Pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, occurs in the cells of the pancreas, a large gland behind your stomach that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagons. Doctors don't know what causes pancreatic cancer, but it's more common in smokers. Many kinds of herbs have been confirmed to have cancer-fighting properties, particularly in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, you must always check with your doctor as some herbs may produce side effects.
Green Tea
The main polyphenol in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate, has been reported to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in pancreatic cancer cell lines in culture, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Resistance toward apoptosis promotes cell survival in cancer cells. Polyphenolic compounds in green tea sensitize cancer cells' resistance to apoptosis.
Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng, an herbal formula derived from a medicinal plant of Asian origin, is often prescribed for pancreatic cancer patients. Constituents found in Asian ginseng include ginsenosides, which are thought to suppress malignant transformation and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and tumors, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Garlic
Organo-sulfur compounds found in garlic have been reported to alter the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in animal research models, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These sulfur-containing compounds, especially allicin and alliin, act as antioxidants and deactivate harmful free radicals that exist naturally in your body. Free radicals may build up in cells and tamper with DNA, which increases the risk of cancer.
References
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Pancreatic Cancer
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
- "Anticancer Research"; Chemopreventive Effects of Heat-Processed Panax Quinquefolius Root on Human Breast Cancer Cells; Chong-Zhi Wang; May 4, 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asian Ginseng
- Emory University: Can Green Tea Be a Cancer-Fighter?
