The use of the fungi as a cancer treatment is well established in Asian cultures, but the message has been slow to get through to doctors in the west.

However, a Cancer Research UK report published on Monday suggests medicinal mushrooms may well boost the immune systems of cancer patients, help combat tumours, and alleviate the side effects of radio and chemotherapy.

The report's author, Richard Sullivan, said: 'A vast amount of information has been collated which suggests that compounds derived from mushrooms could have a hugely beneficial influence on the way cancer is treated.' He added: 'We hope that more western cancer doctors will be encouraged to set up trials to assess the potential of these compounds in treating cancer. It is far too soon to say if mushrooms in the diet play a part in preventing cancer, but it is worth investigating.' More than 270 varieties of mushrooms are known to have therapeutic properties. The active compounds in exotic mushrooms are complex sugars called polysaccharides, which are said to enhance the activity of the immune system, but Cancer Research stressed the mushrooms would be subjected to thorough western medical trials before they were used with patients.

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