The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2010 in the United States, nearly 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. There are treatments for the disease, but many women use supplements to help to control side effects or to help to kill cancer cells. Prior to taking any of these supplements, it is important to notify your cancer care team because some supplements may interfere with treatment or medications. Herbal supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it is best to take precautions before using them.
Ginseng
Ginseng, both Asian and American, is a supplement that has shown promise in use with cancer patients. Ginseng comes from a root and has been traditionally used by Native Americans to treat headache, indigestion, fever and infertility, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. American and Asian ginseng are derived from the plant genus Panax, which has been shown to help boost the immune system, reduce the risk of cancer and improve overall well-being, although more studies need to be performed for definitive evidence. American ginseng may slow down tumor growth, which may be helpful with ovarian cancer. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, American ginseng showed anti-cancer properties when used with rats with colorectal cancer; it is thought that these properties may carry over to other cancers.
Ginger
According to a study written up in the American Association for Cancer Research journal "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention," ginger has shown anti-tumor properties in animals. Ginger extracts have been effective in suppressing development of cancer cells and promoting cell death of cancer cells in test tubes with leukemia, gastric, prostate and ovarian cancers. When used in animals, ginger has been shown to suppress cancer development in skin, colon and breast cancer. More research needs to be done with ginger and cancer, especially ovarian cancer, but this supplement may be beneficial in the future. Ginger has also been used to treat nausea and increase appetite, says drugs.com. This can be beneficial to women with ovarian cancer who are nauseated from chemotherapy and patients who experience a lack of appetite from cancer treatment.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba comes from the ginkgo tree and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for years. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, this herb has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis and fatigue. More recently, it has been used to help improve memory, tinnitus and sexual dysfunction. According to a study at Harvard Medical School, in the journal "Cancer Letters," in vitro studies using healthy cells and ovarian cancer cells and ginkgo extract showed that the herb had cancer suppression effects on serous ovarian cancer cells, but not mucinous ovarian cancer cells. More research needs to be done to fully establish the effects of ginkgo biloba on ovarian cancer, but studies look promising.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: American ginseng
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbs and supplements for ovarian cancer
- American Association for Cancer Research: Pharmacokinetics of 6-Gingerol, 8-Gingerol, 10-Gingerol and 6-Shogaol and conjugate metabolites in healthy human subjects
- Drugs: Ginger
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ginkgo
- "Cancer Letters": Ginkgo biloba and ovarian cancer prevention: Epidemiological and biological evidence
