Alternative and complementary treatment of cancer with phytotherapy and phytocannabinoids in Ecuador: A case review.

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.929342311057

• Palavras-chave: -

• Keywords: Oncology, Alternative Therapies, Phytotherapy, Cannabis, Mycology, TCM (Traditional, Complementary Medicine), CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine).

• Abstract:

  According to the international agency for research on cancer (IARC), Cancer is the
  first cause of death worldwide, in 2020 almost 10 million deaths were attributed to this
  disease. (1)
  Oncological diseases are positioned in a global health crisis, raising the interest of using
  various complementary alternative practices and integrating in the health systems in
  Latin America.
  The World Health Organization, through the resolution of the World Health Assembly
  on traditional medicine (WHA62.13), recognizes the different practices of
  complementary alternative medicine as a strategy to reduce the current problems
  suffered by health care systems.(3)
  Health professionals have generally expressed positive opinions when Complementary
  and Alternative Medicine is used 'complementarily' and not as an 'alternative'. The
  results published so far have shown that CAM can contribute to improving the quality
  of life of cancer patients and their general well-being. (2)
  This cases review tries to demonstrate the importance of the integration and scientific
  development of the various practices of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
  where the various natural compounds such as phytocannabinoids, fungus, mineral and
  other native and ancestral elements become very valuable therapeutic targets to
  treatment different types of illness. Alternative and Complementary Medicine is helping
  to reduce the health care crisis that we are currently living in Ecuador and this kind of
  therapies can increase quality of life, well-being and help alleviate the pain of patients
  also when they die.