Curry Could Prevent Recurrence Of Head And Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancer patients, who got the disease from smoking and continue to smoke after successful treatment, may benefit from eating curry powder, according to a new paper presented to a health conference in San Diego, Calif.

The study used an in vitro model of different head and neck cancer cell lines. The cells were pre-treated with curcumin, the compound that gives curry its yellow/orange color. Then the scientists introduced nicotine to the cell lines.

The scientists said in a statement that the curcumin was able to block the nicotine from activating cancer-causing cells.

Nicotine has not been proven to be a carcinogen, but it has been shown to encourage the cancer-forming process.

There are about 40,000 new cases of head and neck cancers every year in the United States, and about 13,000 deaths. Worldwide, there are about 500,000 new cases of the disease. Scientists say much of the recurrence is because many patients still smoke after being successfully treated, or former smokers use nicotine-replacement therapy to get off cigarettes.

The paper will be presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in San Diego.

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