loved dog.
Now, at the risk of offending some, I feel that we should really look at the use of Essiac before charging into it. I have yet to see an “in vivo” study (in real life bodies, not in test tubes or petri dishes) that really show that Essiac does something real.
Okay, I will admit that not everything that works has an official clinical trial to back it up. But what if there is a published study suggesting it may do harm?
This is the case with Essiac. There is actually a study in rats that suggests that Essiac may literally increase the risk (promote growth) of breast cancer. Here is the abstract for you to read yourself.
Ouch! This is not what I would reach for in treating a dog with cancer, personally speaking. It just gives me the heebie jeebies that this data exists. Seriously, it is like giving an antibiotic that may actually be a capsule with germs in it. Granted, I am sure there are many examples where the patient did not have tumor growth, but non the less I would not want to risk worsening anything without clear, definite advantages to the choice.
So that’s the scoop on Essiac for now. For more information on aspects like this, check out the Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
Best,
Dr D
About the Author
Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is known as the "dog cancer vet" and is author of Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Beyond Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation. Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information about canine cancer. Go to http://DogCancerBlog.com.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Greetings,
I had a Bulldog with a chemodectoma situated at the heart base and encompassing the aorta. He underwent traditional chemo and I gave him essaic I had prepared daily. He survived for 2.5 years. The veterinary cardiologists were surprised. So, perhaps the essaic was beneficial for this particular cancer.
Respectfully, Martine Cantler
Your commnets about Essaic are exactly why I do not use any supplements that have not been studied in extensive clinical trials.
“Natural treatments” that have not been researched have unknown side effects, unknown dosages, shelf life, efficacy etc. There seems to be movement a foot against science and scientific studies these days. Very scary. I’ll take traditional western medicine so I don’t have to worry about what I have given my dog when information finally becomes available, such as with Essaic.There are exciting discoveries being made almost daily by brillant researchers yet many prefer to ignore research. Give me science over ignorance!
Thank you,
Susan Spinhirne
I wonder if it is the high iron content in Essiac that contributes to or causes this. I have heard of using IP-6 to bind iron in cancer so apparently a lot of iron is not desirable in a cancer patient. This reminds me of how confused I was with what to try with my dog who passed with cancer last year. Essiac was something I considered but never used. It is the most helpless feeling of not knowing what might help and what might hurt to try.
Lilly
Treatment options are very confusing. My 6 yr old Australian Shepherd has been diagnosed (needle biopsy) with Chemodectoma in an “odd” spot…it is under her jawbone and around her Caroid artery. Surgery is out due to limited margin around tumor (about the size of 1/2 golfball from the outside).
I am meeting with a Canine Oncologist tomorrow and I don’t know what to ask…I guess we would like to treat her with medicine—but, not if it is going to decrease her quality of life.
Lisa
I’ve had my pitbull on Essiac, K9 Immunity and fish oil since she was diagnosed with bone cancer in October of last year. She has improved greatly even when the vets and surgeons wanted to amputate, radiate and perform chemo. As you have pointed out in your book, be your dogs best advocate and that’s what I’m doing. The decision not to amputate, I believe was the right one as was the decision to use Essiac and K9 Immunity. Until more evidence is clear on Essiac, I will continue to use it for my dog’s anti-cancer treatment.
Scott
What are your thoughts on green tea for dogs with cancer? And would this be the same kind of green tea that people drink?