The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a medical professional organization that convenes a large conference once each year to discuss the latest research in clinical cancer care. Topics and research presented at this meeting range far and wide. From the best ways to use existing chemotherapy medications to new drugs and the use of dietary supplements in cancer care, the ASCO meeting covers it all. It is an important gathering of the leading minds in cancer medicine and helps oncology professionals learn about how best to care for their patients.
While most of us can't afford to travel to this and the many other medical meetings that take place each year, we can learn about what goes on at these gatherings. Health care professionals and medical scientists who are scheduled to present their research at these meetings submit descriptions, called abstracts, of what they will talk about. In many cases, these descriptions are available on the websites of the professional organizations who are hosting the meeting. This is true of ASCO and one of the research descriptions from their upcoming meeting (May 29-June 2, 2009) caught my eye.
Having worked with many cancer patients over the years who struggled to manage the side effects of cancer treatment, I am especially interested in, and happy to share information about, safe ways to better manage these symptoms. There are many medications that are vitally important to side effect management in cancer care, but for some people, these medications don't alleviate 100% of side effects. Researchers continue to study ways to use these medications more effectively. The upcoming research presentation at ASCO looked at precisely this issue.
The researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, considered the "gold standard" of study designs, to determine if adding ginger supplements to anti-nausea medication would help the medication work better. A total of 644 patients enrolled in the study and were randomized to receive one of the following:
- Anti-nausea medication (5-HT3 antagonist) alone (placebo)
- Anti-nausea medication (5-HT3 antagonist) plus a supplement of 0.5 grams of ginger per day
- Anti-nausea medication (5-HT3 antagonist) plus a supplement of 1.0 grams of ginger per day
- Anti-nausea medication (5-HT3 antagonist) plus a supplement of 1.5 grams of ginger per day
The researchers report that the people receiving the ginger supplement at any dose had significantly less nausea than those receiving the placebo (no ginger supplement). They noted that the best reduction in nausea occurred in people who received the 0.5 and the 1.0 gram/day doses of ginger. The 1.5 gram dose did not offer any additional benefit.
The Bottom Line
Key points of this research include:
- Ginger was not given in place of regular anti-nausea medication. It was given in addition to these medications, to help the medications work better.
- Ginger cannot replace anti-nausea medications, but it may help these medications more effectively stop nausea in people receiving chemotherapy.
- The most effective doses of ginger were 0.5 grams per day and 1.0 grams per day.
- Ginger was taken in 250 milligram (mg) pills.
- To take 0.5 grams (500 mg), you need two, 250 mg pills per day.
- To take 1.0 grams (1000 mg), you need four, 250 mg pills per day.
- For best effect, doses should be spread out and taken 2 to 4 times per day, rather than all at once.
- Most importantly, always ask your doctor if it is OK to use any dietary supplement, including ginger. Do not take supplements without discussing this with your doctor first.
If you're interested in further reading on this topic, the National Cancer Institute has additional information and a description of this research you may want to check out.
