Curcumin—a compound found in the curry spice turmeric—may help reduce breast cancer risk for women undergoing hormone replacement therapy during menopause, a new animal study suggests.
In previous research, postmenopausal women taking a combined estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy have shown an increased risk of developing progestin-accelerated breast tumors. But in recent tests on rats, scientists discovered that treatment with curcumin decreased mammary-tumor incidence among progestin-exposed animals. According to the study's authors, these findings indicate that women receiving hormone replacement therapy could potentially take curcumin to protect against the development of progestin-accelerated tumors.
There are a number of natural approaches to dealing with menopausal symptoms. Following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and using herbal medicine, for instance, all may provide hormonal support during menopause.
