Turmeric supplementation improves the quality of life and hematological parameters in breast cancer patients on paclitaxel chemotherapy: A case series

• Published in: Complementary therapies in clinical practice Vol. 41; p. 101247
• Main Authors: Kalluru, Hindu, Kondaveeti, Satish S., Telapolu, Srivani, Kalachaveedu, Mangathayaru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2020; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Appetite loss; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Chemotherapy; Curcuma; Curcuma longa; Curcumin; Dietary Supplements; Fatigue; Health status; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Herb-drug interactions; Humans; Insomnia; Myelosuppression; Nausea; Paclitaxel - therapeutic use; Pain; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Symptoms; Vomiting; Hemoglobin; Myelosuppression; Curcumin; Curcuma longa; Herb-drug interactions; Symptoms
• ISSN: 1744-3881; 1873-6947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101247

and purpose: Phytochemicals are proven to be effective in targeting numerous signaling pathways in cancer. Utilizing plant-based support in combination with currently approved chemotherapeutic strategies might prove a feasible method to improve therapeutic outcomes in cancer patients. The present study aimed to estimate the effect of turmeric supplementation on quality of life (QoL) and hematological parameters in breast cancer patients on Paclitaxel chemotherapy.
The present study is a prospective consecutive case series with 60 participants. QoL was assessed using a standard questionnaire and hematological parameters were recorded from the patients' hospital records.
Turmeric supplementation for 21 days resulted in clinically relevant and statistically significant improvement in global health status, symptom scores (fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, appetite loss, insomnia), and hematological parameters.
The study findings show that turmeric supplementation improved QoL, brought about symptom palliation and increased hematological parameters in breast cancer patients.
•Prospective, consecutive case series study on turmeric supplementation in breast cancer patients on paclitaxel chemotherapy.•Clinically relevant, statistically significant improvement in QOL and hematological parameters observed.•The 21 day supplementation at 2g/d dose beneficially modulated chemotherapy-related adverse effects.