Turmeric is touted to have many benefits, such as reducing inflammation and preventing cancer. from www.shutterstock.com.au April 23, 2017 Science or Snake Oil: can turmeric really shrink tumours, reduce pain and kill bacteria? Gunveen Kaur, Deakin University Turmeric is often reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer properties.