Supporting the patient undergoing radiotherapy/excessive radiation exposure
 By: Dr. Colleen M. Bland

Exposure to radiation occurs all the time and is part of our life. Sources include natural background radiation as well as medical imagery. We receive radiation from cosmic radiation in outer space, radon gas, dental and chest X-rays, CT scans, DEXA scans, mammograms and even during airline flights. Ultrasound and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) does not expose you to radiation. To reduce exposure to radiation one can limit the time of exposure, increase the distance from the source or use some form of shielding. Medical diagnostic imagery provides valuable information and benefits of an accurate diagnosis may outweigh the risks. The effects of radiation add up over time and patients undergoing numerous medical procedures may benefit from protection and a holistic approach.
The scientific unit of measurement for radiation is the millisievert (mSv). Approximate comparisons are as follows:
·      A  trans-atlantic flight exposes one to 0.03 mSv
·      A  single chest X-ray to 0.1 mSv
·       A dental X –ray to 0.005 mSv
·      Digital mammography 0.21-0.27 mSv / Mammogram 0.4 mSV
·      DEXA scan 0.001 mSv  (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry)
·      PET scans 22.7 – 25 mSv   (Positron Emission Tomography)
·      CT (Computed Tomography) scans between 1-10 mSV depending on the area.
·      Professionals exposed to radiology may reach 50mSv.
·      Exposure to 100-250 mSv increases risk of cancer, skin problems and digestive disorders.
·      Exposure to 500 mSv causes leucopenia and 7000 mSv will cause death.
The most radio-sensitive tissues are the intestinal epithelium, reproductive organs (ovaries/testes), blood, bone marrow and thyroid gland.

Cancer patients often receive radiation either alone, or with chemotherapy and surgery. Health care providers should be aware of the adverse effects of radiation and how to potentially support the patient. Side effects can be early on (acute) or later effects on the tissue can occur over time. There is also a risk of radiation-induced secondary malignancies (RISMs).
The side effects will vary from patient to patient and will depend on several factors such as age, body size, the exposed area or location, the dose delivered and the radio-sensitivity of the organ, other prior/concomitant treatments, BMI (low BMI = diarrhea risk), associated infections, anaemia and general health. Children are more sensitive to radiation. Studies on the adverse effects of radiotherapy and the use of homoeopathy are limited. Kulkarni (1988) used Cobaltum 30ch or Causticum 30ch or placebo and observed a 30% reduction in the homoeopathic group compared to placebo group. Pommier (2004) used either Calendula ointment or Trolamine topically for acute dermatitis following radiotherapy in breast cancer patients.  The outcome was that Calendula is highly effective for the prevention of acute dermatitis of grade 2 or higher and should be proposed for postoperative irradiation for breast cancer. Balzarini (2000) used Belladonna 7ch and X-ray 15ch or placebo in breast cancer patients and observed a reduction in severity (particularly heat/irritation of skin) in the homoeopathic group.

Homoeopathic support during radiotherapy brings extra comfort by reducing the actinic effects such as erythema, dryness and fatigue.  Skin starts to regenerate 7 to 10 days after the end of irradiation. Homoeopathic radioactive antidotes could include:
Radium bromatum 15- 30ch and Phosphorus 30ch are first-line remedies. Radium bromatum is the first antidote. Boericke states: itching all over the body, burning of skin as if on fire.
X-ray 30 or 200ch acts as an isopathic antidote for X-ray injuries. Boericke states repeated exposure to X-rays has produced skin lesions followed by cancer.
Fluoricum acidum 30ch – skin lesions with itching and intense redness, aggravated by heat. Persistent scarring and inflammation. Indicated in deep destructive processes.
Causticum 30ch– for radiation burns, rawness, non-healing wounds/slow healing, burning pain, itching. Helps skin to recover faster, helps with scarring, fibrosis. Often given routinely after completion of radiotherapy. Boericke states: old burns that do not get well and ill effects from burns.
Apis mellifica can be considered for pink-red skin with slight oedema and a stinging sensation. Improvement with cold water.
Arsenicum album for dry, itching skin with burning, skin retraction and difficult healing.
Kali iodatum 30ch – Dana Ullman recommends this remedy to detoxify from radioactive iodine.
Sol 30ch is usually used for sunstroke but some irradiated patients have increased sensitivity to sunlight and it can be used after radiotherapy.
Organotherapy: Bone marrow – white cell production decreases in 48 hours after radiation (leucopenia). Bone marrow 4ch and Skin 4ch (burns) are possible remedies.

Additional support:

Chlorella, an unicellular green algae (high in chlorophyll) has detoxifying, anti-tumour and immune stimulating activity. Spirulina was used after the Chernobyl accident – 5g for 45 days reduced urinary radioactivity by 50% after 20 days. Spirulina accelerates removal of radio-nucleotides from the body. A combination of Spirulina and Chlorella could be prescribed.

Encourage the patient to consume more of the following: Miso (soybean paste) which has shown radio-protective effects in mice, seaweeds such as nori, wakame, kombu – these have protective and detoxifying effects (high in iodine and act as chelators), bee pollen (stimulates bone marrow), olive oil (contains oleuropein), mushroom supplements as modulators of the immune system, antioxidants, foods high in pectin – apples, citrus, quince. Green tea is rich in polyphenols which detoxify and provide antioxidants. Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) seems to be particularly effective to reduce side effects of radiation.

The intestinal epithelium is sensitive to radiation and L-glutamine may act as fuel for tissue damaged by radiotherapy. L- glutamine decreases mucosal damage.

Herbs which may have radio-protective effects: Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Tumeric (Curcuma longa), Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), Ginger (Zingiber officinale).

The following constituents may be beneficial after radiation:  

Garlic (allicin)
Chaga mushroom (betulinic acid)
Pomegranate (ellagic acid)
Olives (oleuropein)
Citrus rind (tangeritin)
Milk thistle (silymarin)
Sandalwood (alpha-santolol) essential oil for radiodermatitis
Resveratrol
Aloe vera gel or Calendula ointment for radiation induced dermatitis. Do not use 24 hours prior to radiotherapy. Use immediately after radiation and apply at least twice a day on the irradiated area.
Epsom salt baths – sulphates and magnesium salts detoxify. Add Epsom salts to baths.

References:

Anderson P.M., Lalla R.V. (2020) Glutamine for amelioration of radiation and chemotherapy associated mucositis during cancer therapy. Nutrients 12(6):1675.

Bagot JL. (2014) Cancer & Homeopathy: How to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and hormone therapy. Kandern, Germany: Unimedica/Narayana Verlag

Balzarini A., Felisi E., Martini A., De Conno F. (2000) Efficacy of homeopathic treatment of skin reactions during radiotherapy for breast cancer: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial. British Homeopath Journal 89 (1):8-12

Cabrera C. (2023) Chapter 5 in Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to reducing cancer risk, helping patients thrive during treatment and minimizing recurrence. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing pp143-236.

Kulkarni A., Nagarkar B.M., Burde G.S. (1988) Radiation protection by the use of homoeopathic medicines. Hahnemann Homoeopath Sandesh 12(1):20-23.

Majeed H., Gupta V. (2023) Adverse effects of radiation therapy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island Florida: StatPearls Publishing.

Pommier P., Gomez F., Sunyach MP, D’Hombres A., Carrie C., Montbarbon X. (2004) Phase 3 randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with Trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 22(8):1447-53.

Ratera M.M. (2016) First Aid with Homeopathy: The ultimate medical guide for travellers and athletes, also covering work-related accidents and major disasters. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Verlag.