Cancer of the uterus is cancer affecting the different layers of the uterus, but is usually most common in the inner lining of the uterus known as endometrium. Hence, this cancer is also known as uterine cancer or endometrial cancer. The common risk factors for cancer of the uterus include age over 50, white race, obesity, colorectal cancer, overgrowth of endometrium also known as endometrial hyperplasia, and a history of having taken hormone replacement therapy. The common symptoms of this disease include unusual vagina bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain and tenderness, painful intercourse, and difficult or painful urination. The modern management of uterine cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy.
The Ayurvedic management of uterine cancer includes treatment of the main tumor, treatment of the neighboring lymph nodes, as well as treatment of cancer cells present in the blood circulation as well as in other sites of the body. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are used which directly act on the uterus, especially the uterine muscle and mucosa. This treatment includes two types of herbal medicines: the first type includes medicines which have a direct affinity for the uterus and other pelvic organs; the other type includes medicines which act against abnormal growth of cells, and destroys the cancer cells. Herbal medicines are also added in order to flush these cancer cells out of the body either through the gastrointestinal tract or theough the kidneys and urinary system.
In addition, medicines are also given to prevent the spread of the cancer to the lymph channels and the blood circulation. If the affected individual has some known metastases of uterine cancer in some other part of the body, additional medicines are given to treat the new cancer growths. With the above mentioned treatments, it is also important to use herbal medicines to boost the immunity of the affected individual. This helps the body to fight against the cancer, thereby decreasing treatment time and improving the results.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised in the management and treatment of uterine cancer.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
