There is no convincing evidence for the benefits of homeopathy in cancer treatment, according to Cancer Research UK.

Some patients use homeopathic medicines - which consist of highly diluted substances derived from plants, minerals and animals - in an attempt to relieve the side-effects of conventional anti-cancer therapies, which can include nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, dermatitis and menopausal symptoms, the organisation said.

However, doctors advise that homeopathic medicine should not be taken to treat cancer itself and should only be used to complement cancer treatment if desired.

The comments by Cancer Research UK come in spite of a recent Cochrane review, which suggested that homeopathic medicines might ease the side-effects of cancer treatment.

Laura Bell, Cancer Research UK’s science information officer, said that the review was very limited.

"Over the years, research in this area has produced mixed results. In keeping with this, most of the research reviewed in this study was of a low standard and provides no extra insight into the benefits of homeopathy,” she said.

"One more rigorous study showed a cream might help with skin irritation caused by radiotherapy. Another showed a mouthwash may be able to give relief from mouth sores caused by chemotherapy. But the studies were small and have only been done once,” Ms Bell added.

According to Cancer Research UK, more scientifically robust evidence is needed to show if homeopathy might help to relieve the side-effects of cancer treatment.