Curcumin is an ingredient extracted from the spice turmeric. In Asia, turmeric is often used to treat a variety of conditions, including heartburn and arthritis. Recent studies suggest that curcumin may help prevent or treat cancer.
It is generally believed that curcumin has antioxidant properties, which means it can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Since inflammation plays a role in the process of carcinogenesis, curcumin might theoretically have anti-cancer effects.
Some laboratory and animal studies have also found that curcumin can slow the spread of cancer cells, inhibit the growth of new blood vessels in tumors, and cause cancer cells to die. However, whether these effects of curcumin are useful in humans is still being studied. Researchers are also investigating whether it can help prevent cancer in people at high risk.
Therefore, the medical community does not yet have enough evidence to recommend curcumin as a method for preventing or treating cancer, but cancer patients may consider trying it after consulting their doctors.