Herbal medicine and cancer prevention: Myth or not?

Introduction Cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Many studies have been conducted to investigate the prevention and treatment of cancer. Till date, no absolute preventative and curable agent has been found. Complementary and alternative medicine modalities are commonly used for cancer prevention and care. A very well-known type of these modalities is herbal medicine. Many of the drugs in cancer care originated from natural products. As a healthy diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, is one of the protective factors for cancer; plants and derivatives are the focus of many studies. Green tea, lycopene and selenium are some of them. In this review, the association between cancer prevention and herbal medicine is discussed. Conclusion Although a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables is crucial for cancer prevention, herbal remedies and specific dietary supplements have not been shown to prevent cancer, till date. Further studies should be conducted on this issue regarding standardisation, possible side effects, drug interactions and personal characteristics.