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Curcumin for breast cancer control?

Page last modified on: October 14, 2008

Question from GPonds: Do you have an opinion on taking curcumin? It seems that out of all the herbs, this one has had the most research done on it about breast cancer control.: Answers —Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D.: Curcumin indeed is one of the herbs that has been studied most extensively. Its major clinical potential is in the prevention of colon polyps and possibly also colon cancer. Research done on breast cancer has been conducted in animal models, where a beneficial effect was observed. The problem with curcumin is the question of bioavailability, meaning how much you have to take to deliver enough curcumin to the cancer tissue. At this point, we do not know that information. Therefore curcumin remains a promising agent; indeed, it is being studied in many laboratories and clinical studies. The risk of curcumin include it may make the blood thinner in people taking blood thinners. Also people with gall bladder problems should not take it.; Beth DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.: It can also reduce the effectiveness of certain chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. So again, please be very open with your physician about any supplements you are taking during treatment.

On Wednesday, July 18, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Vitamins and Herbal Supplements. Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about how to safely and sensibly incorporate vitamins and supplements into your diet.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. is an internist and researcher with the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is a principal investigator or co-principal investigator in several NIH-funded research projects in the Integrative Medicine Service.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. the medical director of the Breast Health Program at Holy Redeemer Health System in Meadowbrook, PA.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.

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