Wheat Germ Extract & Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer develops when cells in a woman's ovaries become abnormal, growing out of control and forming a cancerous tumor. The tumor may eventually spread to other parts of the body, causing serious, sometimes life-threatening illness. Wheat germ extract, or WGE, is a supplement with natural anti-cancer properties that may help prevent or slow the growth of ovarian cancer. Talk to your doctor about WGE to decide if it might be helpful for your situation.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

In early stages, ovarian cancer may be symptom-free. Eventually, a sense of pressure or pain may begin in the abdomen, pelvis or back; the abdomen may swell; or nausea, bowel changes, fatigue or shortness of breath might develop. Although the cause of ovarian cancer is not known, risk factors include having a family history of ovarian cancer or a personal history of a different type of cancer, being over 55 and never having been pregnant. Another possible risk factor is having taken estrogen without progesterone for 10 or more years.

Wheat Germ Extract

Wheat germ extract comes from the small, protein-rich germinal portion of wheat grains. It is fermented with yeast in a process developed by Hungarian scientists, producing a supplement that contains several biologically active compounds. WGE is available under the brand name Avemar. According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC, fermented WGE has many medicinal benefits, generally boosting the immune system, helping prevent cardiovascular disease and stopping growth and spread of different cancers.

Evidence

Experts at MSKCC have summarized findings from several laboratory studies indicating that fermented wheat germ extract blocks growth of cancer cells, stopping them from dividing and killing them. When fed to experimental animals, WGE protects them from carcinogenic compounds and slows growth and spread of cancerous tumors. Fermented WGE has also been the subject of a number of clinical trials on humans. In one study published in "Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmacology" in 2008, participants with advanced melanoma who consumed Avemar during chemotherapy had better outcomes and survived longer that others who received only chemotherapy. Another study involving subjects with advanced head and neck cancer, published in "Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism" in 2008, found that consuming fermented WGE produced an improved life quality for these participants compared to a placebo group. All these results, along with the positive findings of laboratory studies, suggest WGE may be a useful preventive or therapy for ovarian cancer. However, large clinical trials with human subjects and ovarian cancer are still needed to confirm this.

Recommendations

Fermented wheat germ extract is available in capsules or tablets from health-food stores. Although generally considered safe, WGE may cause mild diarrhea, nausea or dizziness. Do not take fermented WGE if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you are gluten-intolerant. WGE may increase activity of estrogen receptors. Although it is unknown whether estrogen has a role in ovarian cancer, discuss this and other aspects of WGE with your doctor before adding it to your regimen.