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>Professional Evaluation/ Critique
"A 1982 study by the Canadian government of cancer patients taking Essiac found that
patients did not benefit from it, and laboratory research conducted in 1983 by the U.S. National Cancer Institute found
no merit to the product." (Cassileth)
"...360 patients with breast, prostate or GI cancer attending outpatient clinics at Princess Margaret were surveyed regarding their experiences with Essiac... Of patients on Essiac, 30% felt it had helped them. The benefit was described as psychological in 54%, physical in 29% and unspecified in the remainder." (Karn)
"Long term anthranoid laxative [eg. rhein and emodin found in essiac] use is correlated with
increased risk of colon cancer." (Van Gorkom)
"The review of all the information about Essiac for the task force reveals some weak evidence of its effectiveness and suggests that Essiac is unlikely to cause serious side effects when used as directed. However, the nature and quality of studies reporting benefit are such that the findings can only be regarded as preliminary. High-quality and open-minded research into the effects of this popular unconventional therapy is needed. The principal danger of this and other unconventional therapies is that they may delay the diagnosis and conventional treatment of serious diseases." (Kaegi)
"Keith I. Block, M.D., director of Cancer Care at the Edgewater Medical Center in Chicago, is among those physicians who do not regard Essiac as particularly powerful against cancer. It is possible that Essiac is less effective today than it was decades ago. Certainly our diet and environment have become increasingly polluted since the early 1900's, and that places a growing burden on the body's immune and detoxification systems." (Diamond)
Dr. K.J.R. Wightman, medical director of the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation and a former president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons commented on the studies: "In the past three months there has been considerable emotion and concern regarding a herbal remedy for cancer (Essiac). During this period the preparation as supplied by Nurse Caisse from Bracebridge has been tested by a reputable investigator on patients with a variety of malignancies... there is
no evidence of any alteration in the disease process of any of the patients. However subjective improvements in the sense of well being were noted in a number of the patients, although this could or could not be a placebo effect."
Caisse's story, which was published in Homemaker's Magazine (Toronto) in 1977 precipitated a great deal of public interest and resulted in scientific investigation.
In one trial, out of 40 patients, 18 have died and 15 have been withdrawn because of definite deterioration. Four who had initially very slowly progressive disease continue on the preparation but have shown no response. The remaining three patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia had no change in any parameter of their disease status. Data on a further 25 patients are being compiled by a separate investigator with similar results. "These unequivocal
negative statistics refute any claims made as to the efficacy of this cancer cure with the material provided in the suggested dosage schedules." (Wightman)
The Health Protection Branch (Canada) contacted 150 physicians who were known to have received supplies of Essiac from Resperin Corporation in Toronto for individual patients. Replies from 74 of the physicians concerning 86 patients revealed that "47 patients reported no benefits; 8 of the reports were not evaluable; 17 patients had died; 1 patient was reported to have had a subjective improvement; 5 patients were reported as requiring less analgesia; 4 patients were said to have an objective response; and 4 patients were in a stable condition." In 1982, the 8 patients who had an objective response or who had remained stable were re-examined by their physicians and the following results were obtained:
"In 3 of the 8 the disease had progressed; 2 had died; and 3 were remaining stable. The 3 stable patients' histories were further documented and it is the impression of the Health Protection Branch that in these cases the stability was due to other forms of treatment. The conclusion from these 86 patients must therefore be that
Essiac had not altered the progression of cancer in these patients, and did not show any specific benefit with the exception of a possible placebo effect in some cases." (Sproul)
In a later issue, Homemaker's Magazine printed the following retraction: "The two doctors who tested Essiac - Caisse's herbal tea which appeared to have merit in the treatment of cancer - have concluded that there is
no evidence that the preparation cures cancer... they revealed that Essiac had been given to 60 cancer patients, and that the results were 'without evidence of any alteration in the disease process...'" (Hughes)
Prior to signing over the formula for Essiac to the Resperin Corporation, Caisse refused to share her secret remedy. At least eight offers to help her achieve recognition and distribution for Essiac were made. Some were from scientific groups, some from laymen. She rejected them all. (Fraser)
In 1936 Dr. Banting of the Banting Institute offered to provide Mrs. Caisse with mice inoculated with mouse sarcoma, provide her with chickens inoculated with Rouse sarcoma and "the animals will be placed at her disposal in the laboratory within the hours of 9-5." She was not asked to divulge any secrets concerning her treatment. This offer by the Banting Institute was turned down by Mrs. Caisse.
At some time in the 1950s, Dr. Shields Warren of the U.S. National Cancer Institute suggested they would do animal tests but this was rejected by Mrs. Caisse when it was found that the Cancer Institute would require the formula. (Boyes)
"Dr. D. Walde of Sault Ste. Marie, obtained some Essiac and tested it on 40 patients with proven cancer.
In none of these patients was there any measurable improvement." (Boyes) (Walde)
"However, despite its long use as a folkloric remedy, no solid evidence exists that burdock exhibits any useful therapeutic activity." (Tyler)
"There are a number of herbal distributors who claim to sell the original Essiac. However, there are also disputes about whether certain brands are the real thing." (Ontario)"<
