This detailed review of natural compounds that show promise in the treatment of cancer is accessible to physicians, patients, and researchers interested in alternative cancer treatments and herbal medicine. It synthesizes the body of information on these natural compounds, proposes a thesis for how herbal medicine might be used in cancer treatment, and constructs a framework for understanding new information as more data becomes available. Research studies, dose calculation toxicology, and other aspects of clinical use are evaluated, and original research is presented. Part I discusses various events involved in cancer progression at the cellular level, and Part II discusses events at the level of the organism. Both sections also discuss how natural compounds affect these events. Part III examines individual compounds, evidence for their efficacy, and clinical considerations. Boik received a Masters degree from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. He is on the editorial review board of the journal Alternative Medicine Review . Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
