Studies have not established the effect of ginger on breast cancer
Ginger refers to the fresh or dried rhizome (underground stem) of the ginger plant (Zingiber officianale Roscoe). Ginger contains numerous compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-arthritic, hypotensive, antiatherogenic, radioprotective and antiemetic properties. Ginger is believed to affect serotonin receptors in the digestive tract and it has been traditionally used to aid digestion and treat stomach upset and nausea (including pregnancy-related "morning sickness"). Ginger may assist in prevention of the progression of type 2 diabetes through its hypoglycemic effects and by increasing insulin sensitivity. Ginger also contains components shown to have anti-cancer effects, including various gingerols, shogaols, paradols, as well as β-elemene, gingerdione and zingerone. Ginger has been shown to have protective effect in cell and animal prostate cancer models and to suppress colorectal, skin and lung carcinogenesis in laboratory animals. Ginger has also been shown to inhibit the growth of leukemia cells, as well as gastric, pancreatic, liver and ovarian cancer cells in the laboratory.
Breast cancer-related effects of eating ginger
Ginger has been found to significantly inhibit mammary tumorigenesis and tumor growth in laboratory mice when fed in drinking water. [6]-gingerol, a component of ginger, has been shown to inhibit cell adhesion, invasion, and motility in ER-negative (estrogen independent) human breast cancer cells in the laboratory. While ginger appears to have promise in fighting breast cancer and is safe to include in the diet, not enough evidence is available for us to put ginger on our "recommended" list of foods.
Additional comments
Ginger has been found to be effective in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The key appears to be to take the ginger before undergoing a chemotherapy treatment as well as afterwards. However, this reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms may be accompanied by a reduction in the effectiveness of the chemotherapy and we do not recommend it.
Because ginger can inhibit platelet aggregation and block clot formation, concurrent use with Warfarin (coumadin) and other blood-thinning therapy may increase the risk of bleeding.
Edible tropical ginger (Zingiber zerumbet Smith), also known as subtropical ginger, contains compounds such as zerumbone and 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, which have been shown to have anti-breast cancer effects in the laboratory. However, note that this ginger is typically not sold in the U.S. and many "tropical gingers" are inedible ornamental plants. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense), which is used in some weight loss and Chinese herbal preparations, should be avoided. Wild ginger incorporates aristolochic acid, which has been shown to be toxic to the kidneys and is a suspected human carcinogen.
Ginger ale or ginger beer is a soft drink that, as formulated commercially in the U.S., typically contains high amounts of sugar and low or nonexistent amounts of ginger. For example Canada Dry regular ginger ale contains the following ingredients: carbonated water, high fructose syrup and/or sugar, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium benzoate and caramel color.
Note that while we are continually searching for new evidence specifically concerning this food, there is not much interest in it among breast cancer researchers, so few studies are available.