Complementary medicine – a role in cancer therapy?

The role of nutrition and complementary medicine in everything from cancer risk to menopausal symptoms will be explored at a public event at the University of St Andrews next month.

The Symposium In Integrative Medicine: Health Promotion Without Limits – to be held on Thursday 2 December 2004 – will give world- leading specialists the chance to air their latest research into the impact of diet, traditional Chinese medicine, stress and meditation on the workings of the human body.

The event is being organised by Dr Margaret Ritchie, Teaching Fellow and Research Fellow in the University’s Bute Medical School. A chemistry graduate of the University and former practitioner in complementary medicine, Dr Ritchie now heads research at the interface of chemistry and medicine.

PROGRAMME

2pm – 2.10pm – Welcome and introduction – Professor Hugh McDougall, Head of the Bute Medical School and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

2.10pm – 2.50pm – The Role of Soybean Isoflavones (Phyto- oestrogens) in Disease Prevention with an Emphasis on Women’s Health – Associate Professor Mark Messina, Department of Nutrition, Loma Linda University, USA.

2.50pm – 3.30pm – Integrative Medicine – The Way Forward? Methods used in patient care and an overview of medical treatment in the Department of Integrative Medicine at Essen Hospital, Germany. In addition, the effect of nutritional therapy and exercise on fatigue in cancer patients (a collaborative study with Bute Medical School, University of St Andrews) by Dr Gunther Spahn MD, Oncologist and Haematologist, Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, University of Essen (the official department of Integrative Medicine for Germany).

3.30pm – 3.50pm – Coffee and snacks, soya tasting.

3.50pm – 4.15pm – Phyto- oestrogens: A novel approach in the field of biomarkers. The University of St Andrews was the first in the world to validate a phyto-oestrogen database and identify and validate biomarkers of phyto-oestrogen exposure. These biomarkers are currently being used to investigate the effect of such dietary components on tumour characteristics and their potential role in the management of cancer patients. Dr Margaret Ritchie, Teaching Fellow and Research Fellow, Bute Medical School, University of St Andrews.

4.15pm – 4.40pm – Prostate cancer and phyto-oestrogens: Current evidence for dietary change. Hormones and their metabolism have a significant impact on human health. Evidence suggests that dietary phytochemicals, such as phyto-oestrogens may be involved in altering hormone metabolism in a manner that may be beneficial for health. There is also evidence that phyto-oestrogens may help prevent spread of prostate cancer. This will be discussed by Dr Michael Morton, Endocrinologist and Senior Research Fellow, University of Cardiff, Wales.

4.40pm – 5.00pm – An investigation into the use and effects of Complementary Medicine in breast cancer patients. There is increasing public awareness and use of Complementary Therapies, especially by cancer patients. Little is known about the therapies used and their effects in those suffering from cancer. Dr Leatham is conducting a study which will investigate this issue and Dr Margaret Ritchie, Bute Medical School, is assisting with this research. Dr Tony Leatham is a Reader in Surgery and Consultant Pathologist, University College London, England.

5.00pm – 6.00pm – Refreshments and discussion.

Entry to the event is by ticket only – contact Dr Ritchie on telephone 01334 463534 or email [email protected].

NOTE TO EDITORS

Press are welcome to call Dr Ritchie today (Wednesday 10 Nov 2004) on 07711 810 162.

Further details re. lectures, presentations and media access/opportunities will be issued nearer the time of the event.

ENDS

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information, please contact Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or [email protected]; Ref: press releases/symposium- final View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk