Turmeric and Breast Cancer

Turmeric is a flowering plant in the ginger family that is native to Southeast Asia, but is grown around the world. 

The underground part of the turmeric plant is dried and ground into the spice that is known for its distinctive golden color. It is used as a spice in curry, mustard, cheese, and other dishes.

The active substance in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is an antioxidant; antioxidants help protect cells from damage.

Besides seeing turmeric in the spice aisle at the grocery store, you may also find it in the health section, available as a supplement. That’s because some studies suggest that eating turmeric may reduce common health problems, such as inflammation and pain. 

In studies of people receiving breast cancer treatment, results suggest that turmeric may:

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  improve quality of life by easing fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia, and loss of appetite

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  reduce rates of hand-foot syndrome in people receiving Xeloda (chemical name: capecitabine)

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  help reduce inflammation and pain in people taking an aromatase inhibitor for early-stage breast cancer, when combined with hydroxytyrosol (a compound in extra virgin olive oil) and omega-3 fatty acids

Research also suggests that turmeric may:

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  reduce depression

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  ease gastrointestinal symptoms caused by as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis

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  help treat knee arthritis

It’s generally safe to use turmeric as a spice in food, golden milk, and tea. But make sure you talk to your doctor before consuming large amounts of turmeric or taking daily turmeric (or curcumin) supplements. Supplements contain much more turmeric than the amount found in foods and drinks.

This talk with your doctor is particularly important if you have a personal or family history of kidney stones or are taking certain medicines. Turmeric supplements may increase your risk of kidney stones. These supplements can also change the way some medicines work.

Turmeric may interact with many medicines. Research suggests that large amounts of turmeric may lessen the effects of certain chemotherapy medicines, including Cytoxan (chemical name: cyclophosphamide) and Adriamycin (chemical name: doxorubicin). It may also decrease the effects of tamoxifen.

Turmeric may also reduce how well aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen work.

If you’re taking Coumadin (chemical name: warfarin) or another blood thinner, turmeric may increase your risk of bleeding.

The amount of turmeric found in food, tea, or golden milk is safe for most people.

Consuming large amounts of turmeric supplements for long periods of time is when side effects happen, including:

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  rash and hives

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  liver problems

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  anemia

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  low white blood cell counts

Research on turmeric is difficult because there isn’t a standard dose. So the amount of curcumin in turmeric products varies widely depending on how the turmeric is processed and what form it’s in (tablets, capsules, gummies). Because of this uncertainty, it’s best to check in with your doctor about turmeric supplements.

“[C]onsuming turmeric in a spice or food form should be very safe,” said Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, CSO, a clinical oncology dietitian at Trinity Health Lacks Cancer Center. “Taking high doses of it as a supplement might cause problems, so it’s imperative that people check with their doctors before they start supplementing.”