Dear Dr. Roach: Is there any evidence that taking turmeric prevents cancer? I have a friend who is convinced that it does. M.S.
Answer: There are hundreds of cancers, some of which we can treat and a few of which we can prevent. Turmeric cannot, unfortunately, prevent all cancers.
There are reasons to think that turmeric may have benefits. Some studies have suggested benefit in certain types of cancers, including leukemias and colon and prostate cancers, but I have to emphasize that turmeric (or its active substance, curcumin) is not, by itself, a completely effective preventive or treatment for cancer. Even people taking large amounts of turmeric and with an outstanding diet can get cancer. Turmeric may help other treatments (chemotherapy, radiation) work better; it may help people feel better so they can tolerate more treatment; and it has hormone-like effects that may be useful for treating some cancers and possibly harmful when treating others.
A recent study suggested that people who use alternative treatments for cancer had worse outcomes than people who did not. This prompts a reminder that potential therapies like curcumin should be recommended only as part of comprehensive cancer care and only after discussion with a cancer specialist.
Dear Dr. Roach: I share some of the same providers as other family members, and occasionally I will get from a support staff person: We just saw your family member last week or How is your family member doing? But sometimes there is a slip from the provider themselves: Well, you know this runs in your family. My worst experience came from my family doctors nurse. I went to my family members house and was specifically asked: Did you get linked up with that new specialist and get your meds? I stood stunned. After inquiring, I was told: Oh, I was at the doctors office last week and his nurse told me about how frustrated he was with getting you linked up. Did he get it done? This is an ongoing pet peeve of mine, and I feel that my privacy is violated. H.W.
Answer: Your privacy has been violated, and you are right to be upset. A medical professional discussing your medical issues with a family member without your explicit permission is a breach of medical ethics. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act allows your physician to use his or her best judgment about notification of family members, but it seems to me, based on what you are telling me, that he should not have shared your information. If you had objected to sharing your information, what he did would have been a clear violation of the law. If you still wish to continue with the same provider, you should make your wishes for your privacy clearly known. You shouldnt have had to do this, but that is an option now. You also may want to have a different provider from the rest of your family. I have patients whose family members have chosen different primary care doctors for the sake of privacy.
